{"id":14084,"date":"2026-01-08T16:49:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-08T23:49:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/durango-police-department-issues-guidelines-on-how-to-safely-protest\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:42:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:42:46","slug":"durango-police-department-issues-guidelines-on-how-to-safely-protest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/durango-police-department-issues-guidelines-on-how-to-safely-protest\/","title":{"rendered":"Durango Police Department issues guidelines on how to safely protest"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Protesters
Protesters link arms as they face off with agents trying to remove them outside an ICE facility Tuesday in Durango. (Josh Stephenson\/Special to the Herald)<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Protests in Durango and across the nation \u2013 particularly against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement\u2019s mass deportation operations \u2013 have been increasingly frequent in recent months. And, after a Minneapolis woman was shot in her car by an ICE officer on Wednesday, an emergency \u201cStop ICE Terror\u201d protest has been planned in Durango for Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n

The announcement of this latest protest comes just days after the Durango Police Department posted guidelines on how to protest safely<\/a> on its Facebook page. Some of the recommendations were to remain peaceful \u2013 no threats, fighting or vandalism; stick to city sidewalks and public parks; and do not obstruct traffic.<\/p>\n

City spokesman Tom Sluis said in a series of text messages to the The Durango Herald<\/em> that the protest guidelines are meant to help keep the community safe and apply to all demonstrations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe city is very supportive of the public right to assemble and peaceably protest, and providing these guidelines helps the public do just that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

During a public meeting with law enforcement after an October protest over the arrest and deportation of a Durango man and his two children outside a Bodo Park ICE facility, community members asked officials how acts of civil disobedience should be conducted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter the first major protest, many community members said they wished they had more information beforehand about applicable laws, the potential use of chemical agents, and what actions could place them at legal risk,\u201d Durango Police Chief Brice Current said in an emailed statement.<\/p>\n

He said the guidelines are to make sure the community is safe and to peacefully voice dissent. By laying out those recommendations, the department aims to remain \u201ctransparent, consistent and grounded in the law,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe simplest path forward is for all of us \u2013 protesters, law enforcement and government officials \u2013 to follow the law and work through established processes to address disagreement and change,\u201d he said. \u201cThat system can feel slow and frustrating, but it is intentionally designed to limit the concentration of power and prevent extreme swings in any one direction. While imperfect, it exists to protect the rights of everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sluis added that the guidelines are meant to apply to everyone, regardless of who is protesting or what is being protested.<\/p>\n

\u201cProviding these guidelines is not about taking sides in a political issue,\u201d he said. \u201cTelling people how to peaceably protest is the same as explaining the rules of how to drive a vehicle down the road. We have various local, state and federal laws in place that affect all residents every day for everything they do. The goal is to be as transparent as possible regarding these rules so we can all coexist as a community.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the Facebook post, having a clear plan for a protest, going with a group of people, following lawful directions and distancing oneself from someone trying to escalate violence can keep protesters safe. Protesters were urged to bring water, medications, weather-appropriate clothing and a charged phone to any demonstrations.<\/p>\n

Public spaces, such as sidewalks or public parks, can be used by anyone. But any protest on private property requires the owner\u2019s permission for people to gather ahead of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cBusinesses, driveways, sidewalks and emergency access routes need to stay open,\u201d the post said.<\/p>\n

The post said protesters should avoid throwing objects, tampering with cars or climbing on anything. Additionally, the post said, protesters should not bring \u201citems that could be used to hurt someone,\u201d though it did not provide specifics.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur shared goal is simple: a safe community where people can speak freely, be heard and go home safely,\u201d the post said.<\/p>\n

If there is an emergency or threat to public safety, the department recommended calling 911. For anything other than an emergency, the post said to call DPD\u2019s non-emergency dispatch at 385-2900.<\/p>\n

sedmondson@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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