BLACK LIVES MATTER - AURORA
Aurora, Colorado
On July 25, 2020, I attended a rally organized by the Denver Party for Socialism and Liberation. PSL calls for total police abolishment to be replaced with community led protection.
Several hundred protesters gathered in front of the Aurora Police Department Headquarters with support from dozens of local mothers, wearing yellow ponchos, carrying signs that read “All Moms Were Called.” PSL organizers and mothers shared their message through the story of Elijah McLain, personal anecdotes, chants and signs. After a drizzle of rain passed, they marched and took over Interstate 225 just down the road, shutting down both sides of the freeway.
Minutes later, chaos ensued as a jeep attempted to run through the back of the protest. During that moment, a protester used his weapon to shoot at the tires. The bullet ricochetted and grazed a protester in the head, as shown in blue below. Another woman broke her leg as she scrambled for safety.
The following photos capture the scene leading onto the freeway before the event organized at the Aurora Police Department. All faces or identifiable features have been shared with full permission and understanding.
Hundreds shut down Interstate 225 in Aurora, Colorado to emphasize their call for police abolishment on July 25, 2020.
A wall of mothers wearing yellow shirts that read 'All Mothers Were Summoned' led the march from the Aurora Police Department to Interstate 225 on July 25, 2020 in Aurora, Colorado.
Protesters scatter in panic after a jeep drives through the back of their march on Interstate 225, injuring three with bullets fired in retaliation on July 25, 2020 in Aurora, Colorado.
An apparent media work lies injured after a bullet originally fired at the jeeps' tires ricochets and grazes his head on Interstate 225 in Aurora, Colorado on July 25, 2020.
Unorganized movement towards side streets as many climb over interstate barriers seeking safety following the Jeep's rampage in Aurora, Colorado on July 25, 2020.
A blue Jeep zooms away after injuring two while driving through hundreds of protesters marching in support of police abolishment on Interstate 225 in Aurora, Colorado on July 25, 2020.
Security at the front of a march led by the Denver Party for Socialism and Liberation that shut down Interstate 225 in Aurora, Colorado.
Pauses for speeches on Interstate 225 as the group moves north hoping to raise awareness about their cause on July 25, 2020.
A few marching to end police brutality while participating in wall of mothers for the hundreds of protesters about to march in Aurora, Colorado on July 25, 2020.
DIY street guards hold up traffic as hundreds begin to march onto Interstate 225 down the street from the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on July 25, 2020.
Portraits in the park surrounding the Aurora Police Department as hundreds gather to march in support of police abolishment in Aurora, Colorado on July 25, 2020.
Parents leading the support as hundreds march down Alameda Avenue towards the interstate on July 25, 2020 in Aurora, Colorado.
One protester hangs a sheet of information surrounding Elijah McClain's character in Aurora, Colorado.
Memos from Neil deGrasse Tyson left over on Interstate 225 following the frantic end of the march on July 25, 2020 in Aurora, Colorado.
Mask memos from the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on July 25, 2020 in Aurora, Colorado.
Signs from above the confusion as hundreds abandon the freeway and find themselves near an apartment complex in Aurora, Colorado on July 25, 2020.
Those attempting early social distancing while listening to speakers from the Denver Party for Socialism and Liberation at the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on July 25, 2020.
Weather report during the early stages of the afternoon marching in memory of Elijah McClain over a year after his death while in custody of the Aurora Police Department.
Gearing up for the slow half-mile march towards Interstate 225 in Aurora, Colorado on July 25, 2020.
The customary crew prepping and leading the way as hundreds move to Alameda Avenue following over an hour of speaking at the Aurora Police Department Headquarters on July 25, 2020.
Hundreds of people move to the side of the freeway and begin to climb the barriers into neighborhoods following the Jeep leaving the area on July 25, 2020.
Frightful moods as hundreds re-organize and march back up Potomac Street on July 25, 2020.
Protesters clear the streets as emergency vehicles flash by on Potomac Street following the act of violence on Interstate 225 in Aurora, Colorado.