PHOTOS: Colorado Springs Protesters Continue To Decry Police Brutality

By Andrea Chalfin and Bryan Oller
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For a fourth day, demonstrators were out in Colorado Springs to protest police brutality after the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died while in police custody in Minneapolis.

It's one of many protests throughout the state and country.

A statue of Susan B. Anthony gazes towards Pikes Peak, America's Mountain as protesters and activists peacefully protest the death of George Floyd in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
A statue of Susan B. Anthony gazes towards Pikes Peak, America's Mountain as protesters and activists peacefully protest the death of George Floyd in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020.
Ayla Sanchez shouts along with hundreds of others, "No Trump, No KKK, no racist USA," while gathered in front of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2002.
Credit Byran Oller / KRCC
Ayla Sanchez shouts along with hundreds of others, "No Trump, No KKK, no racist USA," while gathered in front of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2002.

"I couldn't sit at home and do nothing nothing," said Ayla Sanchez, who protested in between work shifts. Her voice was raw and vibrated under the stress of yelling as loud as she could.

In a sign of the times, protesters march down Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs,CO on June 2 2020. Approximately 200 people crossed streets as they headed towards the Terry R. Harris Judical Complex to voice their concerns following the death of George Floyd.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
In a sign of the times, protesters march down Tejon Street in downtown Colorado Springs,CO on June 2 2020. Approximately 200 people crossed streets as they headed towards the Terry R. Harris Judical Complex to voice their concerns following the death of George Floyd.
A protester holds a sign as nearly 200 protesters make their voices heard in front of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 to bring attention to the death of George Floyd. A window appeared to be smashed and there were other sign of damage after several days of protest. Floyd's death at the hands and knee of a Minnesota police officer has sparked a national protest against police brutality.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
A protester holds a sign as nearly 200 protesters make their voices heard in front of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 to bring attention to the death of George Floyd. A window appeared to be smashed and there were other sign of damage after several days of protest. Floyd's death at the hands and knee of a Minnesota police officer has sparked a national protest against police brutality.
Candice Berrate, her children Floyd, 4, Ella and dog Kaya hold up signs in front of City Hall in Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 in support of the national protest of the death of George Floyd. " I think I will go back home and get my other my kids," said Berrate, to have them participate in the historic protests.. After several days of protest, protesters continue to march through downtown Colorado Springs.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
Candice Berrate, her children Floyd, 4, Ella and dog Kaya hold up signs in front of City Hall in Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 in support of the national protest of the death of George Floyd. " I think I will go back home and get my other my kids," said Berrate, to have them participate in the historic protests.. After several days of protest, protesters continue to march through downtown Colorado Springs.
"I'm here because I need my kids life to be different," said Shequan Smith. The single mother of five children felt the importance of protest on behalf of her family and George Floyd while in Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020. She was one of approximately 200 others who marched throughout the downtown area in protest of police brutality.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
"I'm here because I need my kids life to be different," said Shequan Smith. The single mother of five children felt the importance of protest on behalf of her family and George Floyd while in Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020. She was one of approximately 200 others who marched throughout the downtown area in protest of police brutality.
With the Pioneers Museum in the background, nearly 200 protesters make their voices heard in front of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 to bring attention to the death of George Floyd. A window appeared to be smashed and there were other sign of damage after several days of protest. Floyd's death at the hands and knee of a Minnesota police officer has sparked a national protest against police brutality.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
With the Pioneers Museum in the background, nearly 200 protesters make their voices heard in front of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 to bring attention to the death of George Floyd. A window appeared to be smashed and there were other sign of damage after several days of protest. Floyd's death at the hands and knee of a Minnesota police officer has sparked a national protest against police brutality.
Activist and protest organizer, Charles Johnson became inspired as he leads early 200 protesters make their voices heard in front of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 to bring attention to the death of George Floyd. "It's been awesome," said Johnson in reference to loud but peaceful protest. Floyd's death at the hands and knee of a Minnesota police officer has sparked a national protest against police brutality.
Bryan Oller / KRCC
Activist and protest organizer, Charles Johnson became inspired as he leads early 200 protesters make their voices heard in front of the Terry R. Harris Judicial Complex in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 to bring attention to the death of George Floyd. "It's been awesome," said Johnson in reference to loud but peaceful protest. Floyd's death at the hands and knee of a Minnesota police officer has sparked a national protest against police brutality.
Chanting loudly, hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Bryan Oller/KRCC
Chanting loudly, hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Chanting loudly, hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO late on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
Chanting loudly, hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO late on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Chanting loudly, hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
Chanting loudly, hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO late on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Bryan Oller / KRCC
Demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO late on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Christine Smith of Castle Rock, CO carries an upside down American flag while crossing Nevada Ave. in downtown Colorado Springs on June 2, 2020. "These people are in distress," she said as she joined hundreds of other demonstrators.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
Christine Smith of Castle Rock, CO carries an upside down American flag while crossing Nevada Ave. in downtown Colorado Springs on June 2, 2020. "These people are in distress," she said as she joined hundreds of other demonstrators.
Chanting loudly, hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO late on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.
Credit Bryan Oller / KRCC
Chanting loudly, hundreds of demonstrators filled the streets in downtown Colorado Springs, CO late on June 2, 2020 during another night of protest against police brutality and to acknowledging the death of George Floyd and others who was killed by a Minnesota police officer while being detained.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Niski Speaks, Responds To "Use Of Force" Video

Also on Tuesday, Colorado Springs Police Chief Vince Niski held a press conference and apologized for waiting until now to address the unrest in the city and around the country over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

The comment opened his first public statement since daily protests began Saturday in Colorado Springs and as demonstrators were out again. He says he thinks his silence has impacted perception.

"I do think my delay has caused—I don't want to sat violence—I just think it has created more of a need by the protesters to get their message out because they don't believe they're being heard by us."

Niski called the death of Floyd tragic and unjustified, and says the department joins protesters in their outrage.

"We have heard from members of our community who are scared, outraged, and fearful of police," said Niski. "We grieve with you and understand that you are weary, skeptical and exhausted."

Niski said most of the protesters have been peaceful though there are instigators of violence. He also said he's been meeting with community leaders, and regrets that continued dialogue has taken so long.

Later that afternoon, the police department released a statement attributed to Chief Niski in response to a video circulating on social media. The video was allegedly taken Monday night during the protests, and shows use of force during an arrest.

That statement in its entirety is here:

"I am aware of the video circulating around social media of our officers using force to effect an arrest during the recent protest. This incident will be reviewed to determine if any laws or department policies were broken.

Preliminary, the video appears to show officers attempting to take a suspect into custody after protestors were given a lawful order to disperse. The suspect seems to be resisting, which is when officers use force to gain compliance and take him into custody.

This video shows a small snapshot of that arrest. The full review will reveal all the events that occurred leading up to this incident, during this incident, and what happened after the video stops. Once that is complete, if the officers have been found to have violated our policies or the law, the appropriate action will be taken.

While protests in Colorado Springs have been overwhelmingly peaceful, we have seen violent and unlawful acts take place, especially during the night. We stand in solidarity with our community and we will continue to protect our community's right to protest, but when a crime occurs we have to take action to ensure an escalation of violence does not continue."

KOAA reports demonstrations Tuesday night were again declared an "unlawful assembly," before a firework went off and what appeared to have been either smoke or tear gas was seen in the area.

This post has been updated to include events reported later in the afternoon and evening.

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