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Reconciliation Time

SEVEN DAYS OF PROTEST IN DENVER

Newsroom El Comercio de Colorado

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Denver, like hundreds of other American cities, has experienced turmoil in the streets as another case of police brutality occurred in the case of George Floyd. “Like many in our community, I am outraged by the senseless murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. His life matters and Denver has joined the chorus of those across the country demanding justice and consequences for his death,” says Michael Hancock.

After this statement, Mayor Hancock began a series of pronouncements that will change the city of Denver. Thousands of residents gathered in downtown Denver beginning Thursday, May 28^th, to express their outrage. As the days went by, the number of protesters began to increase, and the phrase “I can’t breathe,” began to be shouted following a lying down position resembling George Floyd’s death.

One day however, the peaceful atmosphere in downtown Denver did a 180 at night. On Friday, May 29^th, several unidentified people raided dozens of commercial establishments on the 16^th Street Mall. “What happened in our city last night – a city we love, was reckless, inexcusable and unacceptable,” stated Hancock.

PERSISTENCE | Concentrations on Capitol Hill have spanned seven days.

SOLIDARIES | Hispanic youth endorsed the protests.

Material Damage and Detainees

Vandalism in downtown Denver forced local authorities to impose a curfew that has spanned seven days. Hancock stated that these measures were taken to keep people safe and protect public and private property in Denver. The material damages exceeded five million dollars.

Authorities report that nearly 400 people have been detained for disrespecting the curfew. Many of these people carried firearms or sharp objects. About thirty percent were not residents of Colorado. Local authorities allowed the FBI to conduct in-depth investigations into these people to uncover possible connections to the looting and rioting in Denver.

BREAKDOWN | Nighttime agitators created havoc at Civic Center Park.

Reconciliation

As the days have passed, night riots have ceased. Meanwhile, hundreds of people continue to gather during the day to sound the alarm on police violence. “This is a time for healing, for bringing people together, and the best way to protect civil rights is to move away from escalating violence,” said Mayor Hancock and Governor Jared Polis in a joint statement.