Photographing the George Floyd Protests
Recording the Ephemeral Moments of History in the Making
History Colorado’s photographers documented the protests for racial justice across the state during the summer of 2020.
When grief and anger spilled into streets throughout the nation and around Colorado one year ago in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by police officer Derek Chauvin, History Colorado’s curatorial and collections team picked up their cameras and headed out to document the historic moment. Photographers Katie Bush, José Ortega, and James Peterson recorded enduring images of the protests in downtown Denver, Aurora, and Pueblo. Their photographs capture a sense of the raw energy and spontaneity of history in the making that is otherwise often lost to the record. They are now part of History Colorado‘s permanent collection, so that no matter where this powerful moment in our shared story leads us, future generations will have a clear picture of how it began.
Editor’s note: We are still learning more about all that is depicted on these photographs. If you have information about them that you’d like to share, please contact us at hc_curator@state.co.us.
“Say their names!” shouts the massive crowd of protesters rallying on the steps of the Capitol during the sixth day of protests. Photo by James S. Peterson.
An expression of anger and accountability as well as grief and sorrow at a rally on the steps of the capitol building on June 2, 2020. Photo by James S. Peterson.
Rallies continue at the Capitol and Civic Center Park as protests move into the evening of June 2, 2020. Photo by James S. Peterson.
Hours after the release of a picture showing officers mocking the chokehold used on Elijah McClain, protesters march to Aurora Police’s District 1 building on July 3, 2020, where they will demand those officers be fired. Photo by James S. Peterson.
A protester raises his fist after giving a speech in front of the Pueblo Municipal Justice Center in Pueblo. Photo by José Ortega.
Protesters marching from Sister City Plaza to the Pueblo Municipal Justice Center in Pueblo, Colorado, on May 29, 2020. State Senate President Leroy Garcia (SD3-Pueblo) speaks on a phone and raises a fist during the march. Photo by José Ortega.
A protester raises his hands while protesters chant, “Hands up, don’t shoot!” in Pueblo on May 29, 2020. Photo by José Ortega.
A participant at the BLM/Pride Liberation March continues to stand at the front of the crown during the final event speeches. The march took place on June 14, 2020 at the State Capitol building in Denver, CO. The sign the participant is holding reads “JEWS FOR RACIAL JUSTICE.” Photo by Katie Bush.
Volunteers helping with the Black Lives Matter street painting on Broadway between the State Capitol building and Civic Center Park on June 12, 2020. The street painting was designed and coordinated by local Denver artist Adri Norris. The painting was facilitated by volunteers who offered their time to complete the street painting.
This street art painting was developed in conjunction with recent protests against police brutality that Black and African Americans have experienced for many years. This project was sponsored by the City of Denver, which issued the following statement: “This partnership between the city and the artists is being undertaken in the spirit of collaboration and alliance, creating a platform for voices of color, and building community voices against racial injustice.” Photo by Katie Bush.
Local Denver artist Stephen Taylor, a.k.a. @Stephen_the_painter, paints his mural during the first annual Black Love Mural Festival in Denver, CO. Taylor’s painting consisted of themes of democracy and voting, a topic that weighed heavily on the nation going into the presidential election. Coordinated by Rob the Art Museum and IRL Art, the festival began in June 2020 and ran throughout the rest of the summer. It will return in the summer of 2021. Photo by Katie Bush.
Follow Stephen on Instagram @Stephen_the_painter
Artist Holly-Kai Hurd, a.k.a. @we_must_grow, working on her mural during the first annual Black Love Mural Festival in Denver, CO. The festival was established to provide a space for Black artists to express themselves and raise their voices in response to racial inequality and police brutality. Hurd’s mural references these topics with “2 MANY 2 NAME” written in large letters. Coordinated by Rob the Art Museum and IRL Art, the festival began in June 2020 and ran throughout the rest of the summer. It will return in the summer of 2021. Photo by Katie Bush.
Follow Holly on Instagram @we_must_grow
From the protest marchers to the Aurora police, the message was the same whether on cardboard or a skateboard. Photo by James S. Peterson.
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