PHOENIX — Police say eight people were arrested after a protest in downtown Phoenix Sunday night.
The event began as a peaceful march until protesters and law enforcement clashed at Phoenix Police Headquarters.
Demonstrators organized the event to remember the six-year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown Jr., who was killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri.
Watch live video from the protest below:
Protest underway in downtown PhoenixProtesters have gathered in downtown at Phoenix Police Headquarters on the 6-year anniversary of the death of Michael Brown Jr., who was killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri. ***This video may contain strong language, viewer discretion is advised. ***
Posted by ABC15 Arizona on Sunday, August 9, 2020
During the protest, the Phoenix Police Department played audio over the crowd declaring it an "unlawful assembly."
Officers say the protesters began pulling safety fencing that was being used to protect the police headquarters. The crowd then advanced into the area that had been blocked off by fencing.
Phoenix police say as they tried to force the crowd to disperse, several people removed items from backpacks and began throwing them at officers assaulting them. When officers tried to arrest those individuals, others stepped in the way to try to hinder the arrests. Police say less lethal measures were taken to take the eight suspects into custody.
When the unlawful assembly was declared, the crowd started to disperse to the east about ten minutes later.
Below are the eight people arrested as well as the charges they are facing:
Bruce Franks 35, aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest., riot, unlawful assembly, criminal trespassing, and five counts solicitation of a crime.
William Reed 27, unlawful assembly, hindering prosecution, criminal trespass, riot, misconduct with body armor, resisting arrest, aggravated assault.
Khiry Wilson 29, riot, criminal trespass, unlawful assembly, hindering prosecution, resisting arrest.
Jonah Ivy 22, riot, unlawful assembly, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, hindering prosecution.
Richard Villa 27, aggravated assault on a police officer, riot, resisting arrest, unlawful assembly, obstructing a thoroughfare.
Niyen King 21, riot, unlawful assembly, criminal trespassing, resisting arrest, hindering prosecution.
Elizabeth Urias 26, aggravated assault on a police officer, riot, criminal trespassing, unlawful assembly.
Nikkolas Quinones 27, 2 counts aggravated assault on a police officer, riot, unlawful assembly.
