On September 19th, 2019, the Aurora Colorado Police Department issued a media advisory with helpful information for those who plan on attending the protest and rally event at the ICE Detention Center in Aurora on September 21, 2019. To ensure everyones safety the following additional regulations will be in effect.
Sticks (see further below), poles, pipes, bats or similar objects will not be permitted.
Sticks being used as supports for signs, posters, banners or flags may only be permitted under all of the following conditions:
-They are attached and remain attached to a sign, poster, banner or flag at all times.
-They are made of wood. No metal, PVC, glass, or other material allowed for sign supports.
-They are 40" or less in length.
-They are blunt on each end. No sharp supports are allowed.
Violation of these rules will be grounds to deny access or removal from the protest area, and refusal to leave will be a violation of Aurora Municipal Code (AMC) 94-71, Trespass.
Open carrying of firearms is prohibited inside the specified protest area pursuant to AMC 94-154, Colorado Revised Statute 29-11.7-104. Individuals will not be allowed into the area openly carrying firearms.
Violation of this rule will be grounds to deny access or removal from the protest area, and refusal to leave will be a violation of AMC 94-71, Trespass.
Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of those attending the event and our officers. The Aurora Police Department respects and upholds the constitutional rights of our community including the right to express and exercise free speech. We will continue to balance these rights with the protection of property, safety and life. We appreciate the community’s partnership in this regard, and would encourage you to watch this important video message from Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz and APD officers by clicking HERE.
Officer Crystal McCoy
Public Information Officer
Aurora Colorado Police Department
720-432-5095
Information previously released on September 19, 2019:
PROTEST AND RALLY EVENT
WHAT: Protest and Rally Event
WHEN: Saturday September 21, 2019
WHERE: ICE Detention Facility
CONTACT: Officer Crystal McCoy, Public Information Officer for the Aurora Colorado Police Department
303.739.6022
AURORA, Colorado - Having a peaceful demonstration is most meaningful when everyone chooses to be respectful, law-abiding, and civil. It’s equally important to realize everyone has a right to lawfully assemble, and Colorado law prohibits disrupting a lawful assembly. The goal with this advisory is to provide helpful information for those planning on attending the protest or support rally at the ICE Detention Center in Aurora on September 21, 2019.
Free Speech is Important: The APD values citizens’ free speech rights. Freedom of Speech includes a variety of expressive words, printed words, and expressive conduct. However, there are limits. For example, “Fighting Words,” or words that are inherently likely to provoke a violent reaction or a breach of the peace through retaliation, are not protected by the First Amendment. Additionally, criminal conduct, such as theft and destruction of another’s property or physical assault of another person, is not protected by the First Amendment. We ask for the public’s help in ensuring that the event remains a place for free speech and lawful activity.
To Get Information Day-Of: To receive incident response information, attendees can opt-in to text messages from APD during this event by sending a text to the number 474747 with APDINFO in the body of the text. Additionally, APD will be using Twitter for similar messaging to the public and media. To receive those messages please follow us on Twitter at the @AuroraPD profile.
If You See Something, Say Something: We ask members of the public, to constantly be aware of their surroundings, and immediately report any safety concerns. You can do so by calling dispatch at 303-627-3100, or by flagging down a nearby officer, or replying to the opt-in text messaging service as mentioned above.
At any time during the event, if there is a life-threatening emergency, please call 911 or flag down a nearby officer. Otherwise, the non-emergency number is 303-627-3100 for police and fire assistance. Some police reports can be filed online at anytime by clicking HERE.
No Parking: There will not be any available parking at the event. We strongly encourage using RTD or ride-share options if needed. Additionally, we will have the following street closures on Saturday, September 21, 2019 beginning at 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. as follows:
· East 30th Avenue from Nome Street to Peoria Street
· Nome Street from East 30th Avenue to East 33rd Avenue
· Oakland Street from East 30th Avenue to East 33rd Avenue
Attendee Arrival: Anti-ICE Groups are directed to go to East 30th Avenue and Oakland Street to arrive at the designated protest area on the South side of the facility. Please see attached map.
Pro-ICE groups are asked to go to East 33rd Avenue and Oakland Street to arrive at the designated protest area on the North side of the facility. Please see attached map.
Industrial Area / No Facilities: This is an industrial area with no public bathrooms, very little shade, no convenience stores, and no seating provided. Large crowds are expected and movement around the area may be restricted. Attendees should plan accordingly for simple first aid needs, weather, hydration, and food.
Excessive Noise: When using bullhorns and noisemakers, attendees are notified to be respectful of other attendees and refrain from creating a significant obstruction or interference to a lawful assembly. Further, these devices can be intentionally used to cause actual physical pain, or bodily injury, to attendees, which is unlawful. Due to this, officers may contact you to request you turn the volume of your bullhorn or noisemaker down to a more acceptable level.
Safety and Officer Conduct: Our officers are there to ensure the safety of those attending the event. If an officer contacts you, please remain cordial and comply with any orders the officer may have given you. If you have concerns questions or compliments you can relay that information to www.AuroraPolice.com.
Drones: The publics use of Drones are not permitted at this event.
Accident Alert and Priority Dispatch: During this event the APD will be on accident alert and priority dispatch protocol from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. due to limited police resources. If you are involved in an accident during this time that involve any of the following:
· Injuries
· Hit-and-Run
· DUI involving alcohol and/or drugs
· One or more vehicles are not drivable
· One driver does not have proof of insurance
Then please call 303-627-3100 for an officer to respond. All other traffic accidents should be filed online by clicking HERE or you can respond to the APD headquarters lobby located at 15001 East Alameda Parkway with all involved drivers the following day to complete the accident report.
Priority dispatch means APD will only respond to in-progress calls where life is in danger, and all other calls for service will potentially have significantly extended wait times for a response. We understand this is frustrating, but we appreciate your patience.
Dispersal Orders: As a last resort, APD may have to give dispersal orders to the crowd and will do so in both English and Spanish. This will only occur when there is a clear and present danger of immediate threat to safety.
Please follow all orders immediately and peacefully while evacuating the area. If a dispersal order is given, all attendees will be asked to go North on Oakland Street to East 33rd Avenue, or South on Oakland Street to East 30th Avenue continuing East to Peoria Street. You can view the evacuation map by clicking HERE.
Media: All press briefings will be announced on Twitter and conducted at East 33rd Avenue and Oakland Street. The media can use the below phone number and email address for incident response inquiries, and interview requests:
720-432-5095
[email protected]
All records requests related to this event should be sent to APD records not the Media Relations Unit. Please click HERE, complete the form, and submit the request as instructed on the form. Again, do not submit requests to the Media Relations Unit as they are not processed by that office.
Our number one priority is ensuring the safety of those attending the event and our officers. The Aurora Police Department respects and upholds the constitutional rights of our community including the right to express and exercise free speech. We will continue to balance these rights with the protection of property, safety and life. We appreciate the community’s partnership in this regard, and would encourage you to watch this important video message from Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz and APD officers by clicking HERE.
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