More than 200 arrested in downtown Phoenix for rioting, other charges

PHOENIX – Police declared unlawful assembly in the area of Third Avenue and Van Buren Street around 8:20 p.m. Sunday during the fourth consecutive night of protesting in downtown Phoenix.

Phoenix Police said Monday that more than 200 adults and over 10 minors were arrested, with charges including rioting, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct and curfew violation.

Just before 9 p.m., police used tear gas against protesters at 7th Street and the Interstate 10.

By 10 p.m., the streets had largely cleared of protesters.

Demonstrators had arrived to the Phoenix Police Department headquarters around 6 p.m. Protestors could be seen holding signs, taking a knee and chanting outside of the building.

Organizers advised protestors around 7:30 p.m. that their demonstration was over and to head home ahead of the state’s 8 p.m. curfew; however, many protestors remained in the area after the official protest was over.

Police said there was “criminal activity and a current danger” on the 3rd Avenue and Van Buren area about 20 minutes after curfew.

An Unlawful Assembly has been declared in the area of 3rd Ave and Van Buren St. due to criminal activity and a current danger to our community. Please leave the area including sidewalks, private property or roadways. pic.twitter.com/GCplUAvywu

— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) June 1, 2020

Protestors came face-to-face with police and there were reports that rocks and bottles were being thrown at police.

By 9 p.m., officers had blocked the roads north and south of the I-10 between 7th Avenue and 7th Street. Now long after, the closures extended to 16th Street.

NOW ⁦@PhoenixPolice⁩ trying to keep people out of downtown. They’ve blocked everything north and south of I-10 between 7th Ave and 7th St. But vandals are still out. LIVE Updates ⁦@KTAR923⁩ pic.twitter.com/ekaFKM5Wcm

— Peter Samore (@ktarpetersamore) June 1, 2020

ABC 15’s Adam Waltz reported that there were ten Arizona National Guard hummers parked at the Arizona State Capitol. Per Ducey’s order, the national guard will help with law enforcement if necessary.

The protests are in response to Monday’s deaths George Floyd in Minnesota and Dion Johnson in Phoenix.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey issued a statewide curfew set to take place at 8 p.m. The curfew will expire at 5 a.m. and will be implemented each night until June 8.

The order prohibits people from “using, standing, sitting, traveling or being present on any public street or in any public place, including for the purpose of travel” with some exceptions.

The protests continue after Saturday night where police called for an unlawful assembly around 10:30 p.m.

Phoenix police arrested more than 100 people following Saturday night’s protests. Charges included rioting, unlawful assembly and aggravated assault of a police officer.

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