Demonstrators go to Phoenix, Gilbert for 10th night of Valley protests
Jun 6, 2020, 8:08 PM | Updated: 8:25 pm
Protestors march in downtown Phoenix on June 6, 2020. (KTAR Photo/Gabriel Gamiño)
(KTAR Photo/Gabriel Gamiño)
PHOENIX — For the 10th day in a row, protestors went to downtown Phoenix in response to the the deaths of George Floyd and Arizonan Dion Johnson.
Meanwhile, in Gilbert, a protest that marched from the downtown area to the police station resulted in some police officers kneeling with the demonstrators.
Phoenix protestors started at Phoenix City Chambers and began to march on Washington Street at 5:30 p.m. The route took them to Phoenix Superior Court.
In addition, here are the flyers for the regularly scheduled march in Downtown organized by @WERisingProject pic.twitter.com/hR7HqGClPy
— Phoenix Protest Live (@PhxProtestLIVE) June 6, 2020
As the march proceeded, protesters made stops throughout downtown, including an eight-minute and 46-second silent protest around 6:30 p.m. near 5th and Van Buren streets to signify the time George Floyd had a knee to the back of his neck while in police custody.
Protesters are now taking an 8 min 46 second moment of silence. That’s how long George Floyd had a knee to the back of his neck. pic.twitter.com/HwdS6VSu9G
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 7, 2020
With the 8 p.m. curfew approaching and the protesters completing their scheduled march, some people in the group began to disperse around 7:45 p.m.
Organizers on scene said they plan to continue protesting every day until they see change in Phoenix and Arizona.
About 25 min from the start of curfew the protest has returned to where it started next to the City Council Chambers. Some protesters have started to disperse. Organizers say they will continue marching everyday until they see change in PHX and AZ. pic.twitter.com/r0zsxcG3Ct
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 7, 2020
By 8 p.m., the downtown crowd had dispersed.
Joining protesters in Phoenix for the second straight day was Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams.
She was joined by Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, where they were expected to speak at the Black Mothers Forum at the Eastlake Park in Phoenix.
The discussion about issues including police brutality and racial injustice began at 5 p.m.
Mayor Kate Gallego and Chief Jeri Williams arriving together at Eastlake Park. Walking to the stage area @abc15 pic.twitter.com/BGHR3EkbiN
— Adam Waltz (@Adam_Waltz) June 7, 2020
In Gilbert, hundreds of people began convening downtown around 4 p.m.
Around 5:30, much of the group began its southbound walk toward the police station, though about 20-30 stayed on Gilbert Road holding signs.
Hundreds of peaceful protesters marching and chanting on Gilbert Road in downtown Gilbert right now. pic.twitter.com/OtUGrbZqXl
— Kevin Stone (@kstonezone) June 7, 2020
The marchers made their way to the police station, where they were joined by some officers who knelt with them.
As curfew set in, the group began leaving.
Thanks to everyone who came out to this evening’s protest.
We appreciated the opportunity to connect with our community members and simply listen to what they all had to say.
Have a safe night and stay safe. https://t.co/Mu1D543yji
— Gilbert Police Dept. (@GilbertPolice) June 7, 2020
KTAR News’ Gabriel Gamiño and Kevin Stone contributed to this report.
