Editor's note: Social media videos featured in this article are from live events amid protesters using strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.
A citywide curfew in Colorado Springs ended Thursday morning as the city expects another day of protests downtown.
The death of George Floyd, an African American man who died on May 25 in Minneapolis while in police custody, has sparked unrest nationwide about police brutality. Cities across the country and here in Colorado are anticipating protesters again Wednesday.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers signed an emergency proclamation Wednesday, establishing a citywide curfew between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night from Wednesday, June 3, through Monday morning June 8.
Wednesday night marked the first night of the curfew and a News 5 crew following the protest downtown reported that protesters were still out after 10 p.m. Some first responders, including medical personnel, were seen attending to someone in Acacia Park, but outside of that, they did not report seeing many, if any, law enforcement officers.
News5 will continue to follow the protest locally and provide the latest information here:
10:30 p.m. | Protesters head home for the day
Just after 10:30 p.m. protesters have headed home and ended the night peacefully.
This is after organizers encouraged people to go home if they were not sage.
And just like that... it’s just us and the sprinklers. Organizers asked people to leave, saying it was too big of a group to keep everyone safe and maintain a peaceful protest. They’ll regroup for tomorrow. @KOAA pic.twitter.com/wPypjKU9TT
— Colette Bordelon (@ColetteBordelon) June 5, 2020
10:00 p.m. | Protesters encourage people to leave if they don’t feel safe
Here at Acacia Park, organizers are encouraging people to leave if they don’t feel safe when the curfew starts at 10. Saying their goal is to keep things peaceful for the second night in a row. We go live at 10 here. @KOAA @Ben_L_Lloyd @photogvega pic.twitter.com/5RqH89Jcc2
— Colette Bordelon (@ColetteBordelon) June 5, 2020
9:45 p.m. | Protester march down Nevada to City Hall
Protesters are now approaching City Hall with less than 15 minutes until the curfew begins.
6:00 p.m. | Candlelight vigil takes place st Acacia Park
Protesters took to Acacia Park art 6:00 p.m. for a peaceful memorial of George Floyd and other victim of racial violence.
#719Proud they say. Kneeling in peace and unity at #AcaciaPark for 9 minutes. #GeorgeFloydMemorial pic.twitter.com/cIy6cjqBax
— Rob Quirk (@KOAARobQuirk) June 5, 2020
A candlelit vigil is about to start... @KOAA pic.twitter.com/UhHAjGLIqu
— Colette Bordelon (@ColetteBordelon) June 5, 2020
4:30 p.m. | Protesters on the move to UCHeath
The protest moved from City Hall in Colorado Springs to UCHealth to show support for Nicole, the woman hit by a car last night.
They also took a knee to thank healthcare professionals.
Protesters are also saying there will be a candlelit vigil for Geroge Floyd around 6 p.m. tonight.
Protesters say they marched to UCHealth to show support for Nicole, the woman hit by a car last night. They also took a knee to thank healthcare professionals. Also saying there will be a candelit vigil for #GeorgeFloyd around 6 tonight. @KOAA pic.twitter.com/boD5RYK9Xx
— Colette Bordelon (@ColetteBordelon) June 4, 2020
2 p.m. | Protests continue in downtown Colorado Springs
Demonstrators gather again at City Hall. The crowd continue to grow, but remains very peaceful.
Today, many protesters are talking to people about the legacy of Geroge Floyd in Southern Colorado as he is memorialized today.
Demonstrators have gathered again, growing and peaceful crowd at City Hall. Talking to people about the legacy of #GeorgeFloyd in Southern Colorado as he is memorialized today. @KOAA @KOAARobQuirk pic.twitter.com/6lxjUBaUrO
— Rob Quirk (@KOAARobQuirk) June 4, 2020
12 p.m. | George Floyd laid to rest
A memorial service was held in Minneapolis for George Floyd.
5 a.m.| Citywide curfew ends in Colorado Springs
4 a.m.| Colorado Springs protests through an organizer's eyes
News5 has been covering the George Floyd protests in Colorado Springs since they began, and we've seen some familiar faces downtown within the past few days.
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Protesters from Wednesday night were met with officers making an announcement over a speaker, alerting them that the curfew Mayor John Suthers put it place was in effect. Demonstrators remained peaceful throughout the day as they have for previous protests.
The Colorado Springs Police Department was investigating an accident between a car and pedestrian. Officers said initial information is that the driver was stopped in traffic and was assaulted by protesters. When a protester jumped on the hood of the Jeep, it drove off, injuring the protester. CSPD said the protester has an injured shoulder. Police are in contact with the driver of the vehicle as well.
More from Wednesday night's protest:
