Hundreds of protesters — led by a front line of young, racially diverse and mostly female people — wound through downtown Denver Friday morning, carrying cash-leaking effigies of President Donald Trump and waving signs mourning the loss of civility, ethics and compassion and calling out threats to civil rights.

“We’re protesting pretty much what Donald Trump represents,” said Juan Evangelista of Denver.

The march traveled from Civic Center, through the city’s central business district and ran up the west stairs of the state Capitol, passing crowds of men wearing motorcycle gear with patches reading “Bikers Against Radical Islam” and a man wearing a tall Uncle Sam hat handing out free American flags and carrying a sign reading “God Bless Our Veterans, Police, Firefighters.”

Denver police on bicycles rode alongside the marchers, and a trail of police cars and an ambulance followed to block traffic and keep the roads clear for the protesters.

The march paused every few blocks and the crowd’s chants would grow louder. A variety of causes were represented — health care, immigration, women’s rights, refugees, LGBTQ.

RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post Brenda Carrasco, center, screams at a member of a group that called Bikers Against Radical Islam during a protest in Denver, Jan. 20, 2017. Bikers Against Radical Islam clashed with anti-Trump protesters as they marched in Denver.

RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post Anti-Trump protesters meet up with Trump supports, including a group called "Bikers Against Radical Islam" during a protest in Denver, Jan. 20, 2017. The two groups clashed during a marched in downtown Denver.

RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post Michael McCloud, left, cheers on Donald Trump as an anti Trump protest marches down the 15th Street in Denver, Jan. 20, 2017. Protesters marched through downtown Denver streets and ended up at the Colorado State Capitol.



RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post People protesting the inauguration of Donald Trump make there way along Broadway in Denver, Jan. 20, 2017. Protesters marched through downtown Denver streets and ended up at the Colorado State Capitol.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post Demonstrators gather at the Colorado State Capitol Jan. 20, 2017, the day of Donald Trump's inauguration.

The Denver Post Protesters in Denver following Donald Trump inauguration Jan. 20, 2017.



RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post A protest flips the bird to Denver Police officers during a protest of the inauguration of Donald Trump in Denver, Jan. 20, 2017. Protesters marched through downtown Denver streets and ended up at the Colorado State Capitol.

RJ Sangosti, The Denver Post Caryn Sodaro burns an American flag during an anti-Trump protest in Denver, Jan. 20, 2017. Protesters marched through downtown Denver streets and ended up at the Colorado State Capitol.

Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post Demonstrators walk in downtown Denver Jan. 20, 2017, the day of Donald Trump's inauguration.



Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post Demonstrators walk in downtown Denver Jan. 20, 2017, the day of Donald Trump's inauguration.

Noelle Phillips, The Denver Post Demonstrators walk in downtown Denver Jan. 20, 2017, the day of Donald Trump's inauguration.

“Hey, hey. Ho, ho. Donald Trump must go,” the people said. And, “The people united will never be divided.”

Most protesters marched peacefully, waving their signs and chanting. A few tried — unsuccessfully — to incite violence. No arrests or injuries were reported, said Doug Schepman, a Denver police spokesman.

Office workers peered from windows, and one group of construction workers cheered from their perches on the metal beams of an office building under construction.

Most onlookers appeared to support the protesters. One woman told her male companion, “I can’t wait for tomorrow,” in reference to the Women’s March on Denver, planned for Saturday morning.

But some showed disdain for the spectacle.

“Go home, guys,” one man said as we waved his arm toward the march.

Evangelista, who was marching with Padres & Jovenes Unidos, an advocacy group for Latino children, said it was important to take a stand on the first day of Trump’s administration.

“There was a lot of rhetoric during his campaign that made our community feel under attack,” he said. “We want to be treated with civility and justice.”

This is one of the reasons I avoid downtown and why I avoid Colfax. I avoid businesses which are downtown or on Colfax. They are always having some kind of march or protest or some kind of event that disrupts or blocks traffic. Sometimes there is even violence.Head up: A small group of protesters are continuing to march around downtown Denver. Expect sporadic traffic delays for the rest of the day.Obviously, I loved the big pencil. (Note: It was old press swag from Rack Room Shoes.) twitter.com/JesseAPaul/sta…Walks softly, carries a big pencil. @Noelle_Phillips http://pbs.twimg.com/media/C2ope7FVEAAIJKJ.jpgMost of Denver's protesters have dispersed. A few rowdy ones are hanging around Civic Center/Capitol. t.co/3BaDCuz1UDThe bikers are taunting the protesters. t.co/l0bQ3sQhyHThings are getting hot at corner of Broadway & Colfax as bikers confront protesters.This guy is handing out flags to the protesters, asking for unity. t.co/mafynvjXVZNow on Broadway, crossing Colfax. t.co/IqKoHL33ZgThe Denver protest is at 17th & Broadway and about to turn South on Broadway toward Civic Center. It also has gotten a little smaller.The front line of Denver's protest march is young & diverse & female. t.co/XCynL3XT1Vt.co/z6t1LNzNH9The protest is moving along "Wall Street of the Rockies." t.co/Jb2tfnS0GVAt 17th & California in downtown Denver. #inauguration t.co/j6gSDI2eXQEvery couple of blocks, the Denver protest march stops to chant in an intersection.Per their usual protocol, @DenverPolice are following, letting people do their thing and controlling traffic. t.co/WSdfcecm1SI don't have a solid crowd estimate but Denver's protest stretches about 2.5 city blocks.The Denver protest march is headed east on 17th now. Lots of onlookers inside office buildings. t.co/RUWrUQaJtHDenver protest march is turning north on Arapahoe from 15th.This... t.co/vQAhVildmADenver's protest is moving down 15th Street. Occupying several blocks. I don't recommend driving downtown for the time being.Protests have moved on but there are two or three security officers on every block of @16thStMALL.Moments before DJT takes his oath, protesters on the march in downtown Denver. t.co/FHcnZUfb2b