The Denver Police Department has confirmed the arrest of a man linked to a viral video that captured an incident at the recent ‘No Kings’ protest held downtown.
The video, shared by Aaron Parnas on Threads and filmed by Drew Kartos, depicts a man shouting homophobic slurs at protestors near Union Station.
In a twist, the video shows the same man pursuing protestors after someone allegedly stole his sunglasses. Amid the chaos, the man fails to keep his footing, slipping and falling face-first onto the ground.
He quickly gets up and continues his pursuit of the protestors, swatting at them as he runs, only to be tripped by a hooded figure, resulting in another fall.
Upon getting up again, the man is seen with a visible laceration on his face, still pushing into the crowd until he is ultimately told to leave the area.
The protest commenced on 17th Street following a larger gathering at the Capitol, aiming to promote inclusivity and acceptance.
Kartos, who documented the events, noted the presence of a group of older men who appeared to be intoxicated, heightening the tension of the situation.
“They seemed inebriated. I had a feeling something was going to happen,” he remarked, observing the provocations directed towards the marchers.
Following the turn of events, protest organizers worked to calm the situation and guide the marchers to continue, while police began making interventions with those involved in the altercations.
Jose Cardenas, 20, was later arrested, charged on suspicion of second-degree assault after allegedly fleeing from officers before being apprehended in the 1400 block of North Lincoln Street.
However, the individual who instigated the confrontation by yelling obscenities was not arrested.
According to a police spokesperson, “Screaming obscenities would fall under free speech. The victim was not arrested.”
The incident has drawn attention to the issue of hate speech, with observers calling for reflection on the potential consequences of such behavior.
“Two wrongs don’t make a right,” Kartos added. “At the same time, there’s definitely no place for hate speech or homophobic slurs. It’s very unwise to walk past a demonstration and try to aggravate the participants.”
The ‘No Kings’ protest was one of over 50 demonstrations that took place throughout Colorado, contributing to a nationwide movement aimed at addressing vital social issues.
Initial estimates for the first rally indicated attendance figures of approximately 10,000 to 20,000 participants, with reports suggesting that Saturday’s gathering may have exceeded that number significantly.
Reflecting the heightened tensions and the passion surrounding this cause, authorities reported multiple arrests during the day’s events, with some individuals facing serious charges such as assault on a peace officer and aggravated assault.
These incidents highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing free speech and public safety within the context of passionate civic engagement.
The Denver Gazette’s Noah Festenstein and Michael Braithwaite contributed to this report.
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