CSPD: ‘Heavily armed individuals’ not at protests on department’s behalf

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado Springs Police say that a group of heavily armed people in body armor who have been attending recent protests downtown are not working with the police department.

The armed men have been seen in recent days wearing body armor, and they have told KRDO reporters they're there to protect protesters.

CSPD wrote on Twitter Monday that it's been reported those individuals said the department "asked them to come to the protest" on the behalf of police. The Colorado Springs Independent spoke with a protester who gave that account about the armed individuals.

According to CSPD, the department "will not ask anyone to attend a protest on our behalf."

The protests have continued in Colorado Springs for 10 days and have largely remained peaceful, with the exception of violent clashes between instigators and police late at night.

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Throughout the day we have heard, and seen, a lot of misinformation regarding recent protests in Colorado Springs. It has been brought to our attention that a small group of heavily armed individuals wearing body armor stated that...

— Colorado Springs Police Department (@CSPDPIO) June 8, 2020