Former Denver police chief weighs in after ‘ICE OUT' protest leads to 18 arrests
DENVER (KDVR) — A peaceful protest in downtown Denver Tuesday night escalated quickly when demonstrators attempted to block Interstate 25, prompting a swift response from police and resulting in 18 arrests.
The protest began near the Colorado State Capitol, where demonstrators held signs and chanted against U.S. immigration enforcement. But as the crowd moved through downtown, tensions rose.
Officers believe some protestors tried to make Molotov cocktails during anti-ICE protest
According to the Denver Police Department, a group broke off and attempted to march onto the interstate—a move authorities say posed significant safety risks. The action was confirmed by Colorado 50501, which has been organizing protests since Trump took office earlier this year, with the group saying it did not support the actions taken by certain protestors.
'When individuals go out on the highway, that is inherently dangerous,' said former Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen. 'That's a hazard not only to the individual protesters, but to the public.'
Pazen led the department during the large-scale demonstrations of 2020 and offered some perspective on how law enforcement response has evolved in the years since.
'The difference certainly is scale,' Pazen said. 'In 2020, there were tens of thousands of folks in the streets, with a much higher number of agitators set on violence and destruction.'
This week's protest involved far fewer people, but still resulted in arrests for alleged obstruction, failure to obey a lawful order, assault on an officer and graffiti.
Denver police appeared to take a more restrained approach Tuesday, with fewer visible officers on the ground compared to 2020. But Pazen emphasized that law enforcement alone isn't responsible for maintaining peace.
No Kings: 'Activist fair' planned at Colorado Capitol on Trump's birthday, DC parade day
'The Denver Police Department does not tolerate folks going out on highways,' he said. 'Whether that's part of a protest or not.'
With another large protest expected this weekend, Pazen said preparation and coordination will be key, and that includes efforts by event organizers.
'I have all the confidence in the world in the women and men of the Denver Police Department,' he said. 'They have the training, the experience, and they'll do everything possible to keep the community safe.'
Denver police are monitoring upcoming demonstration plans.
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