Denver Protests Day 8: Thousands Continue To March Past Curfew

DENVER, CO — More than 1,000 protesters stayed in downtown Denver Thursday night after the 9 p.m. curfew took effect. The protesters marched for the eight consecutive night throughout the city's main arteries, chanting slogans about racial inequality in the aftermath of George Floyd's death.

The Black Lives Matter logo was projected onto the Colorado State Capitol as the post-curfew marches and rallies were underway.

The protests remained peaceful; however, a man was hospitalized after he was shot around 10:15 p.m., police said. The man reportedly tried to attack several protesters with a hatchet, according to multiple reports. An investigation was underway.

Earlier in the evening, officers with the Denver Police Department were seen riding on bikes alongside the marching protesters, and other officers were handing out hundreds of bottles of water.

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.

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Thousands of people defied the curfew Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 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 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.

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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.

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 a report by Fox 31. The 35-year-old Lakewood man remembers hearing a loud bang, and then being severely injured.

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.