DENVER — Police used pepper spray to try to control a group of protesters who were marching in downtown Denver on Wednesday night.
The protesters said they were angry about police brutality.
The protest began at the Denver Jail then moved near the State Capitol where the protesters blocked traffic at Colfax Avenue and Broadway.
Police officers were with the protesters as they moved through downtown and the officers’ message on Twitter indicated they were protecting those in the march.
But then there was a confrontation.
UPDATE: DPD Officers have arrested some protestors for illegal activity. We will provide details and numbers at the end of this event
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) April 30, 2015
UPDATE: DPD utilized pepper spray to control protestors during arrest.
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) April 30, 2015
Police officers have remained calm and silent as the crowd continues to shout profanities – very angry crowd pic.twitter.com/loobOu77Ir
— Mark Meredith (@markpmeredith) April 30, 2015
Police said there was a minor scuffle in Civic Center Park during which a police motorcycle was pushed over. There were 11 arrests, the Denver Police Department said.
The situation calmed quickly and the crowd thinned out as many officers were released back to normal patrol.
@KDVR Per DPD Sgt on scene a minor scuffle followed by multiple arrests at Civic Center Park. pic.twitter.com/lrilQ0qP6r
— Angel Andres (@AngelAndresFox) April 30, 2015
A little later, police said the protesters gathered again and started marching on the 16th Street Mall. A Twitter message said police were protecting them and ensuring public safety.
Police said eight men and three women were arrested.
