Police used tear gas and pepper spray to disperse protesters during a civil rights demonstration in Phoenix Friday night.
Tear gas deployed at 7th St and McKinney. Crowed dispersing. Avoid the area pic.twitter.com/Ye1LFugerd
— Damon Cecil, PIO (@dps_pio_cecil) July 9, 2016
Civil rights leader Rev. Jarrett Maupin led the march, which kicked off at 8 p.m. outside Phoenix City Hall.
About 1,000 people chanted "black lives matter" and "hands up, don't shoot" as they marched.
The few dozen officers initially escorting marchers mostly wore plain clothes. Later, officers wore uniforms and riot gear.
NOW: Man with @realDonaldTrump sign escorted out of #Phoenix social justice rally. https://t.co/aPwfZF94lf #abc15 pic.twitter.com/mN2rMNc0Pb
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) July 9, 2016
Around 9:15 p.m., Maupin said they were changing the march route and planned to shut down Interstate 10.
The Arizona Department of Transportation tweeted that multiple Interstate 10 ramps were closed.
DPS: PHX protestors who try to block I-10 will be arrested. On ramps to the 10 are closed at 7 St to car traffic now pic.twitter.com/0Vw46KlrLF
— Jon Erickson (@JonEricksonTV) July 9, 2016
Police deployed pepper spray as demonstrators approached I-10.
NOW: @phoenixpolice deploy pepper spray against protesters near 7th Street/Fillmore. https://t.co/wsQoRGGcfI #abc15 pic.twitter.com/kUI1NkoFsy
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) July 9, 2016
RAW VIDEO: Protestors clash with Phoenix officers
Officials say six people were injured. The extent of their injuries are unknown. Police say three people were taken into custody for throwing rocks at officers.
Police say 3 arrested at last night's protest: Andre Hendricks, Christian Soto, Devon Brooks. pic.twitter.com/JzNGntU4yM
— Raquel Cervantes (@RaquelABC15) July 9, 2016
Protestors throwing rocks at Phoenix PD. #Phoenixrally. Suspect in custody. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/HykybQvDmj
— Damon Cecil, PIO (@dps_pio_cecil) July 9, 2016
The event -- also said to be a vigil for Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, both recently shot by police officers -- was planned and scheduled before the deadly turn of events in Dallas.
Gunmen shot and killed five police officers and wounded seven others during a protest over fatal police shootings of black men in other states, authorities said. It appeared to be the deadliest day for U.S. law enforcement since the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Mayor Greg Stanton released a statement later on Friday morning, urging protesters to reschedule the event "in light of the horrific events in Dallas" and "for safety's sake".
Stanton said, "If the organizers choose to go forward and exercise their First Amendment rights tonight, the City of Phoenix will do everything in our power to make sure the public, and our police officers are safe."
Full statement from @MayorStanton asking organizers to reschedule rally tonight outside of Phoenix City Hall. #abc15 pic.twitter.com/NiiSI0Kunk
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) July 8, 2016
Authorities and community activists also weighed in on the decision to go forward with the Friday rally.
"We cannot let domestic acts of terrorism, acts of domestic terrorism, which is what occurred in Dallas, prevent us from being civil rights activists or prevent the police from being law enforcement officers," Rev. Jarrett Maupin said.
