8 people arrested outside Trump rally in Colorado for ‘obstructed traffic’

Eight people were arrested for protesting outside of President Trump’s Colorado rally Thursday.

The Colorado Springs Police Department said in a statement to KKTV that during the rally, a “large group of people exercised their First Amendment Constitutional Right to peacefully protest. There was a designated free speech zone where people could express their views.” 

However, several people “chose instead to take over the roadway and obstruct traffic at the entrance and exit to the arena,” according to the department’s statement. 

“The crowd disregarded the orders and a number of people were taken into custody. A total of eight people were arrested and transported to the El Paso County Criminal Justice Center where they were cited and released,” the statement said. Eight of the protesters were arrested on charges of failure to desist or disperse. 

Daniela Leon, a reporter for Fox21 News, shared a photo of protesters blocking an intersection at the site of the entrance and exit, in addition to footage of police arresting protesters outside  the rally. 

Things are getting heated. Some protesters blocking traffic. @cspd officers are warning them to stop blocking the intersection @FOX21News pic.twitter.com/u62FW1W560

— Daniela Leon (@danielaleontv) February 20, 2020

#Breaking police arrested several protesters.@FOX21News pic.twitter.com/GPkfU5Ohnj

— Daniela Leon (@danielaleontv) February 20, 2020

Trump rallied with supporters Thursday and tried to boost Republican Sen. Cory Gardner, a vulnerable GOP candidate in a tight Senate race in the state. The Cook Political Report rates the race a “toss-up,” and Sabato’s Crystal Ball on Thursday shifted it to “leans Democratic.”