Here in Greenwood Village for a protest concert outside City Hall featuring The Lumineers and Nathaniel Rateliff. They’re protesting against a recent resolution by GV City Council that says the city will cover police officers financially for civil liability issues in all cases. 
The resolution came in response to SB-217, a sweeping police reform & accountability reform bill for the state of Colorado. For lawsuits, officers could be held financially accountable for up to $25,000 in incidents where they acted in bad faith or knowingly did something illegal
The resolution from GV City Council said the city would always have the back financially of its police officers. In other words, the city would never find that an officer had acted in bad faith.
After being criticized by high-ranking elected officials from across the political spectrum in Colorado, Greenwood Village doubled down on the resolution. They don’t appear do be budging anytime soon. This concert is in response to the resolution.
Three Cherry Creek High School students who are working to get GV City Council to reverse its resolution. Ramsey Headrick, the 18 year old rising senior in the middle, organized the first protest outside of GV City Hall in the days after the resolution was passed.
.@believeEan talking about being a water protector. “Being a water protector means standing up to the police too,” Tafoya says, referencing Standing Rock.
Absolutely gorgeous place for a concert.
Spotted a bunch of elected officials: Leslie Herod, Tay Anderson, Meg Froelich, Jeff Bridges are the ones I’ve seen.
There are hundreds of people here. It’s a big space.
Apryl Alexander of BLM 5280: “We’re not gonna let this decision by Greenwood Village bring us down. We’re not done yet...Please continue to show up until this epidemic of police brutality is over.”
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats kicking things off musically.
They’re accompanied by the Brothers of Brass and some others whose names I don’t know.
This is my second time hearing Nathaniel Rateliff & the Nightsweats. The first time was in Civic Center Park when Hickenlooper was kicking off his presidential campaign. Whenever the heck that was. I don’t actually remember. Incapable of comprehending time anymore.
Nathaniel Rateliff: “Go read The New Colossus and remind yourselves of why we’re all here.”
Leslie Herod: “Everyone deserves to be protected in our city and no one is above the law.”
Jeff Bridges, Democrat in the state Senate who lives in Greenwood Village, says, “I will not go back to [Fiddler’s Green] until our city makes it clear that our officers are exemplary, not exempt.”
Meg Froelich, Dem state rep who once served on Greenwood Village City Council: “Everyone deserves to listen to music and feel safe whether they’re walking home from the store in Aurora or attending a concert at Fiddler’s Green.”
Wesley Schultz of the Lumineers has vowed to boycott playing at Fiddler’s Green, which is located in Greenwood Village, until the City Council reverses its resolution.
Schultz, a New Jersey native who has called Denver home for the last ten years, naturally starts with a Bruce Springsteen son.
Schultz: “I think it’s a pretty simple request to be held accountable and to go along with what the rest of the state is doing. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.”
Tay Anderson, Denver school board director and activist, getting the crowd to make some noise so that City Council, who are meeting right nearby in City Hall, can hear.
If they hadn’t heard before, they’ve definitely heard now.
Only complaint about tonight: there is an immense amount of goose poop all around the grass and I’ve had to squat rather than sit criss cross this whole time. My legs are burning. It’s a good burn. So maybe it’s not even a complaint.
Brothers of Brass about to musically lead a march down the streets of Greenwood Village.
Brothers of Brass performing their song “Black Lives Matter.”
March is starting. Brothers of Brass great as always.
Marching past Greenwood Village City Hall toward the streets.
Just off South Quebec Street and East Caley Avenue
I thought the strong arm was just the stuff of legend
This is a lot of noise for 930 on a Monday night in Greenwood Village
The Brothers of Brass rendition of “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child is great, but it’s even better with hundreds of protestors dancing along.
Rep. Leslie Herod capping off the night before folks head out: “We’re here to say, ‘If you don’t rescind your resolution, we’re going to come back.’”
