Protesters in metro Phoenix return for 9th consecutive day
Jun 5, 2020, 5:36 PM | Updated: 8:45 pm
PHOENIX — Phoenix protesters returned to the streets Friday for the ninth consecutive day in response to the deaths of George Floyd in Minnesota and Dion Johnson in Phoenix.
Friday’s protest planned to start marching from City Hall at 5:30 p.m. and end at the Sandra Day O’Connor Courthouse.
Route for the March today in Phoenix #PhoenixProtest pic.twitter.com/ij4fm9mGFb
— Phoenix Protest Live (@PhxProtestLIVE) June 5, 2020
Organizers encouraged participants to plan to leave before 8 p.m. to comply with the state’s curfew.
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Since Sunday night, Phoenix police have made zero arrests in connection to downtown area demonstrations.
8:16 p.m.
Scottsdale Police have lifted road restrictions on Scottsdale Road.
There was a blockade in place as a free speech zone for protesters Friday between Highland Avenue and Camelback Road.
Traffic restrictions on Scottsdale Rd. have now been cleared. Please drive safely.
— ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) June 6, 2020
8:00 p.m.
The statewide curfew took effect at 8 p.m., but the majority of protesters dispersed following the demonstration.
7:39 p.m.
Valley Metro tweeted that normal transportation services have resumed following the protests downtown.
7:30 p.m.
With a half hour until the state’s curfew, protesters arrived back at Phoenix Police Department headquarters to listen to organizers where they let the crowd know the time and told them to get home safely.
7:00 p.m.
Hundreds of protesters continued to make their way through the streets of downtown Phoenix. Participants could be heard chanting the names of George Floyd and Dion Johnson.
6:30 p.m.
Valley Metro tweeted that downtown service platforms were still temporarily closed due to the protests.
The platforms from Encanto Boulevard and Central Avenue to 12th Street and Jefferson and Washington streets were closed. Buses will shuttle riders between the Thomas Road and Central Avenue station and 12th Street and Washington Street station.
Service Alert: Update. At this time the downtown platforms are still temporarily closed due to the protests in the area. We will keep you updated as the situation develops. #vmservice.
— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) June 6, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Phoenix Police chief Jeri Williams tweeted that she was invited to join the peaceful protest downtown.
“I’m confident our community can come together and be stronger,” Williams said in the tweet.
Tonight I chose to walk and talk with peaceful demonstrators. They invited me to be with them as part of our ongoing meetings to find viable solutions to their genuine concerns. I’m confident our community can come together and be stronger. https://t.co/jDtuA3r447 pic.twitter.com/obL1ws4zoO
— Chief Jeri Williams, Phoenix Police (@PhxPDChief) June 6, 2020
5:30 p.m.
Hundreds of protesters gathered in downtown Phoenix to march from City Hall to the Sandra Day O’Connor courthouse.
About a thousand marchers already gathered for #GeorgeFloyd protest in #Phoenix. Leader says he won’t stop marching until there’s change. LIVE at 530pm @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/yrYn9OQsms
— Peter Samore (@ktarpetersamore) June 6, 2020
Phoenix police chief Jeri Williams was seen marching with protesters. Williams told protestors that they heard protesters through their constant demonstrations.
“We can’t do this alone,” Williams said on Monday. “We’ve got to do this together, and if walking out in 106 degrees with you all means that we’re going to work together, we’re going to work together.”
Now @PhxPDChief addresses crowd of thousands. pic.twitter.com/cYZsalH4G3
— Peter Samore (@ktarpetersamore) June 6, 2020
3 p.m.
Several hundred students marched from Steele Indian School Park to the Phoenix Union High School District office to ask the district to terminate its relationship with Phoenix Police.
The students asked the district for school resource officers to be removed from campuses.
HAPPENING NOW- Several hundred students marching to the Phoenix Union High School District office. They want school resource officers to be removed from the schools. @KTAR923 pic.twitter.com/UjNeuC1SnL
— Griselda Zetino (@GriseldaZetino) June 5, 2020
1:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Police set up barricades in anticipation of Friday night demonstrations. They also blocked off Scottsdale Road between Highland Avenue and Camelback Road for a free speech zone.
Today's protest organizer has cancelled the event. In anticipation of others peacefully protesting we have designated a free speech zone on Scottsdale Rd. btwn Highland and Camelback until curfew at 8. We fully support the right to peacefully protest & are here to keep you safe. pic.twitter.com/qtNYH4VjNN
— ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) June 5, 2020
Valley Metro warned public transportation riders that there would be service restrictions due to ongoing events.
🚨 Rider Alert 🚨
Riders are encouraged to take RAPID and Express 🚌 service prior to 5 p.m. today to avoid service disruptions due to ongoing events. Service will be limited after 5 p.m. and may change with little to no warning. pic.twitter.com/iwpeqoWxNa— Valley Metro (@valleymetro) June 5, 2020
