Police in Denver had to break up a confrontation between pro-police demonstrators and counterprotesters who turned violent Sunday afternoon.
Pro-police organizers were holding a “Back the Blue” event during the annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Day outside the city’s Civic Center Park when the two groups met.
Randy Corporon, an attorney and one of the event organizers, said local police had asked him to move the day of the demonstration due to a Black Lives Matter protest planned nearby at the same time.
“He was agitated that we’re going to get his officers hurt,” Corporon said of the local police chief, according to the Denver Post. “My response to him was that he should allow his officers to do their job and if people are down there breaking the law, to stop them. Because they’ll have nothing to fear from us.”
Counterprotesters said their goal was to disrupt the pro-police event.
“We wanted to go and make noise and make it impossible for them to have the fun, celebratory experience they wanted to have,” said Lillian House, who is an organizer for the local Party for Socialism and Liberation.
The paths of the two groups met at the park just after 3 p.m., which local media reported caused a chaotic scene. Black Lives Matter demonstrators reportedly banged on drums, chanted at the pro-police crowd, and burned a thin blue line flag and a pile of Make America Great Again hats.
Photos and video taken at the scene show several people throwing punches, two women on seemingly opposing sides of the conflict pulling one another’s hair, and a man bleeding from his forehead.
Counter-protesters have surrounded the Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Event. Now starting at a combination of anti-police signs and blue-line flags. A lot of different noises, too. Protesters have noisemakers. Pro-police event-goers have music. #9NEWS pic.twitter.com/9eJivnAz4r
— Jordan Chavez (@Jordan_Chavez) July 19, 2020
Conservative commentator Michelle Malkin was also present and posted video footage of the violence she saw to Twitter.
This is the moment one of our people was beaten on stage by invading BLM/Antifa. Then BlackBloc lady took out baton. That’s why I screamed @kyleclark. The crap BLM bitch sprayed in my face was still all over me. #WhatsWrongWithYou #DenverAnarchoTyranny @jaredpolis @denverpolice pic.twitter.com/JGRLdkGsnt
— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) July 20, 2020
Denver Police told 9 News one person was arrested for assault as a result of Sunday’s altercation. Police used pepper spray to clear the area, a task that was completed by 5 p.m.
Corporon expressed frustration that police were not more forceful with the counterprotesters.
“… Cops were there, ready, able. Multiple Denver cops gave thumbs up, nodded, etc. They knew we were there for them,” he said. “But, they were not allowed to engage. Next time, we won’t wait on them.”
