Mostly peaceful dueling protests over police take place in downtown El Paso
EL PASO, Texas -- A 'Defund Police' protest and a counter-protest in support of the El Paso Police Department took place Wednesday evening at Cleveland Square Park downtown.
In the video player above, you can watch a summary of the protests. In the video player below, you can watch how those protests unfolded over a two-hour period. Meanwhile, further below you'll also find a tweet blog recapping events as they occurred, mostly peacefully, throughout the evening.
The defund police march is now in front of the El Paso County Courthouse, which is protected by police and National Guard. Still peaceful. pic.twitter.com/vhZMM5hSdQ
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
A group calling themselves peacekeepers trying to keep things from escalating along Franklin street in downtown #ElPaso as hundreds of other protestors kept marching @abc7breaking pic.twitter.com/WyuVXdFqEX
— Brianna Chávez KVIA ABC-7 (@bri_chavez) June 11, 2020
Meanwhile, a high school graduation is taking place at Southwest University park as several hundred fellow El Pasoans exercise their First Amendment rights nearby. We call it “Wednesday.” pic.twitter.com/qzecJO1mBG
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
As #BLM supporters kept marching, some stayed at Cleveland Square Park where #ElPaso police supporters are. Several arguing on a street corner @abc7breaking
— Brianna Chávez KVIA ABC-7 (@bri_chavez) June 11, 2020
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/8zbxUFXIxg pic.twitter.com/d3bfYUXWol
The defund police march is coming back by Cleveland Square, where some members of an earlier protest they said was in support of police remain. Entirely peaceful so far, at least from my vantage point. pic.twitter.com/JMv79p5oTA
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
#BLM protestors in #ElPaso circling back to Cleveland Square Park outnumbering the support @EPPOLICE group by dozens. @abc7breaking
— Brianna Chávez KVIA ABC-7 (@bri_chavez) June 11, 2020
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/8zbxUFXIxg pic.twitter.com/yheAm0jjOK
This is the Black lives matter group taking a knee in San Jacinto plaza pic.twitter.com/zz8ACU1o1K
— Saul Saenz KVIA (@KviaSaul) June 11, 2020
It’s 10 ‘til 8 pm here in downtown #ElPaso and the crowd supporting the police is starting to diminish. @abc7breaking pic.twitter.com/NtGqpeSvRY
— Brianna Chávez KVIA ABC-7 (@bri_chavez) June 11, 2020
The group, Black lives matter, left Cleveland square park, walked to paisano, walked to Mesa and is now taking a knee at san Jacinto park.
— Saul Saenz KVIA (@KviaSaul) June 11, 2020
A march in support of black lives takes on a Latina/o flavor. pic.twitter.com/b1AzNBnoUp
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
The defund police march has stopped in San Jacinto Plaza. Organizers are telling people to leave in a buddy system at the conclusion of the rally. pic.twitter.com/0eZGkNzMnX
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
The defund police march has paused at Mesa and Overland in Downtown El Paso. pic.twitter.com/fYbk95Mro2
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
#Oathkeepers group here in downtown #ElPaso. They say they have spoken to @EPPOLICE anout being at Cleveland Square Park with loaded guns. One man tells me they’re not here to intimidate but educate.
— Brianna Chávez KVIA ABC-7 (@bri_chavez) June 11, 2020
MORE: https://t.co/8zbxUFXIxg@abc7breaking pic.twitter.com/cMwbm6ybTo
Defund police rally proceeding peacefully through Downtown El Paso. Police presence has been low-key so far. pic.twitter.com/lvxN6hQjby
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
Grouping supporting @EPPOLICE vowing to keep things peaceful in downtown #ElPaso tonight. @abc7breaking
— Brianna Chávez KVIA ABC-7 (@bri_chavez) June 11, 2020
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/tGsirk1BUa pic.twitter.com/iMotkymeHY
The group protesting police violence is starting a march from Cleveland Square. I’m not sure of the destination. Couple hundred people in this group. Police drone, CBP helicopter overhead. pic.twitter.com/2ZyyePJg2a
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
Several dozens supporting @EPPOLICE gathering at Cleveland Square Park in downtown #ElPaso. @abc7breaking
— Brianna Chávez KVIA ABC-7 (@bri_chavez) June 11, 2020
WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/tGsirk1BUa pic.twitter.com/ZPtvvrow9N
An interdenominational group calling themselves Faith Peace Keepers are at Cleveland Square in El Paso to help keep simultaneous protests peaceful. pic.twitter.com/C4aOYI0a15
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
Two protests planned in Cleveland Square tonight. The first group is rallying to support El Paso police; the second group is calling for an overhaul of police practices. pic.twitter.com/SUcnt2gVsl
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 11, 2020
