Protesters demand justice for those killed by Phoenix police

PHOENIX– Protesters gathered in downtown Phoenix Wednesday night calling for an end to police violence.

The demonstration was organized by Black Lives Matter Phoenix Metro and Poder in Action to honor the lives that were lost to police violence.

Multiple speakers at the rally called for the Phoenix City Council to defund the police department and hold officers accountable.

Outside of City Hall, an altar was set up with the names of 107 people who had been killed by Phoenix police since 2014.

The demonstrators originally planned to march following the speakers, but the group canceled the march citing safety concerns.

A handful of people still gathered outside of police headquarters, but just before 8 p.m., Phoenix police declared an unlawful assembly.

Ahead of the demonstration, Phoenix police acknowledged on Twitter that there have been regular protests in the community and reminded demonstrators about guidelines for public demonstrations.

A second protest was planned for uptown Phoenix at 7 p.m. to protest against the death of Jacob Blake, a black man who was shot trying to enter his vehicle in Kenosha, Wisconsin, but it was also canceled for safety reasons.

Protesters planned to march east along Camelback Road from Central Avenue to 24th Street. Instead, a handful of people were seen at the intersection of Camelback and Central holding signs.

Ahead of the protest, multiple businesses along Camelback announced they would be closing early ahead of the planned march.

Follow @Kaci_Demarest