"No Kings" protest tests Denver's new police response
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A scene of unrest on Colfax Avenue in May 2020. Photo: Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images
The "No Kings" protest set for Saturday is poised to be the largest local demonstration against President Trump. The question is: Are Mayor Mike Johnston and the Denver Police Department prepared?
Why it matters: Any civil unrest will reveal what Denver has — or hasn't — learned from the mistakes some officers made during the George Floyd protests five years ago.
Driving the news: Johnston and police chief Ron Thomas are projecting confidence ahead of the rally.
- Johnston remains "in close contact" with Thomas and "trusts Denver law enforcement to protect both public safety and free speech," his spokesperson, Jordan Fuja, told us.
- The mayor's office is not ruling out the possibility of a curfew Saturday to disperse crowds.
What they're saying: Johnston told CNN on Wednesday, "We're very confident we can handle [protests] here locally. ... And we have a police department fully prepared to do it."
- "We're certainly hopeful that things don't turn … ugly like they did [Tuesday] night, but [we are] prepared to respond appropriately," Thomas told 9News in an interview.
Flashback: In 2020, Denver police came under intense scrutiny for using excessive force on protesters, journalists and bystanders during demonstrations related to the murder of George Floyd.
- Denver has paid out more than $18 million in settlements related to police officers' mishandling of the protests, and courts ruled DPD used excessive force and violated the civil rights of protesters.
- Thomas acknowledged last year that his department made "mistakes."
The latest: A demonstration Tuesday against ICE ended in a violent clash between demonstrators and Denver police, who wore tactical gear and used smoke and pepper balls to disperse crowds. At least 17 people were arrested for vandalism, obstruction and assaulting officers.
- Denver's police chief said officers did not fire at individuals, aiming instead at the ground and other hard surfaces to spread the irritant.
Zoom in: The agency's crowd control policies now include prohibitions for firing less-lethal equipment directly at individuals, not firing rubber bullets randomly into crowds and announcing before using chemical irritants.
- A police spokesperson declined to share specific planning or staffing strategies, citing safety concerns.
- The agency respects people's right to protest in a "safe and lawful manner," but "assaultive, destructive, and/or highly dangerous behaviors" will prompt police intervention, per a statement.
If you go: Denver's rally is part of a "nationwide day of defiance" in response to Trump's multimillion-dollar military parade Saturday in Washington, D.C.
- The local protest will take place from noon to 4pm at Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park, between the state Capitol and Civic Center Park.
- After that, an anti-ICE protest organized by the Denver Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL Denver) is scheduled at the state Capitol.