Following the violent protests outside President Donald Trump’s downtown Phoenix rally Tuesday night, witness videos posted on social media are shedding some light on what happened (see the videos below).
Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said a small group of individuals threw rocks, bottles, and gas at police officers after Trump’s speech. She said officers responded with pepper balls and pepper spray, and four people were arrested.
Some witnesses have disputed Williams’ account, saying they were given little warning before officers became forceful. Immigrant and civil rights groups said they've filed a complaint and are seeking answers as to why police acted with such force.
See below for several raw videos of some of the violence (WARNING: Some of the videos contain graphic content):
Police firing flash bangs at protesters outside Phoenix Convention Center. There was no order for dispersal prior to this. pic.twitter.com/dy7POLO636
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel_) August 23, 2017
Police line pepper-bombing at 2nd St and Monroe pic.twitter.com/D9tFeUlBHL
— Aphex Twink (@JNoStrawBerRita) August 23, 2017
Downtown Phoenix after the Trump rally pic.twitter.com/hdrE9jfLnZ
— Simon Romero (@viaSimonRomero) August 23, 2017
Ugly scene in downtown Phoenix. Watch til the end pic.twitter.com/K516TbufIw
— Simon Romero (@viaSimonRomero) August 23, 2017
Police used tear gas to clear the area over here. pic.twitter.com/xxf4veNwFn
— Hunter Walker (@hunterw) August 23, 2017
Riot police at counter protest at trump rally in Phoenix https://t.co/rbfnVqzaOD
— Brianna Sacks (@bri_sacks) August 23, 2017
Can't see the end of the street pic.twitter.com/cuzeX77spC
— DSA?Phx? (@DSA_Phoenix) August 23, 2017
To call the police response to the anti-Trump protesters intense would be an understatement. #PhoenixRally pic.twitter.com/on8O6fMAEa
— Beatrice-Elizabeth (@MissBeaE) August 23, 2017
Tear gas going off outside of the #PhoenixRally pic.twitter.com/rz8CwoPr8r
— Gunslinger Girl (@USA_Gunslinger) August 23, 2017
Police shoot tear gas at violent Antifa 'protesters' outside of the #PhoenixRally who were throwing bottles at the police officers pic.twitter.com/yPsVHDERhk
— Gunslinger Girl (@USA_Gunslinger) August 23, 2017
I spoke with a group of protesters following the police's use of chemical agents, flash bangs and rubber bullets #PhoenixProtests pic.twitter.com/8Ek4PciH55
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel_) August 23, 2017
Here is the 2nd major offensive by Phoenix police that brought tear gas, flash bangs & rubber bullets on protesters #PhoenixProtests pic.twitter.com/Si9DwIM2eX
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel_) August 23, 2017
Police firing pepper spray balls at peaceful protesters pic.twitter.com/FBbuUtlMAq
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel_) August 23, 2017
The scene outside the convention center in Phoenix right now pic.twitter.com/yuvHfxOnQU
— Andrew Kimmel (@andrewkimmel_) August 23, 2017
