PHOENIX — Protests in Phoenix continued on Friday night downtown Phoenix after a vigil for Dion Johnson, a man shot and killed by DPS earlier this week in Phoenix.
Other protests are happening across the country tonight for George Floyd, a man that died in police custody in Minneapolis earlier this week as well.
At approximately 11:30 protesters began breaking windows and lighting off fireworks. Protesters also began breaking windows and vandalizing Phoenix Police vehicles.
Please be advised that roads in the area around Encanto between Grand and 19th Ave may be closed this evening while demonstrators exercise their First Amendment rights. pic.twitter.com/YQTBdFDlJO
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) May 30, 2020
Demonstrators in the area of 6th Ave and Washington are being instructed to disperse.
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) May 30, 2020
Property throughout the downtown Phoenix area has been vandalized as some demonstrators engage in criminal behavior, breaking windows and doors to municipal and private business and destroy cars parked along the street.
— Phoenix Police (@PhoenixPolice) May 30, 2020
Protesters descended on downtown Tucson late Friday, breaking windows and tagging buildings.
Unlike Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who remained silent Friday night, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called for an end to the destruction:
Our hearts are hurting at the needless murder of yet another black HUMAN BEING.
We’re upset. Rightfully so. However, this does NOT justify harming small businesses that are already suffering during these difficult times. (1/2)
— Regina Romero (@TucsonRomero) May 30, 2020
Tonight will define a lot of political careers, for better or worse. #GeorgeFloydProtest #protests
— Samuel Stone (@SamThePol) May 30, 2020