Phoenix police release video from protest outside Trump rally
Aug 31, 2017, 4:30 PM | Updated: Sep 1, 2017, 11:35 am
PHOENIX — Police released video Thursday of a protest outside President Donald Trump’s Phoenix rally that ended with tear gas and people being told to go home.
The footage was compiled from a mix of security cameras, officer footage and social media.
Phoenix Police Sgt. Jonathan Howard said the video showed protesters were throwing objects before police deployed tear gas, which was consistent with what Police Chief Jeri Williams said last week.
“We know that they were throwing water bottles, we know that they were throwing frozen water bottles,” Howard said. “We know that they were throwing bricks, rocks, shoes and other things, including things that were lit on fire.”
Howard said some officers were wearing body cameras, but that video was still under review. The department planned to release it at a later date.
The video primarily showed the area of Monroe Street between Second and Third streets. The road borders the north side of the Phoenix Convention Center and was the main protest site.
It appeared to show at least one form of smoke or gas thrown by protesters that landed near police. Officers responded with tear gas and smoke.
Excerpts from the full video are above. (WARNING: FULL VIDEO CONTAINS FOUL LANGUAGE AND IMAGES SOME MAY FIND UNCOMFORTABLE).
The protest began during the afternoon of Aug. 23, as the president’s supporters were waiting in line outside the convention center. Things were peaceful until Trump wrapped his speech.
Just after 8:30 p.m., police fired the first tear gas canisters after several protesters were fighting and throwing objects.
Over the next two hours, protesters and police squared off in downtown Phoenix. Flash bangs and smoke bombs were also used to disperse the crowds.
Four people were arrested that night. Another protester was caught after he claimed he was the person in a viral clip of a man getting hit with a pepperball.
Williams said commended the way her officers handled the protest, but the department would review the incident.
An attempt to launch an independent investigation was quashed Wednesday by the Phoenix City Council.
KTAR News’ Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.
