No arrests at DIA protest of Trump’s refugee and immigrant travel ban

Ashley Dean

Jan. 28, 2017, 8:16 p.m.

Commander Tony Lopez tells protesters that first amendment expressions without a permit are not allowed at DIA, Jan. 28, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

amal kassir; immigration; refugees; politics; protest; copolitics; rally; dia; denver; colorado; kevinjbeaty; — Commander Tony Lopez tells protesters that first amendment expressions without a permit are not allowed at DIA, Jan. 28, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

As the hundreds of people protesting President Donald Trump’s refugee and immigrant travel ban at Denver International Airport began to disperse around 8 p.m. Saturday, Denver Police Chief Robert White said no one had been arrested.

The demonstration began inside the Jeppesen Terminal, where protesters said they were waiting for organizers’ Muslim friend, Omar, to arrive. They also sang, chanted and prayed, holding flowers and signs.

But a permit is required to protest inside the airport and officials repeatedly told the crowd of about 200 that they could be arrested if they did not leave.

They were eventually allowed to continue the demonstration in the open-air plaza on the south side of the terminal.

“It’s been nonstop,” White said of all the recent protests. “I would say it’s all in eight, [but] it’s all in about 16. Haven’t been eight-hour days.”

Denver Police Chief White (left) and Commander Lopez at protests at DIA, Jan. 28, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

amal kassir; immigration; refugees; politics; protest; copolitics; rally; dia; denver; colorado; kevinjbeaty; — Denver Police Chief White and Commander Lopez at protests at DIA, Jan. 28, 2017. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

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Kevin J. Beaty contributed to this report.

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