Denver Protests Day 6: Hundreds Gather For Post-Curfew Sit-Ins

DENVER, CO — More than 1,000 protesters remained in downtown Denver Tuesday after the curfew took effect at 9 p.m. After curfew warnings went off on hundreds of protesters' phones, they began chanting, "F*** the curfew!"

Protesters gathered in the LoDo neighborhood and outside the Capitol. Hundreds got down on one knee or lay on their stomachs in both areas and held eight minutes and 46 seconds of silence — the same amount of time that a police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on George Floyd's neck. Floyd died in police custody in Minneapolis May 25.

Earlier Tuesday evening, protesters staged a sit-in at Civic Center Park.

Some protesters remained in downtown Denver early Wednesday morning, and police deployed tear gas and pepper balls on 14th Street to clear the area. Around two dozen protesters were arrested, police said.

The curfew is in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night until Friday morning.

More than 1,000 people defied the curfew Monday night and stayed in the downtown area to participate in peaceful protests; however, by early Tuesday morning, dozens of protesters were arrested, Denver police said.

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Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen linked arms with protesters Monday and marched through the downtown area.

Hundreds of protesters also ignored the curfew Saturday and Sunday night in Denver and clashed with police. Many protesters were seen throwing Molotov cocktails, fireworks and rocks at city buildings and officers. Police confiscated assault rifles, handguns, crow bars, baseball bats and other weapons, the city said.

Windows were broken on many public and private buildings, and graffiti was sprayed on statues, monuments and the Capitol. Business owners were seen trying to protect their stores after windows were broken Sunday night.

Between Thursday night and Tuesday morning, at least 338 people were arrested amid the protests, the city said. In addition to curfew violation charges, many protesters face assault, arson, felony weapons and criminal mischief charges.

Ambulances were attacked "numerous times" during the protests since Thursday, Denver Health Paramedics said. The ambulances and their crews have been out helping injured protesters and members of public safety agencies.

More than 400 volunteers were working to clean up Civic Center Park Monday after the destruction.

An FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has been deployed to Denver to charge those who violate federal law.

In a news conference Tuesday, Gov. Jared Polis asked Coloradans who participated in protests to take advantage of free testing.