COLORADO SPRINGS – Protesters are preparing for a tenth day of demonstrations in downtown Colorado Springs today. Hundreds of people gathered over the weekend in honor of George Floyd and they finished up peacefully at about 10:30 p.m. Sunday night. People marched from City Hall to the Police Operations Center at Nevada and Rio Grande and back to City Hall with their fists in the air.
Mayor John Suthers informed the City Council that he is not extending the curfew order that expired at 5:00 a.m. Monday morning. The curfew originally went into effect on June 3rd, after violent protests. Mayor Suthers has high praise for protesters and police alike,
“A tremendous amount of credit belongs to our citizens who have engaged in speech and assembly in Colorado Springs in the highest traditions of social action in America“, said Suthers. “They have been vocal and passionate about their worthy cause, but respectful of their fellow citizens and public and private property. My sincere gratitude to leaders of the protest who have steered those protesting police brutality away from other groups who do not share their message and their commitment to nonviolent methods.
I also want to thank the Colorado Springs Police Department, which has worked hard to ensure First Amendment protection of speech and assembly, while also providing for the public health, safety and welfare.”
He also said that after five days of protests without violence, it’s time to allow the curfew to lapse. However, he said he won’t hesitate to reinstate a curfew if violence and property damage should reoccur and a curfew is necessary to ensure public safety. Mayor Suthers is asking groups to refrain from attempting to block or impede traffic as that presents situations that can be very dangerous for protesters and the public using the roadways.
