Students Organize Police Accountability Rally In Greenwood Village
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (CBS4) - Students from the Cherry Creek School District led a police accountability rally outside of Greenwood Village city offices on Saturday, then marched down several nearby roads. They demanded the city rescind a resolution which protects its police officers from civil liability.
"We demand that Greenwood Village rescind the resolution and we demand that Greenwood Village hold their officers accountable just like every other city does in Colorado," said Ramsey Headrick, one of several protest organizers from Cherry Creek High School.
Student-led protest happening now in Greenwood Village. The protesters are urging city council to rescind the recent resolution that protects police officers from civil liability @CBSDenver pic.twitter.com/uvawBSG4zg
— Conor McCue (@ConorMcCueTV) August 1, 2020
The resolution, which shields Greenwood Village police officers from personal financial liability under Colorado's new police reform law, was the focus of another protest last month which was spearheaded by big-name musicians and artists from Colorado. In that protest, the artists, while also demanding the resolution be repealed, called on Coloradans and musicians to boycott Fiddler's Green.
Hours before the rally on Saturday, Greenwood Village announced the city hall parking lot would be closed for safety. A city truck and gates blocked it off as protesters gathered.
A protest is planned for today, Saturday, August 1 at 2 p.m. at Greenwood Village City Hall. For the safety of all attendees, the main parking lot at City Hall (south side) wil be closed to vehicles. Access will be available for all pedestrians.
— Greenwood Village (@greenwoodgov) August 1, 2020
The rally included speeches from student organizers, a leader from the Party for Socialism and Liberation-Denver, and Tay Anderson, At-Large Director on the Denver School Board. Later, the crowd of protesters left city hall and marched down Orchard Rd. and Quebec St., halting oncoming traffic several times.
"We're just kind of fighting to get this resolution rescinded and to get Greenwood Village to understand that this resolution is really regressive," said Viviana Montoya, another organizer. "Greenwood Village has said Black lives matter, but passing a resolution like this really shows they don't care about it."
Last month, the student group, Cherry Creek Students for Justice, launched a petition to call on Greenwood Village officials to rescind the resolution and abide by the new state law, SB217.
They call for the public to reach out to the city clerk's office ahead of the city's next council meeting on Aug. 3.
Greenwood Village officials tell CBS4 "based on our workforce training and culture, we do not believe that the added potential punishment will affect their actions one way or another in those few seconds of crisis."