x
Breaking News
More () »

Protesters surround Aurora Police precinct calling for justice for Elijah McClain

The march comes the same day the Aurora Police Department released a photo of officers mocking Elijah McClain's death near his memorial.

AURORA, Colo. — Protesters surrounded an Aurora Police Department (APD) precinct for hours Friday evening, and group organizers said they would stay there until the two still-employed officers involved in Elijah McClain's death were fired. 

The third officer was fired Friday for responding to a text message that contained a photo mocking McClain's death with "HaHa." 

Few protesters remained on the streets by 5 a.m. Saturday.

APD said they made two arrests Friday night, both for obstruction of a highway and failure to obey. A third person was detained and released.

Officers used at least five 40mm less-lethal foam rounds when protesters shot mortar-style fireworks toward officers and began to untie the west gate of the precinct, an APD spokesperson said Saturday. He added that it was unclear whether anyone was hit. No chemical agents were used in response to the protests, APD said.

This demonstration came the same day APD released that photo to the public. It showed three officers smiling and doing a carotid hold near McClain's memorial. The officers involved said it was meant to "cheer up" a coworker. 

The protesters marched to APD Precinct One from Evergreen Avenue and Billings Street, the site of McClain's deadly struggle with Aurora officers in August 2019. 

At the beginning of the march, protesters chanted "say his name: Elijah McClain!" and "time is up, APD," chants they echoed outside the police precinct during a demonstration that stayed peaceful. Some armed officers were seen on the roof of the building, but otherwise there was minimal police presence. 

As night fell, protesters danced -- something they said was an active of rebellion because McClain was reportedly dancing before he died. 

(Warning: Video contains profanity)

Sky9 video showed the protesters stopping traffic on East Colfax Avenue and other Aurora streets as they made their way to the police station off Montview Avenue near the new Veterans Affairs hospital. 

"Please drive carefully and watch out for pedestrians," a tweet from the department read. 

The department also referred to the protest as "peaceful" in multiple ensuing tweets. 

This latest protest comes a few days after peaceful demonstrations in Aurora ended with officers using pepper spray to disperse the crowd. Last weekend, violinists gathered for a vigil in honor of McClain, who used to play violin for cats at the shelter.

RELATED: Aurora officers took photo near Elijah McClain memorial to ‘cheer up’ coworker, documents say

RELATED: ‘They should have been fired long ago’: Activists respond to photos of officers mocking Elijah McClain’s death

RELATED: 3 Aurora officers fired over photos depicting choke hold near Elijah McClain memorial

Follow along with Jeremy Jojola and Ryan Haarer who are at the protest:

During last weekend’s demonstrations, protesters also marched onto Interstate 225, temporarily closing the busy highway.

Three people were taken into custody for violating lawful orders after warnings were given, APD said.

McClain, 23, was pronounced dead on Aug. 27, 2019 – a few days after he went into cardiac arrest following a struggle with APD officers, who contacted him after receiving a call of a suspicious person in the area.

RELATED: Aurora mayor calls special city council meeting to address PD response to McClain protest

RELATED: Elijah McClain demonstrators gather in Aurora

RELATED: Body cameras show pivotal moments in Elijah McClain case

McClain’s family said he was walking to get an iced tea for his brother and would usually wear a face mask when it got cold outside.

Officers used a carotid hold when restraining McClain, a practice that has since been banned in the City of Aurora. McClain was also given a sedative by Aurora Fire Rescue to calm him down.

The 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office said it would not file charges against the officers involved in the incident in February.

The case has now gotten renewed attention across the country following large protests in multiple cities decrying police brutality.

Colorado’s attorney general has been asked to conduct a review of the case, and could press charges.

Federal authorities are also weighing a civil rights investigation, and the attorney representing McClain’s family said she could file her own civil rights case.

SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Elijah McClain case

Before You Leave, Check This Out