They rallied with brooms and garbage bags.
"We just wanted to come out and be a help, you know? This is our home," said Michelle Fultz.
Fultz was among dozens of Aurora residents who just started showing up downtown to help cleanup from Sunday night’s violence. Norma Ojeda was among those pitching in. She said, "I thank God for that, because this is what Aurora is about. It’s our community. We all live here. We grew up here."
Aurora residents just started showing up on their own downtown today to clean-up after vandalism and looting that took place after a peaceful protest yesterday. They were all ages and colors. One man said, “This is what #AuroraStrong is all about.” @WBBMNewsradio #GeorgeFloyd pic.twitter.com/yFVXMpPKcf
— Bernie Tafoya (@BernieTafoya)
June 1, 2020 Aurora police said three police cars were destroyed by fire. Buildings were vandalized, a couple of them set on fire, and police were shot at and had rocks and bottles thrown at them. One officer was hurt by a thrown object.
Vandalism and looting in Aurora last night following a peaceful protest. Police say officers were shot at and 3 police vehicles torched. (Picture of the destroyed police car is from @AuroraPoliceIL.) Hear my stories on @WBBMNewsradio and the @Radiodotcom app. pic.twitter.com/HME8Av7vzn
— Bernie Tafoya (@BernieTafoya)
June 1, 2020 Tripp Hellmuth was in flip-flops and had a borrowed broom in her hand. She had been heading for a cup of coffee when she saw others gathering to clean up the community, so she joined in.
He wasn’t looking for publicity. He just wanted to clean-up “the city I love”. Jorge Niño picked up trash in downtown Aurora before he went to work today. Hear more in my reports on @WBBMNewsradio on the protest and violence and looting that followed. @CityofAuroraIL pic.twitter.com/3kf4U7GE1p
— Bernie Tafoya (@BernieTafoya)
June 1, 2020 As for reaction to the vandalism and looting that occurred Sunday night, downtown resident Steve Adams surveyed the damage as he walked his dog.
"It’s pitiful that people do this for no reason....Protest, fine. Rioting and damaging property, doesn’t make sense."
