Denver Protests Day 7: Marches, Sit-Ins, Injured Rally-Goers

DENVER, CO — Several thousand protesters stayed in downtown Denver Wednesday night after the 9 p.m. curfew took effect. The protesters marched for the seventh consecutive night throughout the city's main arteries, chanting slogans about racial inequality in the aftermath of George Floyd's death.

Around 10:30 p.m., more than 1,000 protesters gathered for a sit-in outside the Capitol and held up their phone lights for 9 minutes, 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.

While many protesters have reported injuries during clashes with Denver police, one man was struck so hard by a projectile Saturday that his eye has to be surgically removed, according to Fox 31, which first reported the story. The 35-year-old Lakewood man remembers hearing a loud bang, and then being severely injured.

Hundreds of protesters have been arrested over the past week for defying the curfew, which remains in effect from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. each night until Friday morning. Around 20 people were arrested late Wednesday night, according to the Denver Police Department.

>> All Four Minneapolis Officers Charged As Protests Continue

Thousands of people defied the curfew Monday and Tuesday nights and stayed in the downtown area to participate in peaceful protests; however, dozens of people were arrested both nights, police said.

Hundreds got down on one knee in downtown Denver Tuesday outside the Capitol and Coors Field and held 9 minutes of silence in a tribute to Floyd.

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

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 have been working to clean up Civic Center Park this week after the destruction.

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