Denver Police Arrest 17 in 'No Kings' Protest Clash Near I-25

Thousands participated in Denver's 'No Kings' protest on Saturday, part of a nationwide movement against actions by the Trump administration, especially its immigration enforcement policies. While the majority of the day's events were peaceful, confrontations erupted in the evening as some protesters attempted to access Interstate 25 and clashed with police at multiple downtown locations. Officers declared unlawful assemblies after protesters threw rocks and bottles, and police responded with pepper balls and smoke, but not tear gas, to disperse crowds. In total, 17 people were arrested for charges including resisting arrest, obstructing streets, and throwing projectiles. A small fire was also set by a protester late in the evening but burned out without major incident. Both police and organizers emphasized that most demonstrations were peaceful despite these confrontations.