Metro Phoenix protesters return downtown for 7th consecutive day
Jun 3, 2020, 4:08 PM | Updated: Jun 4, 2020, 6:18 am
PHOENIX — Metro Phoenix protesters returned to the streets for the seventh consecutive day on Wednesday in response to the deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota and Dion Johnson in Phoenix.
Zero arrests were made, Phoenix Police said. That continued a trend that began Monday.
Prosecutors upgraded the murder charge against Derek Chauvin — the former officer who was caught on video pressing his knee to Floyd’s neck — from third-degree to second-degree murder on Wednesday.
Three former officers who were at the scene of Floyd’s death were also charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter on Wednesday.
8:20 p.m.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Peter Samore reported the group of Metro Phoenix protesters obeyed the 8 p.m. curfew and dispersed without incident.
8:14 p.m.
Valley Metro announced a return to normal operations.
Service Update (Final): We have been cleared to resume normal service. All downtown Phoenix train stations have been reopened. #vmservice
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) June 4, 2020
7:35 p.m.
Phoenix police began reminding protesters of the 8 p.m. curfew.
A reminder to protesters, everyone else that #Arizona has a #curfew in 25 minutes. pic.twitter.com/omrlP2vKV8
— Peter Samore (@ktarpetersamore) June 4, 2020
7:06 p.m.
One of the organizers of the demonstrations addressed the crowd, telling them not to antagonize the officers surrounding the Phoenix Police Department’s headquarters, according to Crenshaw.
.@TheRealKhiry, who has been helping lead the crowd today admonishes the protesters lingering and “antognizing” the officers. Reiterates this is a peaceful march. pic.twitter.com/PuD784Qqnr
— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) June 4, 2020
6:41 p.m.
Crenshaw reported that protesters had taken a knee outside of the Phoenix Police Department’s headquarters before reading a list of demands.
Demonstrators have taken a knee and are reading their demands for Phoenix PD.
Down the street – outside PD HQ – are dozens of officers in riot gear pic.twitter.com/rs7RT0hPJM
— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) June 4, 2020
5:52 p.m.
The Phoenix Police Department announced traffic restrictions on Adams Street from Sixth to Seventh avenues in accordance with the evening’s protests.
#phxtraffic Vehicle and pedestrian traffic is restricted on Adams Street from 6th Avenue to 7th Avenue for the planned demonstration. Please use alternate travel paths. #streetsphx pic.twitter.com/ZvPSWjQRD5
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) June 4, 2020
5:40 p.m.
Protesters outside of Phoenix City Hall could be heard chanting “no justice, no peace” along with “I can’t breathe” for 8 consecutive minutes, according to Crenshaw.
FOR GEORGE FLOYD:
The group outside City Council is chanting “No justice, no peace. I can’t breathe.” for 8 straight minutes because that’s how long a leader said the Minneapolis officer had his knee on #GeorgeFloyd’s neck. pic.twitter.com/jPMpLRUTNb— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) June 3, 2020
5:15 p.m.
Numbers began to swell as protesters prepared to descend upon Phoenix police headquarters in response to the death of George Floyd in Minnesota and Dion Johnson in Phoenix.
For the 7th straight day, protesters start assembling in downtown #PHX. They’re demonstrating for #GeorgeFloyd, against police brutality. @PhoenixPolice here. LIVE @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/hCmLv1ZSTF
— Peter Samore (@ktarpetersamore) June 4, 2020
Valley Metro has already ceased bus and light rail service in downtown Phoenix in anticipation of the protest.
2:30 p.m.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside of Phoenix City Council chambers prior to a 2 p.m. meeting concerning civilian review of alleged police abuse, according to ABC15 reporter Zach Crenshaw.
Hundreds gathered outside City Council chambers now to protest the budget meeting. Many want to “defund the police.”
They’re also here – day 7 – for #GeorgeFloyd, #DionJohnson and the other African Americans killed by police. pic.twitter.com/xhjXeP83UE— Zach Crenshaw (@ZachCrenshaw) June 3, 2020
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