Police block off section of downtown Phoenix to traffic after protests

PHOENIX – Several streets in downtown Phoenix have been shut down to drivers Monday in response to continued protests and vandalism that have sparked a weeklong curfew in the state.

Barriers have been put in place along Jefferson and Washington streets from First Avenue to Seventh Avenue. There also are restrictions along Adams and Monroe streets along those avenues.

The concrete blockades cut off access to police headquarters, which was damaged by protesters last week and the Maricopa County Courthouse.

Police declared unlawful assembly in the area of Third Avenue and Van Buren Street around 8:20 p.m. Sunday, the fourth night of demonstrations in the Valley against the officer-involved deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota and Dion Johnson of Arizona.

Some protesters were aggressive, throwing rocks and bottles at police

Gov. Doug Ducey declared a State of Emergency on Sunday that imposed a curfew that will go into effect each day from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Only law enforcement, firefighters, the National Guard and other emergency responders can be on the streets during those hours.

The curfew bans anyone else from “using, standing, sitting, traveling or being present on any public street or in any public place, including for the purpose of travel …”

#PhxTraffic alert: there are numerous closures in the downtown area that will impact commuters. Washington & Jefferson are both closed between 1st Ave. and 7th Ave. There are also limited lane closures on Adams and Monroe in the same area. pic.twitter.com/5Dppo8XdDp

— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) June 1, 2020

Also exempt from the curfew are “Individuals traveling directly to and from work; attending religious services; commercial trucking and delivery services; obtaining food; caring for a family member, friend, or animal; patronizing or operating private businesses; seeking medical care or fleeing dangerous circumstances; and travel for any of the above services,” according to the declaration.

Police arrested more than 100 after Saturday night’s protest turned into rioting

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Jim Cross contributed to this report.

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