Peoria mayor says violent protests won’t resolve political issues

An immigration protest in Peoria got out of control earlier this week and ended in a woman being arrested for assaulting an officer.

BY ROXANNE DE LA ROSA

Jun 12, 2025, 7:14 PM Updated: Jun 13, 2025, 12:14 pm

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PHOENIX — An immigration protest in Peoria got out of control earlier this week and ended with a woman being arrested after assaulting a police officer.

State leaders said the ICE and police situation was a drug enforcement operation and not an immigration raid.

Peoria Mayor Jason Beck joined KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday to talk about immigration protests and the incident involving the police officer.

Beck discussed some of the issues that arise when protests become violent and, in the end, doesn’t resolve issues.

How did Peoria protest lead to an officer getting assaulted?

Protesters gathered near the area of 67th and Peoria avenues, where police and ICE agents blocked off neighborhood areas.

The Peoria mayor said advocacy groups were giving out misinformation to the public through social media by reporting an immigration raid in the area.

However, there were many reported sightings of ICE agents across the Valley this week, including one in Tempe.

KTAR reached out to authorities about the situation and did not receive a response.

“I completely understand why people are protesting, and I think that they should, but they need to do it in such a way that they’re not touching an officer,” Beck said.

“They’re closing people’s ears off to what they’re actually communicating in the first place.”

The protester was 23-year-old Tyler Hitte who was previously arrested for protesting at a Palestinian rally. She was captured on video wrapping yellow tape at an officer before he turned and hit her with a metal water bottle.

Hitte was tased, arrested and charged with assaulting an officer.

Beck said Americans have a God-given right to protest but, said he would not tolerate violence against officers.

“I want people to have their voices heard. I think it’s extremely important. I think it’s important for them to actually peacefully protest,” he said. “I think it’s important for them to actually communicate in such a way because that’s what changes people’s minds.”