ARIZONA NEWS
Protests continue across the Valley for 11th consecutive day
PHOENIX – Protesters gathered throughout the Valley for the 11th consecutive day on Sunday.
The demonstrations were in response to the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Dion Johnson in Phoenix.
There were a handful of protests scheduled for Sunday.
Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro met at 3 p.m. in Encanto Park before marching for Dion Johnson, who was fatally shot by an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper on May 25.
In Scottsdale, protesters met at 5 p.m. for a peaceful protest.
Other protests were planned in Gilbert and Goodyear.
Since last Sunday, Phoenix police have made zero arrests in connection to downtown area demonstrations.
8 p.m.
Rodbell could be seen with the protesters until the conclusion of the demonstration. He told Gamiño those gathered were “exactly who they said they were.”
The crowd could be heard referencing future demonstrations as they dispersed.
8 P.M. CURFEW IS NOW IN EFFECT. @ScottsdalePD Chief Alan Rodbell stayed until the very end speaking with protesters and organizers. He tells me the group was “exactly who they said they were.” The peaceful protest was made up of a diverse crowd. They say protests will continue. pic.twitter.com/v6FjI8LpcQ
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 8, 2020
7:30 p.m.
The crowd began to disperse peacefully prior to the 8 p.m. curfew taking effect, according to Gamiño.
We’re 30 min from the start of curfew. The crowd has started to disperse. pic.twitter.com/dkeGJYx07H
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 8, 2020
6:39 p.m.
Phoenix protesters began making their way back to their starting point at Encanto Park, according to Forstner.
The March for Dion Johnson making its way back to its starting point at Encanto Park. pic.twitter.com/o0gnagXzwY
— Luke Forstner (@lukeforstner) June 8, 2020
6:38 p.m.
Scottsdale protesters temporarily halted their march for an 8 minute and 46 second-long moment of silence in memory of George Floyd, according to Gamiño.
Scottsdale protesters now taking an 8 min 46 second moment of silence. pic.twitter.com/DRUofcUJ9u
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 8, 2020
6:30 p.m.
Protesters in Phoenix could be seen affixing their signs to a fence outside of the Arizona Department of Public Safety headquarters building, according to Kinnerup.
Protesters hanging their signs on the chain linked fence outside of DPS headquarters. pic.twitter.com/lYo01AaFBg
— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) June 8, 2020
5:46 p.m.
The growing number of protesters in Scottsdale collectively knelt under the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall bridge.
Protesters are now taking a knee underneath the Scottsdale Civic Center Mall bridge, an officer tells me there are easily more a thousand people here. pic.twitter.com/zXJsl4IseW
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 8, 2020
5:33 p.m.
Protesters marching in downtown Scottsdale in memory of Dion Johnson were estimated to be at a couple hundred, according to Gamiño.
There’s now a couple hundred demonstrators walking the streets of downtown Scottsdale asking for justice in the death of Dion Johnson. pic.twitter.com/G51nWZuOwb
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 8, 2020
5:11 p.m.
Police blocked off roads at Encanto Drive and 19th Avenue as protesters proceeded along their march, according to Kinnerup.
Police blocking off roads at Encanto and 19th Avenue. pic.twitter.com/FwUNf5jU21
— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) June 8, 2020
5:07 p.m.
The Scottsdale march began with Chief Rodbell among those at the front of the demonstration, Gamiño reported.
Scottsdale protest is officially underway. @ScottsdalePD Chief Rodbell walking in the front. pic.twitter.com/4itSZONQdk
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 8, 2020
4:59 p.m.
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane could be seen in attendance at the Scottsdale protest speaking to one of its organizers.
.@MayorJimLane has arrived to the protest and is now speaking with organizer @armoneejacksonn. pic.twitter.com/VUZ67i484m
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 7, 2020
4:47 p.m.
Protesters began their march in response to the death of Dion Johnson, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Luke Forstner.
The March for Dion Johnson is on the move pic.twitter.com/odwednFQok
— Luke Forstner (@lukeforstner) June 7, 2020
4:39 p.m.
Scottsdale Police Chief Alan Rodbell could be seen speaking with gathering protesters, Gamiño reported.
.@ScottsdalePD Chief Alan Rodbell is currently talking to protesters, he is expected to talk with protesters today in a show of solidarity. pic.twitter.com/U7MndiauFm
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 7, 2020
4:30 p.m.
Protesters began gathering at North Wells Fargo Avenue in Scottsdale ahead of the 5 p.m. protest, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gabriel Gamiño.
HAPPENING NOW: In Scottsdale people are starting to gather for the 5 P.M. demonstration. There’s currently around 30 people. pic.twitter.com/JYAUO5iQuB
— Gabriel Gamiño (@gaminogabriel) June 7, 2020
3:35 p.m.
Protesters gathered at Encanto Park could be heard calling for additional funds to be allocated toward education, health care and housing rather than police departments, Kinnerup reported.
The first round of real chanting dedicated to what organizers and protesters would prefer to see money going to rather than police. “Money for schools, housing, healthcare etc not police.” pic.twitter.com/81LGu9sTcw
— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) June 7, 2020
3 p.m.
Hundreds began to gather at Encanto Park for the march for Dion Johnson, according to KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Tayor Kinnerup.
Out at Encanto Park where hundreds are gathering for the March for Dion Johnson. The location was announced just 45 minutes ago and already parking lots are practically full. @KTAR923 reporting with @lukeforstner pic.twitter.com/0iElMUIWMg
— Taylor Kinnerup (@TaylorKinnerup) June 7, 2020
2:15 p.m.
Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro announced their afternoon march for Dion Johnson will gather at Encanto Park at 3 p.m.
MARCH FOR DION: 1202 W. Encanto Blvd. Phoenix, Arizona 85007 #JusticeForDion #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/xW6nEsDJpw
— Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro (@blmphxmetro) June 7, 2020
9:00 a.m.
The Scottsdale Police Department announced road closures ahead of a planned march scheduled for 5 p.m.
The majority of the restrictions would be from Indian School Road to Second Street and from Drinkwater Boulevard to Scottsdale Road. The march is planned to start at Second Street and Marshall Way.
There is a march tonight in old town and these roads will be closed from 3-8 pm:
•2nd St from Marshall Wy to Drinkwater Bl
•Scottsdale Rd from 2nd St to Indian School Rd
•Drinkwater Bl From 2nd St to Indian School Rd
•Indian School Rd from Scottsdale Rd to Drinkwater Bl pic.twitter.com/einsEnFDs0— ScottsdalePD (@ScottsdalePD) June 7, 2020
