Police disperse protesters with tear gas in downtown Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Police used tear gas in an effort to break up crowds outside the Police Operations Center and County Courthouse in downtown Colorado Springs Saturday night.
Hundreds of people walked from the Police Operations Center to the County Courthouse shortly before 10 p.m., when police used tear gas to disperse them. Protesters had gathered in solidarity with the movement calling attention to George Floyd's death during an arrest in Minneapolis.
The violence that unfolded was a far cry from the peaceful protests that took place earlier in the day. About 1,000 people protested around 3:30 Saturday afternoon.
Police said at 5:30 p.m. a crowd gathered outside the Police Operations Center. According to police, protesters were throwing rocks, glass bottles and other things.
A couple of police patrol cars had their windows broken and the sides were vandalized with graffiti.
Police said the crowd refused to follow commands to disperse. That's when police shot tear gas to break them up.
At least one person was arrested during the protests after 5:30 p.m.
Police continued to try to get the crowd to leave, but groups kept regathering and marching to the Police Operations Center.
CSPD is asking people to avoid the downtown area Saturday night.
Tear gas was used during the #GeorgeFloydProtests in Colorado Springs. The protestors have moved back. Warning: explicit language. pic.twitter.com/ERFhd2G6Ba
— Zachary Aedo (@ZacharyAedo) May 31, 2020
This is a much different scene from the peaceful protest that ended at Acacia Park around 5:30 p.m.
— Zachary Aedo (@ZacharyAedo) May 31, 2020
Protestors are approaching the POC. pic.twitter.com/Ct0f3zfIcS
At least one person arrested during the #GeorgeFloydProtests in Colorado Springs. CSPD says this has become an unlawful assembly. pic.twitter.com/55AoYWDQKZ
— Zachary Aedo (@ZacharyAedo) May 31, 2020
It’s getting crazy out here. My photographer and I got hit with tear gas. #GeorgeFloydProtests #ColoradoSprings @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/KhphYGBh6U
— Danny Mata KRDO (@DannyMataJr) May 31, 2020
Several people just tried to start a fire in a shrub on the corner of Nevada and Moreno. Other protesters put it out, saying, “We are not them (the police).” #GeorgeFloydProtests #ColoradoSprings @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/MwGX6XSK12
— Danny Mata KRDO (@DannyMataJr) May 31, 2020
Police lining up once again lined up at Nevada and Rio Grande. The last encounter with protesters ended with tear gas being shot into the crowd. #GeorgeFloydProtests #ColoradoSprings @KRDONC13 pic.twitter.com/hXbhNHni8B
— Danny Mata KRDO (@DannyMataJr) May 31, 2020
Another round of tear gas fired into the crowd at Nevada and Rio Grande. Once again, my photographer, Colon Porter, and me got caught in it and had to run away. #GeorgeFloydProtests #ColoradoSprings @KRDONC13
— Danny Mata KRDO (@DannyMataJr) May 31, 2020
