Metro Phoenix protesters return downtown for 8th consecutive day
Jun 4, 2020, 5:08 PM | Updated: 8:27 pm
PHOENIX — Metro Phoenix protesters returned to the streets for the eighth consecutive day on Thursday in response to the deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota and Dion Johnson in Phoenix.
Earlier on Thursday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey made his first public remarks regarding the death of Floyd.
“It’s an American tragedy. It should be condemned by leaders at every level,” Ducey said during a press conference. “In Arizona, we will listen to those that want to have a civil discourse to ensure that it never happens again in the United States of America.”
The Phoenix Police Department released additional information on the death of Johnson, 28, who was fatally shot by an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper on the same day Floyd was killed.
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Since Sunday night, Phoenix police have made zero arrests in connection to downtown area demonstrations.
8 p.m.
Protesters began to disperse peacefully as the curfew took effect, according to Gamiño.
The demonstrators also announced their plans to resume marching on Friday at 5 p.m.
8:00 P.M.- CURFEW IS NOW IN EFFECT: the crowd has peacefully dispersed. They are expected to return tomorrow at 5 p.m. for what they call their ”regularly scheduled protest.” pic.twitter.com/DDqFxvyzTF
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 5, 2020
7:40 p.m.
The Phoenix Police Department announced to protesters that the curfew was impending, thereby leaving any remaining protesters subject to arrest.
.@PhoenixPolice has started to announce that curfew begins in 20 min and those still on the streets are subject to arrest. pic.twitter.com/dGpWiQ0uiF
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 5, 2020
7:27 p.m.
Organizers reminded protesters to be mindful of the time ahead of the statewide curfew being implemented.
Organizers ask protesters to keep an ”eye on the clock” as curfew approaches. Some have started to disperse. pic.twitter.com/1gfeblTwxm
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 5, 2020
7:24 p.m.
Protesters temporarily stopped their march at the intersection of First Avenue and Jefferson Street for 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silent reflection on the life of George Floyd, Gamiño reported.
HAPPENING NOW: Protestors have stopped at the intersection of 1st Avenue & Jefferson for a 8 min 46 second moment of silence in memory of George Floyd. pic.twitter.com/Fyl4nMD8Sr
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 5, 2020
6:36 p.m.
Protesters marched passed Phoenix police officers quipped with riot gear as they made their way beyond the Burton Barr Central Library, according to Gamiño.
Protesters encounter first group of police officers in riot gear next to the Burton Barr Central Library. Some protesters asking officers to take a knee. pic.twitter.com/YLV7KgHjX8
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 5, 2020
6:06 p.m.
Protesters called for the budget of the Phoenix Police Department to be reduced by 25%, Gamiño reported.
Protestors calling for @PhoenixPolice to be defunded by 25% and for that money to be used toward community programs. They are also asking for mental health checks for officers. pic.twitter.com/oZXvZyTF2d
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 5, 2020
5:57 p.m.
As the march came to another temporary halt, protesters could be heard calling tear gas a “war crime,” calling for the demilitarization of police departments and their desire for increased funds for public education, according to Kinnerup.
The group has paused again talking about demilitarizing the police. This includes “defunding the police” saying they’d like to see less money for police and more money for education. “Tear gas is a war crime.” pic.twitter.com/NObLQjldXd
— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) June 5, 2020
5:47 p.m.
Protesters temporarily halted their march at the intersection of First Avenue and Van Buren Street where they knelt and called for addition mental health resources to be made available to law enforcement personnel, Kinnerup reported.
Protesters have stopped along 1st Ave and Van Buren. They’re calling for police officers to have more mental health resources and mental health checks, especially after discharging their weapons. pic.twitter.com/rWyYjW0CZB
— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) June 5, 2020
5:35 p.m.
Protesters began marching along First Avenue, according to Gamiño.
5:34 PM- Protestors have started marching in downtown Phoenix. pic.twitter.com/rtXefL2M7D
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 5, 2020
5:24 p.m.
Outside of Phoenix City Hall, protest leaders could be heard calling on the crowd to remain peaceful throughout the evening, according to to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Taylor Kinnerup.
Back outside the Phoenix City Council Chambers where @PhxProtestLIVE leaders are calling on protesters to be peaceful tonight as the crowd continues to grow. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/yfy2eCYv8b
— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) June 5, 2020
5:13 p.m.
As the crowd grew in size across the Street from Phoenix City Hall, Gamiño reported an organizer could be heard encouraging the crowd and advising them to support each other.
A much larger group of people is now gathered across the street from city hall, an organizer is speaking about the success of protests thus far and reminds protestors to take care of each other. pic.twitter.com/MhE9mNf7Nd
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 5, 2020
4:51 p.m.
Roughly 50 protesters could be seen gathered across the street from Phoenix City hall, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gabriel Gamiño.
4:51 PM- Around 50 people now gathered across the street from city hall. They are trying to stay in the shade for now. pic.twitter.com/8hJ0fVeqej
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 4, 2020
4:35 p.m.
Valley Metro announced there would be no rail service in the downtown area due to the scheduled protests.
Service Alert: Due to planned protests at 5 p.m. There will be no rail service in the downtown area. We will be running from 19th Ave/Dunlap to Thomas/Central and Gilbert Rd/Main St to 12th St/Washington. 1/3 #vmservice
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) June 4, 2020
1:30 p.m.
Phoenix Protest Live announced plans for protesters to gather at Phoenix City Hall at 5 p.m. before marching primarily along First and Central avenues. The demonstration was scheduled to conclude at 7:50 p.m. — ten minutes before the statewide curfew takes effect.
MARCH TONIGHT in Downtown Phoenix to support #BlackLivesMatter and FIGHT injustice in our community and across the country! See attached flyer for details and route 🙂 follow organizer @xoxojazzyb ! Spread the word! #PhoenixProtest pic.twitter.com/Xguh6M62CF
— Phoenix Protest Live (@PhxProtestLIVE) June 4, 2020
