thedenverpost--2020-06-06--Guest commentary: A police reform movement is possible — but it must acknowledge history

As communities around the country and world take to the streets to protest the murder of George Floyd and those before him , many are asking : How does our policing need to change to prevent these heinous acts from being not only possible , but repeatable ?
As a retired cop who served for 25 years at every level – from rookie patrol officer in Austin , Texas , to chief of police in Chattanooga , Tenn. – I ’ d like to offer some ideas .
I don ’ t have all the answers , but I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I spend much of my time traveling around the country to support departments to improve their policing , in particular through training and policies that protect the most vulnerable citizens .
Decades ago , though , I didn ’ t always think about how my actions impacted the vulnerable .
When I was a rookie officer in Austin , for example , I impounded vehicles when the driver had no license or insurance .
Impounding was policy-neutral in our department — neither required nor prohibited — but up to the discretion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doing good ; driving without license or insurance seemed dangerous and irresponsible .
One day , a thoughtful veteran officer asked if I had considered the ripple effects : impound fees lead to losing a car , which leads to losing a job , which can lead to losing a home or worse .
I had not considered this , and for the first time I realized my actions disproportionately burdened my poor neighbors , many of whom were also of color .
Later , this behavior became prohibited by policy because of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a journey to explore a concept whose name I did not yet know : social justice .
Impounding cars is not murder , but my point is that policies matter , and we are collectively responsible for the systems we inhabit .
My peers and I may not be individually responsible for atrocities like the murder of George Floyd , but we should be held collectively accountable for the fact that our system allows those atrocities .
While I appreciate that the overwhelming majority of police officers serve with respect and compassion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of voices calling for internal change , we have not yet done enough .
Our goal can not be to reduce police misconduct and brutality .
We must eliminate it .
How ?
Begin by acknowledging history .
Policing in the United States has origins in slave patrols and protecting coastal mercantile interests .
It evolved to enforce segregation laws and has too frequently been used as a tool of oppression .
A recent example is the War on Drugs – a costly and largely unproductive initiative that has inequitably impacted poor communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into many current bad policies .
Inadequate policies , borne from this past , have allowed toxic sub-cultures to flourish .
This toxicity contributes to misconduct and , ultimately , tragic outcomes .
Conversely , strong policies improve policing outcomes – and prevent misconduct and brutality .
In How to Be an Antiracist , Ibram X. Kendi wrote that Americans have been trained to focus on deficiencies in people , rather than policy .
Instead of reflexively praising people doing good as heroes and criticizing people doing wrong as ‘ bad apples , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former to flourish and the latter perish .
A police reform movement today is possible .
What would it look like ?
First , it would recognize and address the harmful origins and uses of policing and commit to meaningful acts of reconciliation .
It would acknowledge the community as the ultimate authority and provide accountability through radically revised and federally enforced policies to change policing behavior and outcomes in a standardized , enforceable way across all of the 17,000+ agencies .
Any department that does not certify compliance would lose qualified immunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solutions fall into these categories : ● Enhancing trust and legitimacy through “ co-production policing , ” where community directly contributes to developing police priorities and responses ● Increasing accountability to the community including civilian oversight ● Rebalancing equation of police roles/approaches and social programs ● Developing comprehensive national policies and training in critical topics ● Limiting police union activity to wages , benefits and working conditions ● Demilitarization ● Employee wellness In short , as police officers , we must stand for social justice .
While social justice is a goal that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe communities – not just those free of criminals , but those where neighbors feel safe .
A sense of safety requires sound , effective , and procedurally just policing .
And procedurally-just policing begins with us .
Fred Fletcher works as a public safety consultant , trainer , and speaker .
Previously , he served as chief of police in Chattanooga , Tenn. , and Rockport , Texas , and in various command positions in the Austin Police Department .
He is a resident of Woodland Park .

As communities around the country and world take to the streets to protest the murder of George Floyd and those before him, many are asking: How does our policing need to change to prevent these heinous acts from being not only possible, but repeatable?
As a retired cop who served for 25 years at every level – from rookie patrol officer in Austin, Texas, to chief of police in Chattanooga, Tenn. – I’d like to offer some ideas. I don’t have all the answers, but I do have a unique perspective. These days, I spend much of my time traveling around the country to support departments to improve their policing, in particular through training and policies that protect the most vulnerable citizens.
Decades ago, though, I didn’t always think about how my actions impacted the vulnerable.
When I was a rookie officer in Austin, for example, I impounded vehicles when the driver had no license or insurance. Impounding was policy-neutral in our department — neither required nor prohibited — but up to the discretion of the officer. I thought I was doing good; driving without license or insurance seemed dangerous and irresponsible.
One day, a thoughtful veteran officer asked if I had considered the ripple effects: impound fees lead to losing a car, which leads to losing a job, which can lead to losing a home or worse. I had not considered this, and for the first time I realized my actions disproportionately burdened my poor neighbors, many of whom were also of color. Later, this behavior became prohibited by policy because of its detrimental effects. And it started a journey to explore a concept whose name I did not yet know: social justice.
Impounding cars is not murder, but my point is that policies matter, and we are collectively responsible for the systems we inhabit. My peers and I may not be individually responsible for atrocities like the murder of George Floyd, but we should be held collectively accountable for the fact that our system allows those atrocities. While I appreciate that the overwhelming majority of police officers serve with respect and compassion and am also heartened by the growing number of voices calling for internal change, we have not yet done enough. Our goal cannot be to reduce police misconduct and brutality. We must eliminate it.
How? Begin by acknowledging history. Policing in the United States has origins in slave patrols and protecting coastal mercantile interests. It evolved to enforce segregation laws and has too frequently been used as a tool of oppression. A recent example is the War on Drugs – a costly and largely unproductive initiative that has inequitably impacted poor communities and communities of color and incentivized departments into many current bad policies.
Inadequate policies, borne from this past, have allowed toxic sub-cultures to flourish. This toxicity contributes to misconduct and, ultimately, tragic outcomes. Conversely, strong policies improve policing outcomes – and prevent misconduct and brutality.
In How to Be an Antiracist, Ibram X. Kendi wrote that Americans have been trained to focus on deficiencies in people, rather than policy. Instead of reflexively praising people doing good as heroes and criticizing people doing wrong as ‘bad apples,’ we need policies that allow the former to flourish and the latter perish.
A police reform movement today is possible. What would it look like? First, it would recognize and address the harmful origins and uses of policing and commit to meaningful acts of reconciliation. It would acknowledge the community as the ultimate authority and provide accountability through radically revised and federally enforced policies to change policing behavior and outcomes in a standardized, enforceable way across all of the 17,000+ agencies.
Any department that does not certify compliance would lose qualified immunity. A large number of proven policy solutions fall into these categories:
● Enhancing trust and legitimacy through “co-production policing,” where community directly contributes to developing police priorities and responses
● Increasing accountability to the community including civilian oversight
● Rebalancing equation of police roles/approaches and social programs
● Developing comprehensive national policies and training in critical topics
● Limiting police union activity to wages, benefits and working conditions
● Demilitarization
● Employee wellness
In short, as police officers, we must stand for social justice. While social justice is a goal that transcends policing, achieving social justice requires safe communities – not just those free of criminals, but those where neighbors feel safe. A sense of safety requires sound, effective, and procedurally just policing. And procedurally-just policing begins with us.
Fred Fletcher works as a public safety consultant, trainer, and speaker. Previously, he served as chief of police in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Rockport, Texas, and in various command positions in the Austin Police Department. He is a resident of Woodland Park.


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--Ask Amy: Long-distance contact amplifies in-law issues

Dear Amy : My husband and I live in a different country than our families .
Our only source of communication with our mothers is through FaceTime/FB Messenger .
While I have a great relationship with my mom and call her almost daily , my husband ’ s relationship with his mom has always been rocky .
She likes lecturing him on how he should live his life , what to do , what job to get , etc .
She ’ s also a very religious woman , while we definitely are not .
My husband had a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he doesn ’ t attend church , and she was questioning whether it was my influence !
I ’ m an atheist , but if my husband wanted to go to church , that would be absolutely fine with me .
My mother-in-law keeps pushing him about it .
She was incredibly angry when he told her that he doesn ’ t share her strong faith .
These arguments get him really depressed and discouraged .
He said that if it wasn ’ t for the fact that he ’ s the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , he would distance himself , or stop contacting her altogether .
While I wouldn ’ t want her to lose her son ( my mom is also divorced , so I feel for her ) , it pains me to see him going through all that uncalled-for pressure .
How can we keep the relationship with my mother-in-law , but also firmly tell her to stop dictating to us how to live our lives and what to believe in ?
Dear Enough : If being religious is a core value for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ visit and revisit this topic with her son .
Because you two live overseas and are communicating via videoconferencing and telephone , some of her clutching and attempts to control will be amplified .
This might be because she is anxious and lonely , but I have also noticed that one aspect of long-distance communicating is that it can be challenging to come up with things to talk about .
You two should come up with topics to discuss with her ; keep a list on a notepad near your laptop .
Think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and let her help you make little decisions – “ We ’ re looking at these two kinds of tile for the bathroom – which do you like best ?
” Your husband should ponder and practice some responses that might reassure his mother , without encouraging her toward discussions he does not want to have .
“ OK , Mom , I realize this is important to you .
I ’ ll let you know if anything changes for me .
Let ’ s talk about something else , OK ?
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappoint his anxious mother : “ Mom , you did a great job raising me , but from here on out , I ’ m in charge of my own life.
” I also think it ’ s OK to create a little distance , and to be honest about the reason .
Dear Amy : I ’ ve been working from home for the past two months , but once things start opening up again , my job will require frequent business travel .
In the past , I was usually on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month .
I am not looking forward to having all that contact with large numbers of people — in airports , on planes , restaurants , etc .
I ’ m also not too keen on rental cars and hotel rooms .
I really like my job and my co-workers .
The work suits my skills and interests .
The pay and benefits are good .
I feel torn between keeping a good job that will increase my exposure to the coronavirus , and trying to find a new job in a sluggish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for work at the same time .
Dear Concerned : This anxiety creates a legitimate and necessary series of conversations to have with your employers .
You should be confident that they will develop a strategy for work-related travel that will reduce your risk as much as possible , as well as reducing your need to travel so frequently .
Travel will be vastly transformed , much as it was after 9/11 .
We will all tiptoe out into the world , using the knowledge we have gained to protect ourselves , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your response to “ Mom ” was way too harsh .
Mom was trying to establish a good relationship with her gay son , and you needlessly shamed her .
Dear Upset : I responded that both “ Mom ” and her son seemed to be playing a game of sorts , endangering their already fragile relationship .
I hope my “ harsh ” response inspired her to react to him differently .

Dear Amy: My husband and I live in a different country than our families. Our only source of communication with our mothers is through FaceTime/FB Messenger.
While I have a great relationship with my mom and call her almost daily, my husband’s relationship with his mom has always been rocky.
She likes lecturing him on how he should live his life, what to do, what job to get, etc. She’s also a very religious woman, while we definitely are not.
My husband had a big argument with her about the fact that he doesn’t attend church, and she was questioning whether it was my influence!
I’m an atheist, but if my husband wanted to go to church, that would be absolutely fine with me.
My mother-in-law keeps pushing him about it. She was incredibly angry when he told her that he doesn’t share her strong faith. These arguments get him really depressed and discouraged.
He said that if it wasn’t for the fact that he’s the only child (and his mom is divorced), he would distance himself, or stop contacting her altogether.
While I wouldn’t want her to lose her son (my mom is also divorced, so I feel for her), it pains me to see him going through all that uncalled-for pressure.
How can we keep the relationship with my mother-in-law, but also firmly tell her to stop dictating to us how to live our lives and what to believe in?
— Enough of Dictatorship
Dear Enough: If being religious is a core value for your mother-in-law, she will quite naturally visit and revisit this topic with her son.
Because you two live overseas and are communicating via videoconferencing and telephone, some of her clutching and attempts to control will be amplified. This might be because she is anxious and lonely, but I have also noticed that one aspect of long-distance communicating is that it can be challenging to come up with things to talk about.
You two should come up with topics to discuss with her; keep a list on a notepad near your laptop. Think of stories and recipes to share, and let her help you make little decisions – “We’re looking at these two kinds of tile for the bathroom – which do you like best?”
Your husband should ponder and practice some responses that might reassure his mother, without encouraging her toward discussions he does not want to have. “OK, Mom, I realize this is important to you. I’ll let you know if anything changes for me. Let’s talk about something else, OK?”
He should also be brave enough to disappoint his anxious mother: “Mom, you did a great job raising me, but from here on out, I’m in charge of my own life.”
I also think it’s OK to create a little distance, and to be honest about the reason.
Dear Amy: I’ve been working from home for the past two months, but once things start opening up again, my job will require frequent business travel. In the past, I was usually on the road for about two weeks each month.
I am not looking forward to having all that contact with large numbers of people — in airports, on planes, restaurants, etc. I’m also not too keen on rental cars and hotel rooms.
I really like my job and my co-workers. The work suits my skills and interests. The pay and benefits are good. I feel torn between keeping a good job that will increase my exposure to the coronavirus, and trying to find a new job in a sluggish economy with millions of other people looking for work at the same time.
— Concerned Business Traveler
Dear Concerned: This anxiety creates a legitimate and necessary series of conversations to have with your employers. You should be confident that they will develop a strategy for work-related travel that will reduce your risk as much as possible, as well as reducing your need to travel so frequently.
Travel will be vastly transformed, much as it was after 9/11. We will all tiptoe out into the world, using the knowledge we have gained to protect ourselves, and others.
Dear Amy: I thought your response to “Mom” was way too harsh. Mom was trying to establish a good relationship with her gay son, and you needlessly shamed her.
— Upset Reader
Dear Upset: I responded that both “Mom” and her son seemed to be playing a game of sorts, endangering their already fragile relationship. I hope my “harsh” response inspired her to react to him differently.
(You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.)


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--Federal judge orders Denver police to limit firing tear gas, projectiles at peaceful protesters

A federal judge in Denver issued an order late Friday night that limits the Denver Police Department ’ s use of chemical weapons and non-lethal projectiles on protesters , saying that protecting First Amendment rights were more important than protecting buildings .
“ The threat to physical safety and free speech outweighs the threat to property , ” U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson wrote .
Jackson issued an 11-page ruling on Friday night after four protesters filed a lawsuit , asking for a temporary restraining order against aggressive police actions .
The lawsuit filed Thursday in Denver District @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I find that plaintiffs have established a strong likelihood that defendant violated plaintiffs ’ First Amendment right to free speech , ” Jackson wrote in the ruling .
Police at protests have been ordered by the court “ from employing chemical weapons or projectiles of any kind against persons engaging in peaceful protests or demonstrations.
” Jackson said the plaintiffs , in their filing , established that some police officers have been firing indiscriminately at peaceful protesters , including aiming their fire at people ’ s heads and their groins .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability to protect themselves , so he set guidelines for when police officers can use the non-lethal weapons against protesters .
For example , a captain or higher-ranked officer must approve their use after that commander has witnessed specific acts of violence or property destruction that warrant that level of force .
He forbid police to aim at people ’ s heads , necks or backs and said police can not fire indiscriminately into a crowd .
Other measures in the order include : • None Non-Denver officers shall not use any demonstration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ itself authorizes for its own officers .
• All officers deployed to the demonstrations or engaged in the demonstrations must have their body-worn cameras recording at all times , and they may not intentionally obstruct the camera or recording .
• Chemical agents or irritants ( including pepper spray and tear gas ) may only be used after an order to disperse is issued .
• Officers must keep body cameras running and may not intentionally obstruct them .
• Officers must give orders to disperse , allow protesters time to leave and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If it appears their intended audience can not hear , officers must repeat the orders before deploying chemical weapons .
In coming to a decision , the court reviewed video evidence of numerous incidents in which officers used pepper spray on demonstrators who were peaceful and were not engaging in violence or destructive behavior , according to the ruling .
“ People have an absolute right to demonstrate and protest the actions of governmental officials , including police officers .
It is one of the many freedoms on which this country was built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Jackson , noting that police have a “ very difficult and often thankless job ” to carry out , said “ the difficulty is in trying to draw an enforceable line that permits police officers to use appropriate means to respond to violence and destruction of property without crossing the line into the chilling free speech and abusing those who wish to exercise it.
” Denver police said on Friday night that the department “ will comply with the judge ’ s directions , many of which are already in line with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police will seek modifications to the Order “ that would account for limitations on staffing and body-worn cameras so the directions can be operationalized .
”

A federal judge in Denver issued an order late Friday night that limits the Denver Police Department’s use of chemical weapons and non-lethal projectiles on protesters, saying that protecting First Amendment rights were more important than protecting buildings.
“The threat to physical safety and free speech outweighs the threat to property,” U.S. District Court Judge R. Brooke Jackson wrote.
Jackson issued an 11-page ruling on Friday night after four protesters filed a lawsuit, asking for a temporary restraining order against aggressive police actions. The lawsuit filed Thursday in Denver District Court had been moved to federal court.
“I find that plaintiffs have established a strong likelihood that defendant violated plaintiffs’ First Amendment right to free speech,” Jackson wrote in the ruling.
Police at protests have been ordered by the court “from employing chemical weapons or projectiles of any kind against persons engaging in peaceful protests or demonstrations.”
Jackson said the plaintiffs, in their filing, established that some police officers have been firing indiscriminately at peaceful protesters, including aiming their fire at people’s heads and their groins.
But Jackson recognized that police need the ability to protect themselves, so he set guidelines for when police officers can use the non-lethal weapons against protesters.
For example, a captain or higher-ranked officer must approve their use after that commander has witnessed specific acts of violence or property destruction that warrant that level of force. He forbid police to aim at people’s heads, necks or backs and said police cannot fire indiscriminately into a crowd.
Other measures in the order include:
Non-Denver officers shall not use any demonstration of force or weapon beyond what Denver itself authorizes for its own officers.
Denver itself authorizes for its own officers. All officers deployed to the demonstrations or engaged in the demonstrations must have
their body-worn cameras recording at all times, and they may not intentionally obstruct
the camera or recording.
their body-worn cameras recording at all times, and they may not intentionally obstruct the camera or recording. Chemical agents or irritants (including pepper spray and tear gas) may only be used after
an order to disperse is issued.
an order to disperse is issued. Officers must keep body cameras running and may not intentionally obstruct them.
Officers must give orders to disperse, allow protesters time to leave and give them room to move away. If it appears their intended audience cannot hear, officers must repeat the orders before deploying chemical weapons.
In coming to a decision, the court reviewed video evidence of numerous incidents in which officers used pepper spray on demonstrators who were peaceful and were not engaging in violence or destructive behavior, according to the ruling.
“People have an absolute right to demonstrate and protest the actions of governmental officials, including police officers. It is one of the many freedoms on which this country was built,” Jackson said in the ruling.
Jackson, noting that police have a “very difficult and often thankless job” to carry out, said “the difficulty is in trying to draw an enforceable line that permits police officers to use appropriate means to respond to violence and destruction of property without crossing the line into the chilling free speech and abusing those who wish to exercise it.”
Denver police said on Friday night that the department “will comply with the judge’s directions, many of which are already in line with our community-consulted Use of Force Policy.”
(1/2) #ALERT #Denver – A federal judge issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) clarifying #DPD use of non-lethal dispersant devices. In the meantime, we will comply with the judge’s directions, many of which are already in line with our community-consulted Use of Force Policy. — Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) June 6, 2020
Police will seek modifications to the Order “that would account for limitations on staffing and body-worn cameras so the directions can be operationalized.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--Joe Biden formally clinches Democratic presidential nomination

Joe Biden formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Friday , setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic , economic collapse and civil unrest .
“ It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded , ” Biden said in a statement Friday night , ” and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.
” The former vice president has effectively been his party ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic primary , Bernie Sanders , ended his campaign in April .
But Biden pulled together the 1,991 delegates needed to become the nominee after seven states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries Tuesday .
Biden reached the threshold three days after the primaries because several states , overwhelmed by huge increases in mail ballots , took days to tabulate results .
Teams of analysts at The Associated Press then parsed the votes into individual congressional districts .
Democrats award most delegates to the party ’ s national convention based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden now has 1,993 delegates , with contests still to come in eight states and three U.S. territories .
The moment was met with little of the traditional fanfare as the nation confronts overlapping crises .
While Biden has started to venture out more this week , the coronavirus pandemic has largely confined him to his Wilmington , Delaware , home for much of the past three months .
The country faces the worst rate of unemployment since the Great Depression .
And civil unrest that harkens back to the 1960s has erupted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of George Floyd , a black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air .
It ’ s a confluence of events that no U.S. leader has faced in modern times , made all the more complicated by a president who has at times antagonized the protesters and is eager to take the fight to Biden .
“ This is a difficult time in America ’ s history , ” Biden said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s angry , divisive politics is no answer .
The country is crying out for leadership .
Leadership that can unite us .
Leadership that can bring us together.
” Biden spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming Barack Obama ’ s vice president .
This is 77-year-old Biden ’ s third bid for the presidency and his success in capturing the Democratic nomination was driven by strong support from black voters .
He finished an embarrassing fourth place in the overwhelmingly white Iowa caucuses that kicked off the nomination process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the New Hampshire primary , where his standing was so low that he left the state before polls closed on election night to instead rally black voters in South Carolina .
His rebound began in the more diverse caucuses in Nevada but solidified in South Carolina , where Biden stomped Sanders , his nearest rival , by nearly 29 points .
He followed that with a dominant showing three days later during the Super Tuesday contests , taking 10 of the 14 states .
Biden ’ s strong showing in states such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Texas reinforced his status as the preferred Democratic candidate of African American voters — but the relationship has not been without its strained moments .
After a tense exchange with an influential black radio host , Biden took sharp criticism for suggesting that African American voters still deciding between him and Trump “ ain ’ t black.
” That comment , and protests that have spread nationwide , have increased pressure on Biden to pick an African American running mate .
He has already committed to picking a woman as a vice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to back Trump over Biden by a wide margin .
A recent Fox News poll shows just 14 % of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of the president compared with 75 % who favorably view Biden .
But Biden must ensure that black voters are motivated to show up to the polls in November , especially in critical swing states that narrowly went for Trump in 2016 .
At one point , the Democratic primary included dozens of candidates of different races , genders and generations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was dominated by debate over unapologetically progressive ideas , including fully government-funded health care under “ Medicare for All ” and a sweeping proposal to combat climate change known as the “ Green New Deal.
” Biden prevailed by mostly offering more moderate approaches that he argued would make him more electable against Trump .
He refused to budge on his rejection of universal health care and some of the Green New Deal ’ s most ambitious provisions to combat climate change .
Since clinching the nomination , however , Biden has worked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forming joint task forces with Sanders ’ campaign to find common ground on key issues like health care , the economy and the environment .
Biden has also embraced a plan to forgive millions of Americans ’ student debt , meaning that he clinches the nomination as easily the most liberal standard bearer the Democratic Party has ever had .
Biden ’ s embrace of his party ’ s left flank could help him consolidate a Democratic base that remained deeply divided after the 2016 primary and ultimately hurt Hillary Clinton in her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also undermine Biden ’ s attempts to rebuild the Obama coalition , which is often loosely defined as minorities and young people , as well as educated Americans and some working-class voters .
The former vice president has sought , since announcing his candidacy , to cast the election as a battle “ for the soul of the nation , ” and promised to restore order and dignity to the White House while rehabilitating the U.S. image on the world stage .
Such an approach , though , necessarily focuses on being more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ radically new political ideas .
And that further underscores Biden ’ s difficult task of trying to unite his party ’ s base while appealing to voters from far beyond it .
“ I am going to spend every day between now and November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country , ” Biden promised Friday , “ so that , together , we can win the battle for the soul of this nation , and make sure that as we rebuild our economy , everyone comes @ @ @

Joe Biden formally clinched the Democratic presidential nomination Friday, setting him up for a bruising challenge to President Donald Trump that will play out against the unprecedented backdrop of a pandemic, economic collapse and civil unrest.
“It was an honor to compete alongside one of the most talented groups of candidates the Democratic party has ever fielded,” Biden said in a statement Friday night, ”and I am proud to say that we are going into this general election a united party.”
The former vice president has effectively been his party’s leader since his last challenger in the Democratic primary, Bernie Sanders, ended his campaign in April. But Biden pulled together the 1,991 delegates needed to become the nominee after seven states and the District of Columbia held presidential primaries Tuesday.
Biden reached the threshold three days after the primaries because several states, overwhelmed by huge increases in mail ballots, took days to tabulate results. Teams of analysts at The Associated Press then parsed the votes into individual congressional districts. Democrats award most delegates to the party’s national convention based on results in individual congressional districts.
Biden now has 1,993 delegates, with contests still to come in eight states and three U.S. territories.
The moment was met with little of the traditional fanfare as the nation confronts overlapping crises. While Biden has started to venture out more this week, the coronavirus pandemic has largely confined him to his Wilmington, Delaware, home for much of the past three months.
The country faces the worst rate of unemployment since the Great Depression. And civil unrest that harkens back to the 1960s has erupted in dozens of cities following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died when a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for several minutes even after he stopped moving and pleading for air.
It’s a confluence of events that no U.S. leader has faced in modern times, made all the more complicated by a president who has at times antagonized the protesters and is eager to take the fight to Biden.
“This is a difficult time in America’s history,” Biden said Friday night. “And Donald Trump’s angry, divisive politics is no answer. The country is crying out for leadership. Leadership that can unite us. Leadership that can bring us together.”
Biden spent 36 years in the Senate before becoming Barack Obama’s vice president. This is 77-year-old Biden’s third bid for the presidency and his success in capturing the Democratic nomination was driven by strong support from black voters.
He finished an embarrassing fourth place in the overwhelmingly white Iowa caucuses that kicked off the nomination process in February. Biden fared little better in the New Hampshire primary, where his standing was so low that he left the state before polls closed on election night to instead rally black voters in South Carolina.
His rebound began in the more diverse caucuses in Nevada but solidified in South Carolina, where Biden stomped Sanders, his nearest rival, by nearly 29 points. He followed that with a dominant showing three days later during the Super Tuesday contests, taking 10 of the 14 states.
Biden’s strong showing in states such as North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas reinforced his status as the preferred Democratic candidate of African American voters — but the relationship has not been without its strained moments. After a tense exchange with an influential black radio host, Biden took sharp criticism for suggesting that African American voters still deciding between him and Trump “ain’t black.”
That comment, and protests that have spread nationwide, have increased pressure on Biden to pick an African American running mate. He has already committed to picking a woman as a vice presidential candidate.
Black voters are unlikely to back Trump over Biden by a wide margin. A recent Fox News poll shows just 14% of African Americans who are registered to vote have a favorable opinion of the president compared with 75% who favorably view Biden.
But Biden must ensure that black voters are motivated to show up to the polls in November, especially in critical swing states that narrowly went for Trump in 2016.
At one point, the Democratic primary included dozens of candidates of different races, genders and generations and an openly gay man. The contest was dominated by debate over unapologetically progressive ideas, including fully government-funded health care under “Medicare for All” and a sweeping proposal to combat climate change known as the “Green New Deal.”
Biden prevailed by mostly offering more moderate approaches that he argued would make him more electable against Trump.
He refused to budge on his rejection of universal health care and some of the Green New Deal’s most ambitious provisions to combat climate change.
Since clinching the nomination, however, Biden has worked to build his appeal among progressives, forming joint task forces with Sanders’ campaign to find common ground on key issues like health care, the economy and the environment. Biden has also embraced a plan to forgive millions of Americans’ student debt, meaning that he clinches the nomination as easily the most liberal standard bearer the Democratic Party has ever had.
Biden’s embrace of his party’s left flank could help him consolidate a Democratic base that remained deeply divided after the 2016 primary and ultimately hurt Hillary Clinton in her defeat to Trump. But it could also undermine Biden’s attempts to rebuild the Obama coalition, which is often loosely defined as minorities and young people, as well as educated Americans and some working-class voters.
The former vice president has sought, since announcing his candidacy, to cast the election as a battle “for the soul of the nation,” and promised to restore order and dignity to the White House while rehabilitating the U.S. image on the world stage. Such an approach, though, necessarily focuses on being more of an alternative to Trump than offering radically new political ideas. And that further underscores Biden’s difficult task of trying to unite his party’s base while appealing to voters from far beyond it.
“I am going to spend every day between now and November 3rd fighting to earn the votes of Americans all across this great country,” Biden promised Friday, “so that, together, we can win the battle for the soul of this nation, and make sure that as we rebuild our economy, everyone comes along.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-07--Colorado reports no new coronavirus deaths in past 24 hours

No new deaths attributed to COVID-19 were reported in Colorado on Saturday , and just three more people died after @ @ @ @ @ .
The number of deaths caused by the virus held steady at 1,274 , according @ @ @ @ @ the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment , and the death toll rose to @ @ @ @ @ tests .
The data indicated 233 new cases were diagnosed in the past 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ s total to 27,848 .
The number of new cases generally has been trending lower @ @ @ @ @ It generally takes two to three weeks for virus spread to start showing up in @ @ @

No new deaths attributed to COVID-19 were reported in Colorado on Saturday, and just three more people died after testing positive for the virus.
The number of deaths caused by the virus held steady at 1,274, according to the latest information from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the death toll rose to 1,527 among people with positive tests.
The data indicated 233 new cases were diagnosed in the past 24 hours, bringing the state’s total to 27,848. The number of new cases generally has been trending lower the past six weeks.
It generally takes two to three weeks for virus spread to start showing up in the data.
—


thedenverpost--2020-06-07--Broncos players, coaches show support for community during downtown march

For nine minutes , Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton was motionless .
For nine minutes , he rested on one knee , looking down at the ground .
For nine minutes on Saturday , a city ’ s professional football team and its citizens joined as one .
After a march through downtown , nearly 50 Broncos players and 20 coaches stopped outside the Denver Performing Arts Center , joined by hundreds .
The plaza was packed to protest racial inequality and police brutality , nearly two weeks after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody , his head pinned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seconds .
And if there was one unforgettable image , it was Sutton , the back of his T-shirt saying , “ If You Ain ’ t With Us , You Against Us.
” The moment of silence completed , Sutton and the rest of the demonstrators raised a fist into the air and chanted , “ I Can ’ t Breathe !
” The Broncos ’ primary objective : Show support , as safety Kareem Jackson said on Tuesday when suggesting the idea of a march .
“ Us here together as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ linebacker Alexander Johnson said as the march began .
“ The past few weeks , we ’ ve been communicating with each other and any conversation , good or bad , is good because it helps build unity.
” During his address , safety Justin Simmons , who flew from Florida for the event , said : “ We play for the Denver Broncos , but we ’ re not here today as the Broncos .
I ’ m here today as Justin Simmons , a member of the Denver community.
” The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Denver Inverness to board buses to the Colorado State Capitol .
A semi-complete list of who attended ran the length of the depth chart .
Black and white .
Old and young .
Established Broncos and those new to the franchise .
Veterans : Sutton , Jackson , Johnson , running back Royce Freeman , defensive end Shelby Harris , safety Justin Simmons , cornerback De ’ Vante Bausby , tight end Jake Butt , inside linebacker Todd Davis and outside linebackers Bradley Chubb , Von Miller , DeMarcus Walker and Jeremiah Attaochu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , left guard Dalton Risner , center Patrick Morris , receiver Dionate Spencer , cornerback Davontae Harris , outside linebackers Justin Hollins and Malik Reed and tight ends Noah Fant ( with his dog ) , Andrew Beck and Austin Fort .
Rookies : Receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler and outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka .
And coaches : Vic Fangio , coordinators Pat Shurmur ( offense ) , Ed Donatell ( defense ) and Tom McMahon ( special teams ) and position coaches Curtis Modkins ( running backs ) , Zach Azzanni @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tight ends ) , Bill Kollar ( defensive line ) and Chris Kuper ( assistant offensive line ) .
President/CEO Joe Ellis was also in attendance .
The Broncos gathered on the east side of the capitol and began their walk to the Civic Center Plaza .
Attaochu led the crowd in prayer before speaking of his upbringing after arriving from Nigeria .
“ I grew up in the inner cities of Washington , D.C. , and I saw my black brothers and sisters and what it was like to go to terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Attaochu said .
“ Luckily for me , I was blessed with the ‘ No Child Left Behind ( Act ) , ’ and got to a better school .
That gave me a better opportunity and a better view on life .
“ As players , we ’ re here to be agents of change when it comes to policy and really taking part in the way this country works .
That ’ s the only way we ’ ll fix it , if we use our voices to speak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t allowing our people to be successful and have a chance at life.
” Simmons , the Broncos ’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2019 because of his charitable efforts , thanked supporters “ from the bottom of my heart , ” for their attendance and effort .
“ It ’ s a privilege to come back here to show the support for our community because you showed your support to us , ” Simmons said .
“ I ’ m working the same ways you ’ re working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ better life for the black community .
I want to challenge both sides of the spectrum .
My white brothers and sisters , it ’ s important you are here and your voice is heard and it matters.
” Simmons urged his “ black brothers and sisters to keep fighting the good fight .
Listen , I understand the grief and I understand the pain .
I ’ ve seen it .
I ’ ve been a part of it .
But I ’ m telling you , hate does not drive out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we stick together .
This is making a difference.
” After the five players completed their speeches , the Broncos and demonstrators marched a path from Colfax to Lincoln , 14th Street , Fox , Glenarm , 16th Street and Champa before eventually arriving at the Denver Performing Arts Complex .
Along the way , players grabbed bottles of water from volunteers stationed on the sidewalks and offered them to demonstrators walking side by side with them .
At 2:48 p.m. , the crowd became silent for nine minutes to honor Floyd .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ presence as much as Broncos were impacted by the community .
Attaochu concluded his impressive address by saying , “ You can ’ t put a Band-Aid on old wounds .
Over-policing , police brutality , hate , racism — that is all built by the system and the younger generation is tired of it .
We want some real healing .
We need to heal as a country .
”

For nine minutes, Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton was motionless. For nine minutes, he rested on one knee, looking down at the ground. For nine minutes on Saturday, a city’s professional football team and its citizens joined as one.
After a march through downtown, nearly 50 Broncos players and 20 coaches stopped outside the Denver Performing Arts Center, joined by hundreds. The plaza was packed to protest racial inequality and police brutality, nearly two weeks after George Floyd died in Minneapolis police custody, his head pinned to the asphalt for 8 minutes, 46 seconds.
And if there was one unforgettable image, it was Sutton, the back of his T-shirt saying, “If You Ain’t With Us, You Against Us.” The moment of silence completed, Sutton and the rest of the demonstrators raised a fist into the air and chanted, “I Can’t Breathe!”
The Broncos’ primary objective: Show support, as safety Kareem Jackson said on Tuesday when suggesting the idea of a march.
“Us here together as a team is powerful,” inside linebacker Alexander Johnson said as the march began. “The past few weeks, we’ve been communicating with each other and any conversation, good or bad, is good because it helps build unity.”
During his address, safety Justin Simmons, who flew from Florida for the event, said: “We play for the Denver Broncos, but we’re not here today as the Broncos. I’m here today as Justin Simmons, a member of the Denver community.”
The players and coaches met at the Hilton Denver Inverness to board buses to the Colorado State Capitol. A semi-complete list of who attended ran the length of the depth chart. Black and white. Old and young. Established Broncos and those new to the franchise.
Veterans: Sutton, Jackson, Johnson, running back Royce Freeman, defensive end Shelby Harris, safety Justin Simmons, cornerback De’Vante Bausby, tight end Jake Butt, inside linebacker Todd Davis and outside linebackers Bradley Chubb, Von Miller, DeMarcus Walker and Jeremiah Attaochu.
Young players: Quarterback Drew Lock, left guard Dalton Risner, center Patrick Morris, receiver Dionate Spencer, cornerback Davontae Harris, outside linebackers Justin Hollins and Malik Reed and tight ends Noah Fant (with his dog), Andrew Beck and Austin Fort.
New players: Defensive end Jurrell Casey, back-up quarterback Jeff Driskel, punter Sam Martin and tight end Nick Vannett.
Rookies: Receivers Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler and outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka.
And coaches: Vic Fangio, coordinators Pat Shurmur (offense), Ed Donatell (defense) and Tom McMahon (special teams) and position coaches Curtis Modkins (running backs), Zach Azzanni (receivers), Wade Harman (tight ends), Bill Kollar (defensive line) and Chris Kuper (assistant offensive line). President/CEO Joe Ellis was also in attendance.
The Broncos gathered on the east side of the capitol and began their walk to the Civic Center Plaza.
Attaochu, Simmons, Johnson, Bausby, Miller and Davontae Harris all addressed demonstrators.
Attaochu led the crowd in prayer before speaking of his upbringing after arriving from Nigeria.
“I grew up in the inner cities of Washington, D.C., and I saw my black brothers and sisters and what it was like to go to terrible schools because of where I was living,” Attaochu said. “Luckily for me, I was blessed with the ‘No Child Left Behind (Act),’ and got to a better school. That gave me a better opportunity and a better view on life.
“As players, we’re here to be agents of change when it comes to policy and really taking part in the way this country works. That’s the only way we’ll fix it, if we use our voices to speak out on policy for things that aren’t allowing our people to be successful and have a chance at life.”
Simmons, the Broncos’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee in 2019 because of his charitable efforts, thanked supporters “from the bottom of my heart,” for their attendance and effort.
“It’s a privilege to come back here to show the support for our community because you showed your support to us,” Simmons said. “I’m working the same ways you’re working, trying to find solutions for a better life for the black community. I want to challenge both sides of the spectrum. My white brothers and sisters, it’s important you are here and your voice is heard and it matters.”
Simmons urged his “black brothers and sisters to keep fighting the good fight. Listen, I understand the grief and I understand the pain. I’ve seen it. I’ve been a part of it. But I’m telling you, hate does not drive out hate. We have to make sure we stick together. This is making a difference.”
After the five players completed their speeches, the Broncos and demonstrators marched a path from Colfax to Lincoln, 14th Street, Fox, Glenarm, 16th Street and Champa before eventually arriving at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Along the way, players grabbed bottles of water from volunteers stationed on the sidewalks and offered them to demonstrators walking side by side with them.
At 2:48 p.m., the crowd became silent for nine minutes to honor Floyd.
The community was impacted by the Broncos’ presence as much as Broncos were impacted by the community.
Attaochu concluded his impressive address by saying, “You can’t put a Band-Aid on old wounds. Over-policing, police brutality, hate, racism — that is all built by the system and the younger generation is tired of it. We want some real healing. We need to heal as a country.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--Squall line produces dangerous, hurricane-force winds across Colorado

Thunderstorms that originated in eastern Utah and along the Western Slope formed a squall line that produced damaging winds and power outages across the state Saturday afternoon , according to National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Hanson .
Wind damage was recorded in just about every corner of Colorado , from Durango to Sterling and from Greystone to Springfield .
Trees and downed power lines knocked out electricity for thousands in the state , and pea-sized hail was reported in scattered areas , including Peyton , Pueblo and Manitou Springs .
Grand Junction recorded some flooding , but rain generally was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down by hurricane-force winds in Denver , Durango , Aurora and elsewhere .
Shortly before 5 p.m. , 95,000 Coloradans were without power .
Peak gusts reached 78 mph just after 4 p.m. in Denver , but Denver International Airport recorded only three-hundredths of an inch of rain .
“ This was really an unusual setup for Colorado , ” Hanson said .
“ We had a severe thunderstorm watch this morning in western Colorado .
Thunderstorms normally just form over the mountains or foothills and over the plains .
We already had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the atmosphere , and it didn ’ t take a lot of energy from the thunderstorms to increase the wind.
” A gust of 110 mph was recorded about 3 p.m. in Winter Park .
A forward speed above 100 mph is considered to be meteorologically off the charts .
A one-hour radar loop showed the storm , which stretched across the state north to south , likely moving near 100 mph for an hour as it moved east .
The storm speeds drew attention from meteorologists across the country on Saturday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ included 86 mph in Buford , 85 mph in Cedar Point , 78 mph at Chatfield Reservoir , 79 mph at Copper Mountain , 78 mph at Barr Lake .
Other reports of high wind came from the Moab , Utah , area and along southern Wyoming .
Cheyenne reported winds of 70 mph .
Along the Front Range , some of the measurements were 69 mph at the Air Force Academy , 70 mph in Morrison and 63 mph at Buckley Air Force Base .
A sharp upper-level area of low pressure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fast-moving storms .
While winds at the upper levels of the atmosphere are typically confined to air well above the surface , the strong upward motion of Saturday ’ s storms allowed them to mix down to the surface .
That led to wind speeds that topped 50 and even 60 mph across much of the Front Range on Saturday afternoon .
A sharp contrast between cool , dry air behind the system and warmer and more humid air ahead of it allowed for fast forward speeds of the storms as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to this report .

Thunderstorms that originated in eastern Utah and along the Western Slope formed a squall line that produced damaging winds and power outages across the state Saturday afternoon, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Hanson.
Wind damage was recorded in just about every corner of Colorado, from Durango to Sterling and from Greystone to Springfield. Trees and downed power lines knocked out electricity for thousands in the state, and pea-sized hail was reported in scattered areas, including Peyton, Pueblo and Manitou Springs.
Grand Junction recorded some flooding, but rain generally was not the problem. Trees were blown down by hurricane-force winds in Denver, Durango, Aurora and elsewhere. Shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday, about 45,000 Xcel customers across Colorado remained without power — most in and around Denver.
A hard rain’s gonna …
At end of Broncos march thru downtown, powerful storm blew in, and caught this car near Wash Park. pic.twitter.com/CyOfynB6kc — Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) June 6, 2020
Peak gusts reached 78 mph just after 4 p.m. in Denver, but Denver International Airport recorded only three-hundredths of an inch of rain.
“This was really an unusual setup for Colorado,” Hanson said. “We had a severe thunderstorm watch this morning in western Colorado. Thunderstorms normally just form over the mountains or foothills and over the plains. We already had very strong winds in lower part of the atmosphere, and it didn’t take a lot of energy from the thunderstorms to increase the wind.”
A gust of 110 mph was recorded about 3 p.m. in Winter Park. A forward speed above 100 mph is considered to be meteorologically off the charts. A one-hour radar loop showed the storm, which stretched across the state north to south, likely moving near 100 mph for an hour as it moved east. The storm speeds drew attention from meteorologists across the country on Saturday.
Other powerful winds recorded in the state included 86 mph in Buford, 85 mph in Cedar Point, 78 mph at Chatfield Reservoir, 79 mph at Copper Mountain, 78 mph at Barr Lake. Other reports of high wind came from the Moab, Utah, area and along southern Wyoming. Cheyenne reported winds of 70 mph.
Along the Front Range, some of the measurements were 69 mph at the Air Force Academy, 70 mph in Morrison and 63 mph at Buckley Air Force Base.
A sharp upper-level area of low pressure spinning through the West was responsible for the fast-moving storms. While winds at the upper levels of the atmosphere are typically confined to air well above the surface, the strong upward motion of Saturday’s storms allowed them to mix down to the surface. That led to wind speeds that topped 50 and even 60 mph across much of the Front Range on Saturday afternoon.
A sharp contrast between cool, dry air behind the system and warmer and more humid air ahead of it allowed for fast forward speeds of the storms as well.
Chris Bianchi of WeatherNation TV contributed to this report.


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--NBA offers clarity on tiebreakers with uneven schedule

MIAMI — The NBA has told teams that playoff seeding will be based on winning percentage , and that any tiebreakers necessary after that will follow the usual procedures .
It was an issue that needed clarity because the 22 teams that will be going to the Disney complex near Orlando , Florida , for the planned resumption of the season next month will not have played the same number of games .
The NBA told teams of the plan for utilizing tiebreakers in a memo late Friday .
Based on the league plan for the restart , with games @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will end up playing an NBA-high 75 contests .
Most others will play between 72 and 74 ; the low total will be 71 , which San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers will finish at if the NBA ’ s plans for teams to play eight games at the Disney complex before the playoffs begin comes to fruition .
The NBA has not yet revealed how team schedules will be adjusted once play resumes without Atlanta , Charlotte , Chicago , Cleveland , Detroit , Golden State , Minnesota and New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2019-20 season .
There are some playoff races that are particularly close and where the teams involved will end up playing a different number of games .
In the East , Brooklyn and Orlando are separated by a half-game and the Nets will end up with one less game than the Magic .
In the West , four teams — Portland , New Orleans , Sacramento and San Antonio — are all separated by a half-game in the race for ninth place and potentially a berth in a play-in series .
The gap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ points , and the Trail Blazers will play 74 games , the Pelicans and Kings will both play 72 and the Spurs 71 .
Typically , NBA teams play 82 games — which wasn ’ t possible this season because of the coronavirus pandemic and the suspension of the season on March 11 .
This will be the first season in which NBA teams play an uneven number of games since 2012-13 , when a game between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers was canceled in response to the Boston Marathon bombing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ games , though that did not have any impact on playoff seeding that season .

MIAMI — The NBA has told teams that playoff seeding will be based on winning percentage, and that any tiebreakers necessary after that will follow the usual procedures.
It was an issue that needed clarity because the 22 teams that will be going to the Disney complex near Orlando, Florida, for the planned resumption of the season next month will not have played the same number of games.
The NBA told teams of the plan for utilizing tiebreakers in a memo late Friday.
Based on the league plan for the restart, with games starting again in late July, Dallas will end up playing an NBA-high 75 contests. Most others will play between 72 and 74; the low total will be 71, which San Antonio and the Los Angeles Lakers will finish at if the NBA’s plans for teams to play eight games at the Disney complex before the playoffs begin comes to fruition.
The NBA has not yet revealed how team schedules will be adjusted once play resumes without Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Golden State, Minnesota and New York taking part in the remainder of the 2019-20 season.
There are some playoff races that are particularly close and where the teams involved will end up playing a different number of games.
In the East, Brooklyn and Orlando are separated by a half-game and the Nets will end up with one less game than the Magic.
In the West, four teams — Portland, New Orleans, Sacramento and San Antonio — are all separated by a half-game in the race for ninth place and potentially a berth in a play-in series. The gap between those four teams is .010 percentage points, and the Trail Blazers will play 74 games, the Pelicans and Kings will both play 72 and the Spurs 71.
Typically, NBA teams play 82 games — which wasn’t possible this season because of the coronavirus pandemic and the suspension of the season on March 11.
This will be the first season in which NBA teams play an uneven number of games since 2012-13, when a game between the Boston Celtics and Indiana Pacers was canceled in response to the Boston Marathon bombing. The Celtics and Pacers finished at 81 games, though that did not have any impact on playoff seeding that season.


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--Colorado state senator faces backlash for comments during debt collection bill hearing

A Colorado state senator on Saturday faced backlash after he said a bill about debt collection limits would allow the government to “ step in , and step on the neck ” of people .
The remarks by Sen .
Rob Woodward , R-Loveland , come as protesters gather outside the Capitol for another day of demonstrations following the death of George Floyd , a black man who was killed after a white police officer pressed a knee to his neck .
Woodward caught himself in the middle of the comment and said , “ I don ’ t want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside right now.
” But the statement , along with a reference to “ colored people ” during his remarks about the prevalence of debt collection among black Coloradans , drew the ire of his colleagues .
“ We just had a colleague ( speaking ) about debt collection , use the term ‘ step on the neck ’ , ” said Sen .
Faith Winter , D-Westminster , during the hearing .
“ And that is so hurtful and so problematic right now.
” Woodward apologized on Facebook for his comments .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ phrase “ step on the neck ” is one often used by both parties on the Senate floor and that he cut himself off .
“ Even though that phrase has been used in the past , it certainly is not appropriate in today ’ s environment based on what happened in Minneapolis , ” Woodward said .
He also said that during his speech he read a transcription of previous comments made by Sen. Julie Gonzales , a sponsor of the bill , and that there was an error in the transcription @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gonzales did not use the phrase either and Woodward said he plans to apologize to her on Monday .
“ Of course that ’ s not something I would ever say , but I didn ’ t want to misquote her , ” he said .
“ I should probably have skipped over those words if I was concerned about them , but I thought I was reading word for word.
” Under the proposed bill , people would not have their wages or bank account garnished for 180 days if they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financially because of the coronavirus pandemic .
In an interview , Winter said it was the second time this week that she ’ s asked Republican lawmakers to be careful with their language after another legislator used the word “ thug , ” which is often used to demonize and criminalize black men .
“ Words matter and they have power , especially when you are a senator , ” she said , adding , “ In this moment , in this time , it is important for white people to do the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be uncomfortable , and to have these conversations .
”

A Colorado state senator on Saturday faced backlash after he said a bill about debt collection limits would allow the government to “step in, and step on the neck” of people.
The remarks by Sen. Rob Woodward, R-Loveland, come as protesters gather outside the Capitol for another day of demonstrations following the death of George Floyd, a black man who was killed after a white police officer pressed a knee to his neck.
Woodward caught himself in the middle of the comment and said, “I don’t want to lean on other events going on outside right now.” But the statement, along with a reference to “colored people” during his remarks about the prevalence of debt collection among black Coloradans, drew the ire of his colleagues.
“We just had a colleague (speaking) about debt collection, use the term ‘step on the neck’,” said Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, during the hearing. “And that is so hurtful and so problematic right now.”
Today on the floor, @SenatorWoodward made a racis— oh wait, an ill-conceived comment in regards to protecting Coloradans from extraordinary debt collections. https://t.co/rzVFk9E70D — Senadora Julie Gonzales (@SenadoraJulie) June 6, 2020
Woodward apologized on Facebook for his comments.
In an interview, he said the phrase “step on the neck” is one often used by both parties on the Senate floor and that he cut himself off.
“Even though that phrase has been used in the past, it certainly is not appropriate in today’s environment based on what happened in Minneapolis,” Woodward said.
He also said that during his speech he read a transcription of previous comments made by Sen. Julie Gonzales, a sponsor of the bill, and that there was an error in the transcription that included the phrase “colored people.” Gonzales did not use the phrase either and Woodward said he plans to apologize to her on Monday.
“Of course that’s not something I would ever say, but I didn’t want to misquote her,” he said. “I should probably have skipped over those words if I was concerned about them, but I thought I was reading word for word.”
Under the proposed bill, people would not have their wages or bank account garnished for 180 days if they are able to show they are struggling financially because of the coronavirus pandemic.
In an interview, Winter said it was the second time this week that she’s asked Republican lawmakers to be careful with their language after another legislator used the word “thug,” which is often used to demonize and criminalize black men.
“Words matter and they have power, especially when you are a senator,” she said, adding, “In this moment, in this time, it is important for white people to do the work, to be antiracist, to be uncomfortable, and to have these conversations.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--What! Storms in western Colorado moved at over 100 mph Saturday.

If a state trooper had been clocking Saturday ’ s storms in western Colorado , they might ’ ve had to pull them over for speeding .
Severe thunderstorms in western Colorado and eastern Utah were moving as fast as an estimated 120 mph late on Saturday morning , according to the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction , among the highest speeds ever seen in association with a severe thunderstorm warning .
There are no official records for the estimated speed of a storm , but a forward speed above 100 mph is considered to be meteorologically off-the-charts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ storms likely moving near 100 mph for the duration of an hour as they moved from west-central into northwestern Colorado .
The storm speeds drew attention from meteorologists across the country on Saturday , with several commenting on the unusually fast forward motion of the storms .
A sharp upper level area of low pressure spinning through the western U.S. was responsible for the highly unusually fast-moving storms on Saturday , which also led to notable wind-producing storms across Colorado and much of the inner-mountain West .
While winds at the upper levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air well above the surface , the strong upward motion of Saturday ’ s storms allowed them to mix down to the surface .
That led to wind speeds that topped 50 and even 60 mph across much of the Front Range on Saturday afternoon , before the storms even arrived .
A sharp contrast between cool , dry air behind the system and warmer and more humid air ahead of it allowed for fast forward speeds of the storms as well .
Cooler and drier air is denser than warmer and more @ @ @

If a state trooper had been clocking Saturday’s storms in western Colorado, they might’ve had to pull them over for speeding.
Severe thunderstorms in western Colorado and eastern Utah were moving as fast as an estimated 120 mph late on Saturday morning, according to the National Weather Service office in Grand Junction, among the highest speeds ever seen in association with a severe thunderstorm warning.
There are no official records for the estimated speed of a storm, but a forward speed above 100 mph is considered to be meteorologically off-the-charts. A one-hour radar loop showed the storms likely moving near 100 mph for the duration of an hour as they moved from west-central into northwestern Colorado.
Final verdict: I'd guess ~80-90 mph forward motion on those storms. May have been higher at times. #COwx pic.twitter.com/42djPoRQ9j — Chris Bianchi (@BianchiWeather) June 6, 2020
The storm speeds drew attention from meteorologists across the country on Saturday, with several commenting on the unusually fast forward motion of the storms.
A thunderstorm in eastern Utah and western Colorado is moving at 115 mph. https://t.co/nKR9kQ7o0r — JohnBelski (@WLKYJohnBelski) June 6, 2020
ICYMI: A severe thunderstorm in Colorado this afternoon was moving to the North at 115 MPH?!? I wonder if this was a fluke when typing up the warning or not?! #COWX #SevereWeather ⛈⛈😳😳 https://t.co/DxMZzQvbyj — Bryan Schuerman, M.Ed. (@BSchuermanWX) June 6, 2020
A sharp upper level area of low pressure spinning through the western U.S. was responsible for the highly unusually fast-moving storms on Saturday, which also led to notable wind-producing storms across Colorado and much of the inner-mountain West.
While winds at the upper levels of the atmosphere are typically confined to air well above the surface, the strong upward motion of Saturday’s storms allowed them to mix down to the surface. That led to wind speeds that topped 50 and even 60 mph across much of the Front Range on Saturday afternoon, before the storms even arrived.
A sharp contrast between cool, dry air behind the system and warmer and more humid air ahead of it allowed for fast forward speeds of the storms as well. Cooler and drier air is denser than warmer and more humid air.


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--UFC 250 live blog: Real-time updates from fight night in Las Vegas

Live updates , tweets , photos , analysis and more from UFC 250 on June 6 , 2020 .
Mobile @ @ @ @ @ ’ t see the live blog , tap here .

The Denver Post is a nine-time Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper that has covered the Rocky Mountain Empire since 1892.


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--Protesters gather to remember Elijah McClain, killed in encounter with Aurora police

Demonstrators gathered Saturday in Aurora to decry the death and honor the life of Elijah McClain , 23 , who was declared brain dead in August , days after Aurora Police tackled him , performed a choke hold and injected him with Ketamine while McClain was walking along Billings Street .
Amid nationwide protest movements sparked by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd , McClain ’ s mother , Sheneen McClain , told the Aurora Sentinel : “ I can not speak on George ’ s death because Colorado didn ’ t care about Elijah ’ s death .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ n ) accountability for their own residents but urges justice for someone in a different ZIP Code.
” Among the protesters out Saturday was MiDian Holmes .
“ I didn ’ t show up ( when McClain was killed ) and that ’ s not OK. As this continues to happen , the moment we normalize it is the moment we all come complicit , ” Holmes said .
On Aug. 24 , Aurora police officers responded to a call about a “ suspicious person ” wearing a ski mask and waving his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members said that McClain often wore masks when outside because of the blood condition anemia , which made him become cold easily .
McClain , who was unarmed , refused to stop when police first approached him .
The 140-pound man was tackled and pinned to the ground with officers using a “ carotid control hold ” on him .
McClain whimpered , asking police to stop , informing officers he couldn ’ t breathe and vomiting multiple times .
Adams County District Attorney Dave Young found no criminal acts were committed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Speaking to the crowd that gathered despite powerful winds , Ryan Ross , who has made a career out of helping create leadership opportunities for minority youth , urged : “ Educate yourself .
Understand you ’ ve been lied to for a long time .
Ignorance is not bliss , and it can ’ t be tolerated.
” The event was interrupted by a brief but intense storm that drove the crowd inside the Aurora Municipal Center .
The weather also threatened George Floyd protesters elsewhere in Colorado , including in downtown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 10th straight night — the second since Denver lifted its curfew and the first since a federal judge ordered Denver police to limit their use of chemicals and projectiles on protesters .
Clashes between protesters and police had already died down in recent days , and the demonstrations have taken on a less tense atmosphere .
At Civic Center , a crowd of about a thousand people — fewer than have turned out previously — sat or stood on the lawn listening as speakers shared their fears about family members ’ safety @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Brass performed and then led the crowd as it began to march about 7 p.m .

Demonstrators gathered Saturday in Aurora to decry the death and honor the life of Elijah McClain, 23, who was declared brain dead in August, days after Aurora Police tackled him and performed a choke hold and medical responders injected him with Ketamine while McClain was walking along Billings Street.
Amid nationwide protest movements sparked by the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, McClain’s mother, Sheneen McClain, told the Aurora Sentinel: “I cannot speak on George’s death because Colorado didn’t care about Elijah’s death. Selective Protesting. Colorado fails i(n) accountability for their own residents but urges justice for someone in a different ZIP Code.”
Among the protesters out Saturday was MiDian Holmes. “I didn’t show up (when McClain was killed) and that’s not OK. As this continues to happen, the moment we normalize it is the moment we all come complicit,” Holmes said.
On Aug. 24, Aurora police officers responded to a call about a “suspicious person” wearing a ski mask and waving his arms, police have said. Family members said that McClain often wore masks when outside because of the blood condition anemia, which made him become cold easily.
McClain, who was unarmed, refused to stop when police first approached him. The 140-pound man was tackled and pinned to the ground with officers using a “carotid control hold” on him. McClain whimpered, asking police to stop, informing officers he couldn’t breathe and vomiting multiple times.
Adams County District Attorney Dave Young found no criminal acts were committed by Aurora officers the day McClain died.
Speaking to the crowd that gathered despite powerful winds, Ryan Ross, who has made a career out of helping create leadership opportunities for minority youth, urged: “Educate yourself. Understand you’ve been lied to for a long time. Ignorance is not bliss, and it can’t be tolerated.”
The event was interrupted by a brief but intense storm that drove the crowd inside the Aurora Municipal Center.
The weather also threatened George Floyd protesters elsewhere in Colorado, including in downtown Denver. Still, people gathered for a 10th straight night — the second since Denver lifted its curfew and the first since a federal judge ordered Denver police to limit their use of chemicals and projectiles on protesters. Clashes between protesters and police had already died down in recent days, and the demonstrations have taken on a less tense atmosphere.
At Civic Center, a crowd of about a thousand people — fewer than have turned out previously — sat or stood on the lawn listening as speakers shared their fears about family members’ safety because of police behavior.
The Brothers of Brass performed and then led the crowd as it began to march about 7 p.m. The number of participants grew as they wound around downtown, Capitol Hill, past the governor’s mansion — which Jared Polis doesn’t live in — and back to the Capitol. Organizers urged protesters to go home at 10 p.m., and most people seemed to be doing so.


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--White House, Pentagon tensions near breaking point

WASHINGTON — Tensions between the White House and Pentagon have stretched to near a breaking point over President Donald Trump ’ s threat to use military force against street protests triggered by George Floyd ’ s death .
Friction in this relationship , historically , is not unusual .
But in recent days , and for the second time in Trump ’ s term , it has raised a prospect of high-level resignations and the risk of lasting damage to the military ’ s reputation .
Calm may return , both in the crisis over Floyd ’ s death and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s threats to use federal troops to put down protesters .
But it could leave a residue of resentment and unease about this president ’ s approach to the military , whose leaders welcome his push for bigger budgets but chafe at being seen as political tools .
The nub of the problem is that Trump sees no constraint on his authority to use what he calls the “ unlimited power ” of the military even against U.S. citizens if he believes it necessary .
Military leaders generally take a far different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , trained to hunt and kill an enemy , should be used to enforce the law only in the most extreme emergency , such as an attempted actual rebellion .
That limit exists , they argue , to keep the public ’ s trust .
Vincent K. Brooks , a recently retired Army four-star general , says this “ sacred trust ” has been breached by Trump ’ s threat to commit active-duty troops for law enforcement in states where he deems a governor has not not tough enough against protesters .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , especially the active-duty military — ‘ the regulars ’ — possessing great physical power and holding many levers that could end freedom in our society and could shut down our government , would never , never apply that power for domestic political purposes , ” Brooks wrote in an essay for Harvard University ’ s Belfer Center , where he is a senior fellow .
Even beyond the prospect of using active-duty forces , the presence of National Guard troops on the streets of the nation ’ s capital has drawn criticism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have used improperly to intimidate protesters .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper has made known his regret at having accompanied Trump to a presidential photo opportunity in front of a church near the White House .
He has said he did not see it coming — a blind spot that cost him in the eyes of critics who saw a supposedly apolitical Pentagon chief implicitly endorsing a political agenda .
Esper two days later risked Trump ’ s ire when he stepped before reporters at the Pentagon to declare his opposition to Trump invoking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows a president to use the armed forces “ as he considers necessary ” when “ unlawful obstructions … or rebellion against the authority of the United States ” make it impractical to enforce U.S. laws in any state by normal means .
Esper said plainly that he saw no need for such an extreme measure , a clear counterpoint to Trump ’ s threat to use force .
Almost immediately , word came from the White House that Trump was unhappy with his defense secretary , who often mentions his own military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ veteran of the 1991 Gulf War in Iraq .
On Saturday , the White House press secretary , Kayleigh McEnany , said Trump “ remains confident ” in Esper .
“ Secretary Esper has been instrumental in securing our nation ’ s streets and ensuring Americans have peace and confidence in the security of their places of business , places of worship , and their homes , ” she said .
After a night of sometimes violent protesting in Washington last Sunday , Esper pulled several active-duty units , including a military police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nation ’ s capital .
He never called them into action and may have figured that positioning them close to the capital would give him more time to dissuade Trump from resorting to the Insurrection Act .
On Friday , officials said the last of those active-duty units were being sent back home .
Trump lost his first defense secretary , retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis , over an accumulation of grievances , and it took an unusually long time to replace him .
For half a year after Mattis resigned in December @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acting secretaries of defense — three in succession , the longest such stretch of interim leadership in Pentagon history — before Esper took over last July .
This week , Mattis added weight to the worry that Trump is militarizing his response to the street protests in Washington and across the nation .
Calling himself “ angry and appalled , ” Mattis wrote in an essay for The Atlantic that keeping public order in times of civil unrest is the duty of civilian state and local authorities who best understand their communities and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response , as we witnessed in Washington , D.C. , sets up a conflict — a false conflict — between the military and civilian society , ” Mattis wrote .
The worry felt among Pentagon leaders is reflected in the Joint Chiefs chairman , Gen. Mark Milley , reaching out privately to members of Congress in recent days to discuss concerns about use of the military on American streets .
Milley has been publicly quiet since he caused a stir by joining Esper on a walk with Trump across Lafayette Square for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were awkward .
Police had forcibly pushed peaceful protesters out of the way just before Trump and his entourage strolled to St. John ’ s Episcopal Church in the square , where Trump held up a Bible .
Esper made matters worse by saying , in a conference call earlier that day with governors , that they should use their National Guard troops to dominate the “ battlespace , ” a term widely interpreted by critics as suggesting street protesters should be treated like battlefield enemies .
Esper said later it was a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not a ‘ battle space , ’ former Defense Secretary William J. Perry said in a statement .
“ And the people he threatens to dominate are American citizens , not enemy combatants .
”

WASHINGTON — Tensions between the White House and Pentagon have stretched to near a breaking point over President Donald Trump’s threat to use military force against street protests triggered by George Floyd’s death.
Friction in this relationship, historically, is not unusual. But in recent days, and for the second time in Trump’s term, it has raised a prospect of high-level resignations and the risk of lasting damage to the military’s reputation.
Calm may return, both in the crisis over Floyd’s death and in Pentagon leaders’ angst over Trump’s threats to use federal troops to put down protesters. But it could leave a residue of resentment and unease about this president’s approach to the military, whose leaders welcome his push for bigger budgets but chafe at being seen as political tools.
The nub of the problem is that Trump sees no constraint on his authority to use what he calls the “unlimited power” of the military even against U.S. citizens if he believes it necessary. Military leaders generally take a far different view. They believe that active-duty troops, trained to hunt and kill an enemy, should be used to enforce the law only in the most extreme emergency, such as an attempted actual rebellion. That limit exists, they argue, to keep the public’s trust.
Vincent K. Brooks, a recently retired Army four-star general, says this “sacred trust” has been breached by Trump’s threat to commit active-duty troops for law enforcement in states where he deems a governor has not not tough enough against protesters.
“It is a trust that the military, especially the active-duty military — ‘the regulars’ — possessing great physical power and holding many levers that could end freedom in our society and could shut down our government, would never, never apply that power for domestic political purposes,” Brooks wrote in an essay for Harvard University’s Belfer Center, where he is a senior fellow.
Even beyond the prospect of using active-duty forces, the presence of National Guard troops on the streets of the nation’s capital has drawn criticism, particularly after a Guard helicopter may have used improperly to intimidate protesters.
Defense Secretary Mark Esper has made known his regret at having accompanied Trump to a presidential photo opportunity in front of a church near the White House. He has said he did not see it coming — a blind spot that cost him in the eyes of critics who saw a supposedly apolitical Pentagon chief implicitly endorsing a political agenda.
Esper two days later risked Trump’s ire when he stepped before reporters at the Pentagon to declare his opposition to Trump invoking the two-centuries-old Insurrection Act. That law allows a president to use the armed forces “as he considers necessary” when “unlawful obstructions … or rebellion against the authority of the United States” make it impractical to enforce U.S. laws in any state by normal means.
Esper said plainly that he saw no need for such an extreme measure, a clear counterpoint to Trump’s threat to use force. Almost immediately, word came from the White House that Trump was unhappy with his defense secretary, who often mentions his own military credentials as a West Point graduate and veteran of the 1991 Gulf War in Iraq.
On Saturday, the White House press secretary, Kayleigh McEnany, said Trump “remains confident” in Esper.
“Secretary Esper has been instrumental in securing our nation’s streets and ensuring Americans have peace and confidence in the security of their places of business, places of worship, and their homes,” she said.
After a night of sometimes violent protesting in Washington last Sunday, Esper pulled several active-duty units, including a military police battalion, to bases just outside the nation’s capital. He never called them into action and may have figured that positioning them close to the capital would give him more time to dissuade Trump from resorting to the Insurrection Act. On Friday, officials said the last of those active-duty units were being sent back home.
Trump lost his first defense secretary, retired Marine Gen. Jim Mattis, over an accumulation of grievances, and it took an unusually long time to replace him. For half a year after Mattis resigned in December 2018, the Pentagon was run by acting secretaries of defense — three in succession, the longest such stretch of interim leadership in Pentagon history — before Esper took over last July.
This week, Mattis added weight to the worry that Trump is militarizing his response to the street protests in Washington and across the nation.
Calling himself “angry and appalled,” Mattis wrote in an essay for The Atlantic that keeping public order in times of civil unrest is the duty of civilian state and local authorities who best understand their communities and are answerable to them..
“Militarizing our response, as we witnessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict — a false conflict — between the military and civilian society,” Mattis wrote.
The worry felt among Pentagon leaders is reflected in the Joint Chiefs chairman, Gen. Mark Milley, reaching out privately to members of Congress in recent days to discuss concerns about use of the military on American streets.
Milley has been publicly quiet since he caused a stir by joining Esper on a walk with Trump across Lafayette Square for a presidential photo opportunity Monday. The optics were awkward. Police had forcibly pushed peaceful protesters out of the way just before Trump and his entourage strolled to St. John’s Episcopal Church in the square, where Trump held up a Bible.
Esper made matters worse by saying, in a conference call earlier that day with governors, that they should use their National Guard troops to dominate the “battlespace,” a term widely interpreted by critics as suggesting street protesters should be treated like battlefield enemies. Esper said later it was a poor choice of words.
“America is not a ‘battle space,’ former Defense Secretary William J. Perry said in a statement. “And the people he threatens to dominate are American citizens, not enemy combatants.”


thedenverpost--2020-06-06--Denver protests live: Updates from June 6 demonstrations following the death of George Floyd

For nine straight days , thousands of people have marched , sang , cheered , prayed and rallied over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police .
During the first four days in Denver , the demonstrations turned violent with vandalism , looting and some people hurling rocks , bottles and insults at police .
In return , Denver police officers fired tear gas , pepper balls and foam bullets at the protesters , many of whom were peaceful from the start .
In recent days , the demonstrations have evolved with each night taking on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s action , Saja Hindi , Noelle Phllips and Kyle Newman report .
A federal judge in Denver issued an order late Friday night that limits the Denver Police Department ’ s use of chemical weapons and non-lethal projectiles on protesters , saying that protecting First Amendment rights were more important than protecting buildings , Kieran Nicholson reports .
Denver ’ s public safety director and police chief both say they will support an independent investigation into the city ’ s police department as officers face scrutiny for their tactics during recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reports .
• June 4 — Demonstrators take to Denver ’ s streets on foot and in cars for eighth day of George Floyd protests • June 3 — Denver mayor to George Floyd protesters : After talking , “ it ’ s time to get to work ” | Denver police chief promises change and accountability in town hall , but offers few specifics | Denver mayor walks backs “ murder ” comments , though others hold him to it • June 2 — Sixth day of protest over George Floyd death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • June 1 — Fifth night of George Floyd protests remained peaceful for several hours , tear gas deployed just after midnight to disperse remaining crowd • May 31 — For fourth night , Denver police unleash tear gas and foam bullets as marchers again defy curfew • May 30 — Tear gas flies , protesters set fires on third night of unrest in Denver | As Denver curfew arrives , George Floyd protesters cheer • May 29 — Denver police deploy flash-bangs and tear gas as second day of George Floyd protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tear gas , pepper balls used on Denver crowds in George Floyd protests Thursday night More information on police and protests • Joining crowds of Denver protesters brings risk of COVID-19 exposure .
Here ’ s how to protect yourself — and when to get tested .
• Denver police chief vows to investigate use of tear gas , projectiles on peaceful protesters • Trump declares he ’ s president of law and order , warns of military deployment as protests resume • RTD restores limited bus and light rail service to and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cleanup efforts in downtown Denver after weekend of property damage • Voices from the George Floyd protest in Denver • Denver City Council members call for investigation into police use of force during George Floyd protests • Murder charge increased against ex-Minneapolis officer , 3 others charged with aiding and abetting in George Floyd ’ s death Get the latest breaking news sent straight to your inbox by signing up for email alerts .

For nine straight days, thousands of people have marched, sang, cheered, prayed and rallied over the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. During the first four days in Denver, the demonstrations turned violent with vandalism, looting and some people hurling rocks, bottles and insults at police. In return, Denver police officers fired tear gas, pepper balls and foam bullets at the protesters, many of whom were peaceful from the start. In recent days, the demonstrations have evolved with each night taking on a different dynamic than the previous night’s action, Saja Hindi, Noelle Phllips and Kyle Newman report.
A federal judge in Denver issued an order late Friday night that limits the Denver Police Department’s use of chemical weapons and non-lethal projectiles on protesters, saying that protecting First Amendment rights were more important than protecting buildings, Kieran Nicholson reports.
Denver’s public safety director and police chief both say they will support an independent investigation into the city’s police department as officers face scrutiny for their tactics during recent protests for racial justice, Jessica Seaman reports.
Previous coverage
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Jay Marshall joins hundreds of people as they march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Keith Gunter joined hundreds of people in demonstrating for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Tiffanie Ball fist-bumps another demonstrator at a rally in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. Large crowds continue to gather in the evenings in downtown Denver and across the nation, calling for better police accountability and protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post As dusk falls hundreds of people continue to march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Jay Marshall joins hundreds of people as they mach together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. Large crowds continue to gather in the evenings in downtown Denver and across the nation, calling for better police accountability and protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Hundreds of people march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Hundreds of people march together calling for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Vanessa Burciaga wore a homemade dress as she joined hundreds of people in demonstrating for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post DENVER, CO - June 5 : Hundreds of people demonstrate for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. Large crowds continue to gather in the evenings in downtown Denver and across the nation, calling for better police accountability and protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Selah Ruckard joins hundreds of people as they demonstrate for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Olivia Gardner joins hundreds of people as they demonstrate for racial justice in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post A poster of George Floyd, whose recent killing by law enforcement in Minneapolis has galvanized people around the nation, is hung near the Capitol in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. A bill making its way through the state legislature with near unanimous support would ban the use of respiratory chokeholds in all situations.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Bianca Mikahn, left, and Assétou Xango attend a rally held in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Left: From left to right minister and dean of students at DSST Green Valley Ranch Quincy Shannon, public safety director Murphy Robinson, mayor Michael B. Handcock and Rev. Eugene Downing of New Hope Baptist kneel as they honor an extended moment of Silence for George Floyd during a peaceful rally focused on unity, love, community, respect and understanding on Thursday afternoon, June 4, 2020. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post) Right: Amias Anderson, 6, waits with his mother Dymond Starr, before Anderson gave a speech to the crowd during a gathering at Civic Center Park in Denver on Thursday evening, June 4, 2020. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Left: Quincy Shannon, minister of New Hope Baptist and Dean of students at DSST Green Valley Ranch, speaks to a crowd of thousands on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Center: Denver Public Safety Director Murphy Robinson speaks about his role as both a black man and a public official who oversaw the city's response to protests in the streets of Denver on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. Right: Kenny White, who spoke up from the crowd about needing real change and reform after hearing Murphy Robinson (right), speak his mind on Wednesday, June 3, 2020. (Photos by AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post)
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Ayana Chopra, 7, chalks next to a mural of Breonna Taylor, who was recently killed by law enforcement in Kentucky, during a rally with in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Two people stand with clasped hands as they join hundreds of protesters during a rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Murals of George Floyd, left, and Breonna Taylor, both of whom were recently killed by law enforcement in Minneapolis and Kentucky respectively, are visited by people gathering in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Hundreds of people rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Hundreds of people rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Hundreds of people rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020.
Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post Hundreds of people rally in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in Denver on Friday, June 5, 2020. Large crowds continue to gather in the evenings in downtown Denver and across the nation, calling for better police accountability and protesting the deaths of black people at the hands of law enforcement.
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