No mass arrests as unauthorized protest marches block streets

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DENVER - Police showed restraint and called for "patience" with hundreds of protesters who comandeered city streets Sunday afternoon.

The stated goal of the anarchist protesters, led by the group Unconventional Denver, was to disrupt the city and the Democratic National Convention.

Hundreds of marchers shouting slogans including, "Whose streets? Our streets!," paraded around downtown from 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., largely unimpeded by police in riot gear.

Protesters walked into traffic and blocked intersections for as much as 15 to 20 minutes at a time. First at 15th and Colfax, then on Broadway next to Civic Center Park. When police threatened them with arrest if they did not disperse, marchers walked across Lincoln Park to blockade Lincoln Street in front of the state capitol building.

Protesters linked arms in the street and police lines pushed them back onto sidewalks.

Police made scattered arrests but did not use pepper spray or tear gas.

The parade, dubbed the "Snake March" by organizers for its random winding route, was dispersed following an incident near 15th Street and Stout around 4:30 p.m.

Several dozen protesters ran into a multi-story public parking garage, followed by Denver police on motorcycles.

Police in the street below ordered several hundred marchers to disperse, and prepared to use pepper spray. The crowd thinned and complied with the order.

Asked if police would allow protesters such free reign for the remainder of the week, a police spokeswoman said Sunday's events and tactics would be reviewed before Monday's scheduled protests.