Black Lives Matter plans Saturday protest at Phoenix City Hall

PHOENIX – Social activists in Phoenix said they plan to demonstrate at City Hall on Saturday, calling to “abolish” the system responsible for the police-caused deaths of Breonna Taylor and Dion Johnson.

Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro and Poder in Action are among the organizers for the protest against the fatal police shootings of Taylor and Dion Johnson, both African Americans, set for 3:30 p.m.

Participants must wear masks, according to the post on social media.

“We mourned as were told twice that Black lives do not matter,” the post said. “On Saturday we march in their honor calling to abolish the system that killed them.”

The groups have assembled marchers for protests since late May.

The next gathering follows a downtown candlelight vigil Friday over last week’s decisions to not charge officers involved in the shootings of Taylor and Johnson.

Prosecutors announced Sept. 21 that charges against the Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper who shot and killed Johnson on Loop 101 in Phoenix weren’t warranted.

Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel said the available evidence corroborated Cervantes’ description of the incident, and she determined the shooting was a legally valid use of self-defense.

Johnson, 28, was killed the same day George Floyd died in Minneapolis after a police officer knelt on his neck for about nine minutes.

A Kentucky grand jury brought no charges against Louisville police for Taylor’s death March 13.

The only charges were three counts of wanton endangerment against fired Officer Brett Hankison for shooting into a home next to Taylor’s with people inside.

Sunday marked the fifth night of demonstrations in Louisville since the grand jury’s decision.

Related

Peaceful protest for Breonna Taylor, Dion Johnson planned in PhoenixProsecutors don't charge Arizona trooper who fatally shot Dion JohnsonPhoenix passes on proposed Black Lives Matter street muralDemolition of Food City in Tempe makes way for affordable housing, grocery developmentDead body found on South Mountain trail in Phoenix identifiedMark Kelly slams handling of Iran conflict, says he’s discussing potential presidential run