Denver police officers were told to withdraw before demonstrators attacked a pro-police rally on July 19, the head of the city’s police union said.
“I found out that a retreat order was given by the incident commander,” said officer Nick Rogers, president of the Denver Police Protective Association.
“And we had one lieutenant step up and said, ‘We’re not leaving.’ And this lieutenant said, ‘These people are going to get killed if we don’t stay.’ So he kept his group there. And that’s the only reason that this didn’t get worse, because somebody broke rank and decided to not retreat. And they stayed so that they could provide some assistance.”
Rogers was speaking on KNUS radio.
The Denver Police Department told The Epoch Times that officials are reviewing what happened at the rally. For now, the department is declining to comment on the specifics of what transpired.
Michelle Malkin, a conservative activist, and Colorado House Minority Leader Patrick Neville, a Republican, were among those scheduled to speak at the rally, which was held at Civic Center Park in Denver.
Video footage showed a group of Black Lives Matter demonstrators and people dressed in gear similar to that worn by the far-left Antifa group approaching the stage shortly after the rally started. Some were wielding weapons such as a collapsible baton and a metal rod.
They then began assaulting people at the rally, according to video footage from the scene and accounts from those involved.
“Nothing was done as women who were wearing Trump gear and holding their flags were throttled and strangled by other brutish women, women all dressed in black and paramilitary gear,” Malkin said.
Rogers, who wasn’t at the event, said he came forward because after he learned what happened, he was embarrassed and saddened.
“Michelle, anybody that’s listening who was there, that’s not the rank and file, that’s not the cops. That decision was made by someone else, it’s wrong, and I’m sorry,” he said.
Neville said on Fox News’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight” that the pro-police group was “essentially surrounded by Antifa” and outnumbered 4 to 1.
“We were completely surrounded and then, before I know it … one of my friends was beaten down by four or five Antifa members.”
“And then eventually we had to evacuate,” he added. “All this occurred right on the stage of the facility where we were supposed to be having our rally. It wasn’t like it was a minor scuffle on the outskirts of the rally. It was right there on the stage,” Neville said.
It wasn’t clear whether Denver Mayor Michael Hancock or Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, both Democrats, were involved in the stand-down order, according to Neville.
The offices of Hancock and Polis didn’t immediately respond to requests by The Epoch Times for comment; neither have addressed what happened. Hancock this week joined other mayors in urging President Donald Trump not to send federal law enforcement personnel to their cities.
Attorney Randy Corporon, who helped organize the rally, said Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen requested beforehand that the event be rescheduled or moved to a different location, citing a planned Black Lives Matter counterprotest.
“He was agitated that we’re going to get his officers hurt,” Corporon told the Denver Post. “My response to him was that he should allow his officers to do their job and if people are down there breaking the law, to stop them. Because they’ll have nothing to fear from us.”
Corporon said Pazen should resign because his officers stood by as the violence occurred.
Lillian House, part of Denver’s Party for Socialism and Liberation, which helped organize the counter-demonstration, told the Post that most of the demonstrators on her side weren’t violent.
“The majority of the crowd was simply making noise and making verbal resistance to their pro-police celebration,” she said. “To act like the physical confrontations that happened were initiated primarily by us is just absurd.”
Malkin said that people should be politically and civically engaged, but added, “If you’re going to do it, you can’t rely on the police.”
The United States ?? is at war with the democrat party. The slave party, now the abortion party, is once again rioting and burning and trying to secede.
Be careful, or Denver will become another Seattle/Portland mentality for the bad guys.
One mayor changed her tune when her home was under assault. Seems that’s the answer in these cities.
Where were the bikers?
Disturbing and sad to see what this Country has and is becoming…..these violent terrorists need to be dealt with by deadly force
Democrats were the Slave Owners and ran the Slave Trade. They are trying to tear-down their own monuments to cover-up their SINS!!!!!
By the Marx/Engels Playbook, the United States is in the middle of a Communist Revolution!! WAKE-UP!! Stand-up for America!! Remove Every Democrat!!!!!
Become a Counter-Revolutionary! Demand Authority ENFORCE OUR LAWS!! Stand-up for America!! Remove Every Democrat!!!!!
The same pretty much in Minneapolis, Mn when President Trump was here last year as the mayor wanted to overcharge them for security and he told the police to pretty much to stand down. This is the same Mayor Frey who told the police to cut and run with their tail between theri legs from the 3rd Precinct so that they could let the rioters burn it down.
The governor was also wanting FEMA to come up with a few million so they could rebuild because they let them burn down 500 million in damage, Minnesota will never recover and is still a fly over state.
Remove the immunity from elected “leaders “ and much of the garbage will stop. Get in their pocket financially in civil court . In other words sue the B******D. Then they will think twice before acting,or not acting. I know, do that and no one will run for political office. I’m hear to tell you that is exactly what THEY want to do to the police, remove their immunity.
We seriously need to vote these heads of office out. From TERM LIMITS for congressmen/senators to governors/lieutenant governors, mayors, city council members. Most have overdosed on their own political and grandiose cool aid. They cannot be trusted. We vote!! Send them packing!! They have lost their way
It’s getting to the point if you go to some venues, you need to bring your own defense with you. A can of pepper spray – or bear spray would be better.
They need to start making mace out of Ghost Peppers for more punch.
I cannot, for the life of me, understand why, if violence is all they know…. give them violence! Use your firearm to defend yourself. Why can’t the police use force if they are being beaten? WHY? Line ’em up and fire!! I’m not a violent person but enough is enough!
The BLM is not really BLM / they are all Antifa “well trained” rioters who are trying to say they are peacefully protesting.
Just like when the Portland moms in yellow all locked arms saying they were peaceful, then immediately changed into their black riot gear and attacked. Same as Chicago where the overhead cameras showed people supporting the rioters unloading boxes of projectiles to throw at police, amongst all the other things they had.
These are only a few hundred Soros paid radicals in each case who are professionally trained. Thankfully, the rest of the nation is resting for another day of work – as the stock markets show. The police do not need to stand and take the abuse – they should be fighting for their lives. A few injured rioters might slow them down
I find it very disgustin that this day and age, people cannot hold a civil rally in honor of anything without it being shouted down and obstructors violently attacking the peaceful rally attendees. Denver better start acting like they want their citizens protected from such hatred and harassment. That is just an example of why the feds would want to step in when the cities or states themselves cannot control this absurdity.
ANTIFA appears to be using the peaceful protesters as a shield in Portland & now Denver. Reminds me of Trojan Horse ?????? Beware of peaceful protesters bearing gifts.
Seems to me that the so-called peaceful protestors are being used as pawns by the black-uniform groups. ANTIFA or top BLM people are trained to riot & so they let the peaceful set up & start protest & this group comes in and attacks. Peaceful groups need to be smarter. And I recall, that one female was arrested in Seattle last month for setting fire to 6-police cars. What happened to her I do not know, but how can any protester think they can set fire to other property.
The way it is going, I believe we are headed for another civil war.
I hope the American people understand that if the dims take over in November. This will be acceptable (as it is now) until they beat us into submission and they are the RULING CLASS. Please be careful what you wish for!
Its time to start arresting and prosecuting those mandating the stand down orders.
If for some reason that can’t be done, cut off all their federal funding.
Just look at history, and it is clear, which kind of people are behind such violence. During the time of rise to power of the German National Socislist Worker’s Party the SA fascist thugs acted in a very similar manner, and the tactics come straight out of their playbook. ANTIFA and BLM are acting precisely in the same, intolerant and despicable, violent manner as the left-leaning “protesters” do nowadays. Indeed they are fascists all but (intentionally) misleading name ! Remember, what happened after a certain A. Hitler got control of government. The rampant anti Semitism and racism as displayed by the Democrat Party here was on the order of the day in the dark times of the Third Reich and similarly in Stalin’s Soviet Union. Socialism manifests itself in various guises but always has the telltale element of intolerance and (state) violence or sponsored lawlessness for easier identification. Only armed resistance can stop such a development, which relies on a quiet and obedient (to the death) majority of sheeple to succeed. Why else do you think, history is no longer taught properly in schools ? During the post war times the Social Democrat Party of Germany was in power, history lessons stopped at the Weimar Republic, which allowed for a convenient cover-up of the fact, that Hitler’s party was in fact an extreme left-wing, Socislist outfit and not at all conservative, as the then narrative taught. I know this for sure, because I was there at that time. Don’t allow history to repeat itsrlf. Isn’t it time now yo face the music and dance ?
I guarantee that if I’m attacked by those idiots, or anyone else, I SHALL defend myself! I’ll use whatever force is necessary, up to and including deadly force if warranted!!!!!!! This means I’ll start at the lowest force level and escalate if, when and as needed.
The attorney who helped organize the rally must be a moron. He was told that the radicals are coming and he didn’t plan accordingly. Stupid is as stupid does. Beware of following creeps like this guy. A classic example of today’s Custer leading his troops to slaughter. We need better Generals!!!
I think about the only difference in these thugs and Hitler’s brownshirts is the color of uniform they’re wearing. Hitler’s political leanings were Marxist, and so is this. Who’s the upcoming Holocaust going to targer? Make no mistake: one is on the way.
It seems to me that the BLM/Antifa thugs are being sent in with bats and pipes to attack those on the political right in the hopes that one or more on the right will defend themselves with a firearm. They (whoever is organizing the leftists) are hoping for an unjustified shooting in all the chaos, but they will settle for a justified shooting (and the more bodies, the better) because from my vantage point, they seem to be looking to create martyrs they can over-amplify for political leverage.
Learn how to protect yourselves,
Hey police! What is wrong with you? So they tell you to back off. You are SWORN to uphold the law, to protect persons and property, to ensure a safe environment. When they tell you not to go “they” are making you break your pledge to protect and serve. Isn’t that order breaking the law? Go arrest those elected officials for inciting a riot? What would you do if this “peaceful counter assembly” was in front of your homes? Use the brain God gave you.
I want to believe this story. With all the fake news out there today, I try to research the source for those I don’t recognize. I see Outside Contributor as the author to many if all articles. For that reason, I take them all with a grain of salt. I would love to cite some of these articles but cannot. Can AMAC be more specific? Credibility matters. Outside Contributor is no better than what the NY Times and the rest of the fake news do when they cite anonymous sources.
Anyone who got so much as a hangnail after the police were withdrawn should sue the order giver.
As a resident of Denver and knowing our local political operatives, I doubt we will ever know the truth, even if we get a Federal Grand Jury. The thugs are in control.
These democrat mayors and governors who are issuing Stand Down orders to police should be held criminally accountable for ever act of violence committed by the Antifa and BLM thugs.
Whoever gave the order to stand down should be fired.
I just had to speak up when I read what happened in CO. I have been so sickened by what I see happening in this country. If my husband goes down during this time I will have to really take action. He lived under communism after he lived through the Hitler era and the end of WW II in Berlin. I worked in the soviet union and the middle east and saw what the marxist concepts, lenin, stalin and putin did to those people just like you and I who only wanted to work to provide for their families and have their children attend schools and be like other children in the Western Word. These were children with various physical disabilities. My husband and I are both in our 80’s now and we have seen and watched things that would make the average person puke. Now I am so angry like the other people whose letters I read here. I will continue to call the useful idiots and say to them what I think about them. And before you think I do not use good grammar I need to tell you the small letters at the beginning of the names in this missive are because of the total scorn I feel for these concepts and criminals. And I can say the same for antifa, and blm. I was at “Berserkeley” in the late 60’s and had to fight my way daily to get to my classes. They are nothing but a bunch of cowards and I hope and pray that President trump sends in more forces to these cities run by the stupid mayors and the governors of the states in which they live. I will be so happy to see us beat the demons this November. Thank you for letting me say what I have to say. Carol
It’s Time! I agree with D. Brown & Paul E. The term Black Life Matters sound good but is terribly misleading. So these terrorists: BLM & Antifa are allowed to bring weapons to injure American citizens and the Democratic leaders of these cities stand up for BLM/Antifa. Sounds like we need to arm ourselves for protection and get rid of the weak Democratic politicians who allow all this. What’s up with in St. Louis, they took a man’s AR away so he can’t defend himself and his property- what’s he suppose to use on these thugs Harsh Language. I would like to find the guy who punched and knocked down the 92 year old woman about three weeks ago. Seems like this thug needs a little “a” kicking. How about if we track down the people who fund these terrorists groups and their leaders-I bet you’ll find the limp Democratic politicians are also getting some sort of kick back as well-sure seems that way. As a vet, It just cuts me deep to see these terrorists burn our American flag and get away with all this violence.
Geez, I can’t believe how niave (trying to be nice, can’t spell that good and don’t want to say how stupid the people in charge are). I ended up kinda yelling at our Mayor Keller here in Albuquerque. He said he is gonna refuse government help. Reminded him he wanted 100 more cops on the street, that less than 50% of the homicides are solved. That the feds can only arrest on federal charges.I like the guy, he seems smart and try’s to do a good job, but I also told him, I’m one of those silent majority’s that have one vote, also I’m retired military. We didn’t tolerate this BS in the military and I was the Doc. Kinda reminded him there’s a lot of retirees live here.
LISTEN EVERYBODY, US SILENT PEOPLE ONLY HAVE ONE VOTE MAKE IT COUNT WHERE IT HURTS, VOTE ‘EM OUT OF OFFICE! Let’s find someone else to do the job and protect us, as it is, besides wearing a mask, I also pack now. The bad guys have guns and don’t care, I just want to have a level field to defend myself. I don’t want to die because some politician wants to be cozy with only 5-10% of the loudest voices. There’s a reason why we have a “war zone” in Albuquerque, sad thing is I live in it. I can’t wait to vote if Mayor Keller refuses free help and money, that means his 100 more police was just BS. I never refused free help and I ain’t no Mayor.
Sorry for talking so long, just Mayor Keller pissed me off by refusing free help, even when the facts are right before his eyes. Sad, the dude seemed smart and cool, guess I don’t scream loud enough.
Stop spending money in All Democratic run cities!! Let the people rot in there own filth.
What many do not understand is that Antifa, BLM and other militant Marxist, anarchist groups have no intention of listening to views that differ from their own. It is their way – or the highway. Don’t confuse them with the facts – their minds are made up. They will intimidate or, if that doesn’t work, beat all who oppose or dare to disagree with them into submission. This is the bitter fruit of the propagandistic seeds planted as a result of the increasing proliferation of Marxist college and university professors that began infiltrating our higher “education” system, beginning in the early 20th century. Lone voices have been warning about this for many decades, but, until now, few listened. For decades students have been indoctrinated and not trained to think logically, historically or factually – nor have they been taught logic, history or facts! These agitators are driven by emotions only and their methodology is quite basic: brute force and destruction. What they accuse everyone else of – racism and intolerance – is astonishingly and egregiously true of themselves. But do not try to reason with them about this…they will only shout you down, bully you – or worse….
So very PROUD of Denver’s Police Dept. for standing their ground. There are thousands and thousands of U.S. that Back our BLUE. God bless them! Another reason I am so PROUD of our Law Enforcement. May God keep all of you safe, wrapped with his golden wings. Love our BLUE!
Well, if this doesn’t say something about people trying to destroy the USA, then I don’t know what else to say. The Police are very important to maintaining law and order. These rallies are a place for some ti commit a crime and see ifnthey can get away with it.
No excuse for conservatives to not be able to peacefully assemble and hold a rally. This is a fundamental right. The next time a rally is held, have a group armed with bats off to the side. When the ANTIFA thugs attack the crowd, turn the tables and beat the crap out of them. Let them run to their mommies or Joe Biden’s basement. The only thing these P.O.S. understand is a good ass-whipping.
A bully’s famous defense,: I didn’t do nuffin;! They started it…” Look out, folks! It’s coming, and soon, nobody will be able to stop it…
Antifa and their ilk have declared war. At what point do patriotic Americans do something about it?
IMPEACH THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE
You are right. We have been living in Never-Never Land for too long.
How long before guns start appearing?
Colorado has recently been bought by the Democrat left. Our Multimillionaire Gay Governor paid over 22 million dollars against the Republican’s 1 million dollars to buy the governorship. With both houses under his control, he has signed laws to chase out our oil industry, give our electoral votes to California, restrict our gun rights and has recently given the Democrat trial lawyers the ability to sue individual policemen. He doesn’t allow citizens to sue him or other state and city officials for turning Colorado into a Sanctuary State. They are working hard to increase our taxes. They fight ICE officials and let criminals sneak out of court houses. Many have then committed child molestations, drunken driving offenses and even murder. THIS IS WHAT THE COUNTRY WILL GET IF BIDEN WINS AND GETS CONTROL OF BOTH HOUSES.
Defund Black Lives Matter and antifa…Follow the money trail…..Arrest all these terrorists
And of course. Nobody knows who gave the Order to stand down? Gee, I wonder why. Taking responsibility scares the s— out of the Press and the Chief of Police. Could there be agent of Antifa , who has access to the Police Headquarters, and / or has the authority to give such an order???
THANK GOD someone had some sense and did not obey such stupid orders!!! That Lt. should be rewarded BIG TIME! No telling how many lives he saved. One thing is VERY CLEAR…any democrap who supports antifa and the blm needs to have their heads examined! Do these mayors/govs actually think they are going to be rewarded for being good little stooges when TSH the fan??? These goons will run right over them just like anyone else. They are being USED and are expendable!!!