Protest activity escalates in Tempe; police arrest 7 demonstrators

PHOENIX — Protest activity escalated to seven arrests in Tempe on Monday night as demonstrators spilled into the streets in defiance of police orders, authorities said.

Just before 8 p.m., police confirmed demonstrators had “taken” Scottsdale Road at Playa Del Norte Drive and had been warned to disperse.

The Tempe Police Department had declared the gathering to be an unlawful gathering shortly after that, according to the Arizona Republic.

Tempe police have deemed the protest an unlawful gathering and are asking protesters to disperse or they will be subject to arrest. pic.twitter.com/dRqH7Ec2Ic

— Audrey Jensen (@Audreyj101) July 28, 2020

Around 8:30 p.m., according to reports, protesters had gathered to form a line at the intersection Rio Salado Parkway and Packard Drive.

Darien Barrett, an activist and organizer with Tempe Against Police Violence, was arrested by police after gathering at the intersection, according to Jensen.

Police confirmed the total number of arrests in an email Tuesday morning to KTAR News 92.3 FM.

The march began at 5 p.m. at Tempe Beach Park Amphitheatre in memory of Dion Johnson and Dalvin Hollins.

Johnson was fatally shot and killed by an Arizona Department of Public Safety Trooper on May 25 — the same day as Minnesotan George Floyd died in police custody — while Hollins was shot and killed by a Tempe police officer in 2016.

After the march began, the Tempe Police Department said officers “are in the area to ensure the safety of those exercising their First Amendment Right.”

Monday, July 27, 5 pm, Tempe Beach Park Ampitheatre. #PhoenixProtest #TempeProtest #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/shZPEMjYwB

— Phoenix Protest Live (@PhxProtestLIVE) July 27, 2020

Around 6 p.m., Tempe police asked all demonstrators to remain on sidewalks and within marked crosswalks pursuant to Arizona Revised Statue 28-646B, which prohibits loitering in unauthorized crosswalks.

By about 7 p.m., authorities said protesters were headed east toward Scottsdale Road, but said protesters would be prohibited from entering the road.

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