{"id":2459053,"date":"2020-05-31T18:48:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-01T00:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/"},"modified":"2020-05-31T19:44:26","modified_gmt":"2020-06-01T01:44:26","slug":"taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/photos\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking a stand: Aspen locals peacefully protest, speak out about death of George Floyd"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"swift-gallery p402_hide\" readability=\"6.6375310687655\">\n<ul id=\"imageGallery-326906-420\" class=\"gallery list-unstyled gallery-container\">\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-5-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-5-1024x683.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Protestors make signs before marching through Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.4\">\n<p><strong>Protestors make signs before marching through Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-5-1024x683.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-5.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-5-1024x683.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Protestors make signs before marching through Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-6-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-6-1024x686.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Protesters chant on a street corner during a protest spurred by the murder of George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47727272727273\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.5454545454545\">\n<p><strong>Protesters chant on a street corner during a protest spurred by the murder of George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-6-1024x686.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-6.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-6-1024x686.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Protesters chant on a street corner during a protest spurred by the murder of George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-7-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-7-1024x724.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Jenelle Figgins stands in the street chanting with other protesters in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47428571428571\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.4857142857143\">\n<p><strong>Jenelle Figgins stands in the street chanting with other protesters in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-7-1024x724.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-7.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-7-1024x724.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Jenelle Figgins stands in the street chanting with other protesters in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-8-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-8-1024x681.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Protesters lay on the ground in honor of George Floyd as they chant \u201cI can\u2019t breathe\u201d for nine minutes in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10.541666666667\">\n<p><strong>Protesters lay on the ground in honor of George Floyd as they chant \u201cI can\u2019t breathe\u201d for nine minutes in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-8-1024x681.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-8.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-8-1024x681.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Protesters lay on the ground in honor of George Floyd as they chant \u201cI can\u2019t breathe\u201d for nine minutes in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-9-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-9-1024x685.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Jenelle Figgins holds up signs with instructions on how to help get justice for George Floyd while standing next to Wagner Park on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10.561946902655\">\n<p><strong>Jenelle Figgins holds up signs with instructions on how to help get justice for George Floyd while standing next to Wagner Park on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-9-1024x685.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-9.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-9-1024x685.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Jenelle Figgins holds up signs with instructions on how to help get justice for George Floyd while standing next to Wagner Park on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-10-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-10-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | A protester\u2019s mask reads \u201cI can\u2019t breathe\u201d as she lays on the ground in honor of George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10.526315789474\">\n<p><strong>A protester\u2019s mask reads \u201cI can\u2019t breathe\u201d as she lays on the ground in honor of George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-10-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-10.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-10-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"A protester\u2019s mask reads \u201cI can\u2019t breathe\u201d as she lays on the ground in honor of George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-1024x726.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Erica Joos, left, and Jenelle Figgins comfort each other as they lay on the ground for nine minutes to honor George Floyd during a peaceful protest in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. \u201cNine minutes is a long time,\u201d whispered Figgins. \u201cI can\u2019t breathe,\u201d the protesters continued to chant. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"2.4390243902439\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"15.609756097561\">\n<p><strong>Erica Joos, left, and Jenelle Figgins comfort each other as they lay on the ground for nine minutes to honor George Floyd during a peaceful protest in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. \u201cNine minutes is a long time,\u201d whispered Figgins. \u201cI can\u2019t breathe,\u201d the protesters continued to chant. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-1024x726.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-1024x726.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Erica Joos, left, and Jenelle Figgins comfort each other as they lay on the ground for nine minutes to honor George Floyd during a peaceful protest in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. \u201cNine minutes is a long time,\u201d whispered Figgins. \u201cI can\u2019t breathe,\u201d the protesters continued to chant. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-1-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Jenelle Figgins, center, leads a moment of silent meditation before the protesters marched through Aspen\u2019s streets on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0.95813953488372\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"12.455813953488\">\n<p><strong>Jenelle Figgins, center, leads a moment of silent meditation before the protesters marched through Aspen\u2019s streets on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-1-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-1.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-1-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Jenelle Figgins, center, leads a moment of silent meditation before the protesters marched through Aspen\u2019s streets on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-2-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-2-1024x645.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Jenelle Figgins stands on a bench as protesters continue to march for George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47631578947368\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.5263157894737\">\n<p><strong>Jenelle Figgins stands on a bench as protesters continue to march for George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-2-1024x645.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-2.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-2-1024x645.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Jenelle Figgins stands on a bench as protesters continue to march for George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-3-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-3-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Two protesters hold hands as they march through Aspen\u2019s Streets on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"-0.47256097560976\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"9.4512195121951\">\n<p><strong>Two protesters hold hands as they march through Aspen\u2019s Streets on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-3-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-3.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-3-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Two protesters hold hands as they march through Aspen\u2019s Streets on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li data-thumb=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-4-150x150.jpg\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-4-1024x682.jpg\" data-sub-html=\"Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times | Protesters stand on all four corners of the intersection as they chant the names of African American folks who lost their lives to police brutality around the country on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\" class=\"swift-gallery-slide h-100\" readability=\"0\">\n<div class=\"caption\" readability=\"10.62641509434\">\n<p><strong>Protesters stand on all four corners of the intersection as they chant the names of African American folks who lost their lives to police brutality around the country on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)<\/strong><br \/>Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times<br \/><a class=\"buy-link\" href=\"http:\/\/aspentimes.mycapture.com\/mycapture\/remoteimage.asp?backtext=Return+to+AspenTimes.com&amp;backurl=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/&amp;image=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-4-1024x682.jpg&amp;notes=https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-4.jpg\"> Buy Photo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"row no-gutters h-100\">\n<div class=\"col my-auto\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/05\/protest-atd-060120-1-4-1024x682.jpg\" data-no-lazy=\"1\" alt=\"Protesters stand on all four corners of the intersection as they chant the names of African American folks who lost their lives to police brutality around the country on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"caption-toggle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/#\" class=\"show-captions\">Show Captions<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/#\" class=\"hide-captions\">Hide Captions<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI can\u2019t breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">For 9 minutes Sunday, dozens of Aspen locals repeated these three words over and over while laying face down on the pavement next to Wagner Park, their hands behind their backs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cNine minutes is a long time, y\u2019all,\u201d Jenelle Figgins said to the group as they began to get back to their feet. \u201cBut you can breathe now, right? There are so many people in this position who can\u2019t when they finish.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">One of those people was George Floyd, the 46-year-old black man who died after now former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin pinned Floyd to the ground by holding his knee on Floyd\u2019s neck for nearly 9 minutes on May 25. He <a id=\"N0x1676ea0N0x17b5550:N0x1676ea0N0x1795aa0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/05\/29\/us\/derek-chauvin-george-floyd-worked-together.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">was reportedly confronted, handcuffed and pinned by officers<\/a> for trying to pass a fake $20 bill.<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<div class=\"col\" readability=\"6\">\n<div class=\"row at-donation at-donation-mobile p-0\" readability=\"7\">\n<div class=\"col-xl-4 p-2\">\n<div data-bg=\"url(https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/03\/AT-logo-white.png)\" class=\"p-0 mt-2 mb-2 h-75 text-center rocket-lazyload\">\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.aspentimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2020\/03\/AT-logo-white.png\" class=\"logo m-0 p-0 invisible\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><h3 class=\"d-inline mr-3\">Support Local Journalism<\/h3>\n<p><button class=\"btn d-inline\" type=\"button\" onclick=\"handleDonationButtonClickMidArticle()\">Donate<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">For days, <a id=\"N0x1676ea0N0x17b55b0:N0x1676ea0N0x1795bc0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/05\/29\/us\/floyd-protests-usa.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">peaceful and violent protests have erupted across the country<\/a> in response to Floyd\u2019s death and the systemic, anti-black racism and seemingly more commonplace police violence against people of color it exemplifies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">In Aspen, with the help and support of her close friends, Figgins \u2014 an African-American woman and dancer with the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet company \u2014 began the weekend protesting as well, peacefully setting up signs near Wagner Park and walking through the mall area Saturday. She said about nine people joined her.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">When she returned for a similar demonstration Sunday morning, more than 50 people showed up with masks on and signs up, voicing their outrage at what led to Floyd\u2019s death.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI figured if I don\u2019t do this now it\u2019s not going to happen,\u201d Figgins said Sunday of protesting. She said a friend reached out to see how she was doing and told her they didn\u2019t want to stay silent about Floyd\u2019s death either, which really gave her the push she needed to take action on a community level.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cI wasn\u2019t going to publicize it, I was genuinely just going to sit out here by myself. I was already doing that in my apartment,\u201d she said. \u201cGeorge Floyd didn\u2019t have to die in that way and I think there\u2019s more uproar right now because that was just so blatant. People are just fed up with seeing blatant violence against people of color.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The protests in Aspen and across the country aren\u2019t just to speak out against Floyd\u2019s death; his is one of many over recent years that <a id=\"N0x1676ea0N0x17b5610:N0x1676ea0N0x1795f20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2020\/05\/29\/865261916\/a-decade-of-watching-black-people-die\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">resulted from racism and police violence under otherwise common circumstances.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">For example, in 2014 an unarmed black man named Eric Garner <a id=\"N0x1676ea0N0x17b5670:N0x1676ea0N0x1796040\" href=\"https:\/\/www.npr.org\/2017\/10\/23\/559498678\/i-can-t-breathe-explores-life-and-death-at-the-hands-of-police\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">died in New York after police threw him to the ground and put him in a choke hold<\/a> reportedly for selling cigarettes without tax stamps. His death was filmed with a cell phone, like Floyd\u2019s, and he was heard saying, \u201cI can\u2019t breathe,\u201d too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">There are many other examples like this one, Figgins said, and with the <a id=\"N0x1676ea0N0x17b56d0:N0x1676ea0N0x1796160\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hopkinsmedicine.org\/health\/conditions-and-diseases\/coronavirus\/covid19-racial-disparities\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">reported disproportionate affects the novel coronavirus pandemic has had on communities of color<\/a> versus white communities over the past several months, what happened to Floyd was the tipping point for many Americans, including herself.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt has gotten to a point where we can\u2019t be silent. Silence is unacceptable,\u201d Figgins said. \u201cAspen has way too much influence nationally and globally not to say anything \u2026 and for the residents in this community who are of color, we show up for you guys every day and rarely do we feel you guys show up for us. So it\u2019s time for Aspen to show up.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Since she moved to Aspen six years ago, Figgins said she\u2019s struggled when reported deaths similar to Floyd\u2019s and Garner\u2019s have not elicited any response from the Aspen community.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIn my time here I\u2019ve never seen anything happen and as a resident that hurts to not feel the solidarity of the community that you put so much work into,\u201d said Figgins, a Washington D.C. native. \u201cI have so much energy and anger and I\u2019ve honestly lived a lot of my time here with that feeling and not having an outlet for that energy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">But after Sunday\u2019s peaceful protest turnout, Figgins said she doesn\u2019t feel as alone as she has in recent years and hopes the demonstrations will help create an outlet and opening for all Aspen locals to speak out against future injustices.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThis is really, really encouraging. I think it\u2019s great we have so many people out here right now.\u201d Figgins said Sunday. \u201cBut I can only do so much, people of color in this community can only do so much; it\u2019s everyone else, the majority here that has to be fed up enough to be there for other people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Starting with a few words from Figgins and Aspen Community Church Pastor Jerry Herships, then spending more than an hour on each corner of the Main and Mill streets intersection chanting things like \u201cBlack Lives Matter,\u201d and \u201cNo justice, no peace,\u201d Sunday\u2019s protest aimed to remain peaceful but to speak out against racism and police brutality toward people of color.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Participants like Peter Rispoli, who grew up in Aspen, said he spent most of his Saturday watching the country \u201cunfold in chaos\u201d as a result of Floyd\u2019s death and wanted to express his outrage and disapproval, too.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cA lot of people aren\u2019t necessarily oppressed themselves but are still enraged,\u201d Rispoli said. He found out about Sunday\u2019s demonstration through Instagram. \u201cThis (protest) exceeded my expectations and shows a lot of people care.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">Alma Garrett and Kyle Light expressed similar thoughts, all three saying they feel even though the majority of Aspenites don\u2019t see or experience a lot of oppression in their daily lives that the community has an important role to play in speaking out against it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWhen a lot of people think of privilege one of the first places they think of is Aspen, and it\u2019s true,\u201d Light said. \u201cWe\u2019re able to switch off and ignore things like this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cThat\u2019s why there\u2019s an extra need for people here to go out and show that this isn\u2019t right. \u2026 There\u2019s white privilege here and we know it, which is why we need to show the rest of the world where we stand,\u201d Rispoli added.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">The three locals said they hope the Aspen community can come together and form one voice to speak out against what has happened to Floyd and other Americans of color, and use its international platform as a tool for more good.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cIt\u2019s time for (Aspen) to step up and take a stand,\u201d Garrett said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">After more than two hours of chanting and walking signs with phrases like \u201cAspen isn\u2019t untouched,\u201d and \u201cWe will not be ignored\u201d written on them around the city core, many Sunday participants said they plan to return to Wagner Park next weekend to peacefully protest with Figgins; continuing to take a stand and to advocate for more community action in response to Floyd\u2019s death.<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\">\u201cWe\u2019re not here to destroy, we\u2019re here to create a change,\u201d Figgins said to the group Sunday. \u201cIf we in this community do not sacrifice the things that we have, there will be no change and nobody will be free. If we\u2019re not all free, nobody is free.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"STND-STND BodyText\"><a href=\"mailto:mvincent@aspentimes.com\">mvincent@aspentimes.com<\/a><\/p>\n<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aspentimes.com\/news\/taking-a-stand-aspen-locals-peacefully-protest-speak-out-about-death-of-george-floyd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">via:: The Aspen Times<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Protestors make signs before marching through Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times Buy Photo Protesters chant on a street corner during a protest spurred by the murder of George Floyd in Aspen on Sunday, May 31, 2020. (Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times)Kelsey Brunner\/The Aspen Times Buy Photo Jenelle Figgins [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[49,3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2459053","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-local-news","7":"category-photos"},"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-07-08 08:53:27","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"KSPN The Valley&#039;s Quality Rock","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2459053","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2459053"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2459053\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2459054,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2459053\/revisions\/2459054"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2459053"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2459053"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kspn\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2459053"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}