DENVER (KDVR) — Mayor Michael B. Hancock, Denver Police Department Chief Paul Pazen and Denver District Attorney Beth McCann addressed the public in a news conference on Sunday.
Saturday protests began as peaceful demonstrations and turned violent and destructive after the Denver mandatory curfew of 8 p.m. passed. McCann addressed the peaceful side and pleaded to find a solution.
“I stand ready to collaborate and work with those who are interested in finding long lasting solutions to racism in our systems of government,” McCann said. “We can work together to have the difficult conversations and develop solutions that work to build trust and keep our beautiful Denver community safe.”
Dumpsters were turned over blocking intersections and set a blaze. Businesses prepared for damage, looting and vandalism but not all were lucky to go unscathed. Graffiti and vandalism trashed the Capitol and surrounding establishments.
“These are members of our community. These buildings around us are your buildings. You are destroying your own buildings,” McCann said. “This is not Denver. This is not who we are in this city.”
“To any who have infiltrated these peaceful protests with the goal of sowing discord and compromising the important message of this protest, stay home.” McCann continued.
Three police officers and a civilian were injured when a moving vehicle struck them on Logan and Colfax. As well, the DPD confiscated numerous dangerous items during the protests.
“We’ve had several officers treated and released at the hospital, one that remains,” Pazen said. “However, each of them wants to come back and fulfill their duty of keeping our community safe.”
You can find the departments use-of-force of policy here.
Hancock focused on the other problematic issue at hand with the protests and demonstrations.
“We are still in the midst of a pandemic. We did see and have witnessed people demonstrating in our community peacefully, as well as after hours when its not so peaceful, without face coverings,” Hancock said.
“We want to remind everyone and invite you next weekend go down to the Pepsi Center and get tested for COVID-19 for free.”
The press conference took place in front of the Capitol building with a crowd of protestors nearby.