BLACK LIVES MATTER - PHOENIX
In 2018, Phoenix ranked ahead of ahead of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston in police shootings.
A recent Arizona Republic investigation has proven the Phoenix Police Departments disproportionally use force against people of color, specifically targeting Black and Hispanic neighborhoods. Arizona law enforcement is replete with racial bias; Senate Bill 1070 and the re-introduction of stop and frisk policies, as well as the immigration tactics of Sheriff Joe Arpaio have brought the issue of police brutality to the forefront of everyday life for many Phoenicians.
The death of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN was the boiling point for Arizonans. Earlier that morning in North Phoenix, twenty-eight-year-old Dion Johnson was shot and killed by a Department of Public Safety officer. This moment fueled a local spark to a national flame against police brutality and racism in the United States.
These images from my time covering the Phoenix area protests are shared chronologically from May until September. They stretch across the entire Phoenix Metro Area and vary from church events to pro-police rallies. All faces or identifiable features have been shared with full permission and understanding towards their future use.
Some of these images were used in collaboration with Arizona PBS, AZ Central, KJZZ and the Phoenix Photographer Collective.
A cry from Minnesota echoes in Arizona. Hundreds gather on Washington Street following a vigil honoring the life of Dion Johnson on Friday, May 29, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A solitary youth kneels in defiance of police brutality in front of a wall of officers marching forward following a vigil to Dion Johnson on Friday, May 29, 2020.
After using rubber bullets and tear gas on protesters, Phoenix police march down Washington Street and disperse what was determined to be an unlawful assembly on Friday, May 29, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
Moments: Sorrow during a moment of silence in front of the Arizona State Capitol on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
An protester en route to the State Capitol prepares for any incoming violence from the Phoenix Police Department on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
The Saturday following the death of George Floyd, Jay stands in front of the Phoenix Police Department and displays a quote from the late hip hop artist and activist Nipsey Hussle, who was shot and killed early in 2019.
Youths begin to form a wall as police start to move protesters back from the Phoenix Police Headquarters on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
Protesters funnel past a patrol car after being forced back from the Phoenix Police Headquarters on May 31, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A protester uses the American flag to protect himself from tear gas and pepper bullets fired by the Phoenix Police Department on May 30, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A protester raises his fists against the Phoenix Police Department just before officers fired additional tear gas to disband what was determined an unlawful assembly on Saturday, May 30, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ
The following day, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announces a mandatory, state-wide, 8 P.M. curfew. That night, crowds grow to large for the streets and youthful protesters sit on storage containers on Sunday May 31, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
Minutes before a statewide 8 PM curfew is set to go into effect, protesters stand strong in front of police officers on Sunday May 31, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
As the clock strikes on a mandatory statewide curfew, a man covers his face and showcases his message regarding Phoenix resident Dion Johnson on Sunday May 31, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
Hundreds defy Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and march past curfew on the streets of Central Avenue on Sunday May 31, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
Prepared protesters scramble to cover tear gas shot by Phoenix Police at hundreds of protesters trying to shut down the I-10 freeway off 7th Street on May 31, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Phoenician Cierra Poarch, after washing her eys from tear gas shot by the Phoenix Police Department Sunday May 31, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Joseph, a retired military medic, washes his eyes with milk after being tear gassed by the police while helping others around 9:30 PM on the first night of an 8 PM state-wide curfew on Sunday May 31, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
After being detained, cuffed and eventually released by the Phoenix Police because there wasn't enough room in the patrol car for both her and her brother, Karen Barrios poses for a portrait on Roosevelt Street on Sunday May 31, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Two teary-eyed men exchange a hug after a protester engaged in peaceful conversation with the police officer for over ten minutes on June 1, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A former Marine shares his honest thoughts as he stands in front of a wall of policemen following a night of more than 200 arrests on June 1, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Signs left behind following a peaceful protests against police brutality on June 1, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
A mutual aid mobile parts through the middle of the protest crowd to hand out water, masks and provide any needed medical treatment to citizens as they march on June 2, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A Phoenix Police officer stares back at shouting protesters during the sixth day of protesting in Phoenix, AZ on June 2, 2020.
Following the response to the curfew, Phoenix protesters become more peaceful and demonstrative on June 2, 2020 off 3rd Avenue and Van Buren.
Amidst 110 degree heat, thousands of Phoenicians march on the Phoenix Police Headquarters for one of the cities largest protests on June 3, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Leaders from the W.E. Rising Project organize thousands following one of the largest marches Phoenix had seen that summer on June 3, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A young protester makes a clever Star Wars reference while marching in solidarity on Saturday June 5, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A man takes a water break during an 8 minute and 46 second moment of silence as thousands lay on the hot streets in the middle of a peaceful, church-led, protest on Saturday June 5, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Jake Angeli, also known as the "Q'Anon Shaman," protests against child trafficking during a Black Lives Matter march on Saturday June 5, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ. Angeli was often seen at BLM rallies in Phoenix but was not associated with the movement and used the number of people at these events to chat about his beliefs.
A young Latino protester from South Phoenix raises a fist while thousands march under him during a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday June 5, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Thousands march in solidarity during a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday June 6, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ
Protesters on Encanto Boulevard surge past Phoenix Memorial Coliseum during the March for Dion Johnson on Sunday, June 7, 2020 from Encanto Park to the Department of Public Safety in Phoenix, AZ.
Taking a break in the shade from the mutual aid truck amidst a hot Phoenix day during the March for Dion Johnson on Sunday, June 7, 2020.
Friendly conversation between a police officer and protester on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Khiry Wilson, a leader from the W.E. Rising Project, comforts a fellow protester sharing a personal story in front of the Arizona Supreme Court on June 8, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Hundreds stand following an 8-minute-and-46-second moment of silence in front of the Arizona Supreme Court on June 8, 2020 in downtown Phoenix, AZ.
W.E. Rising Project leader Christian Perry encourages the crowd to take photos of a memorial commemorating Arizona confederate soldiers during a small but peaceful Black Lives Matter protest on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
The W.E. Rising Project leaders address a crowd to walk home in groups at the end of a smaller Black Lives Matter protest on Monday, June 8, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A mural put together by several local artists goes up with a little help from some friends off 3rd Street and Garfield during a day of rest from protesting in Phoenix, AZ on June 12, 2020
Hundreds of skaters shut down Central Avenue during the Push Against Racism organized by Cowtown Skateboards on Sunday, June 14, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Skaters stand in front of a resting group of protesters as they head down Central Avenue during the Push Against Racism organized by Cowtown Skateboards on Sunday, June 14, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
An open Q&A with leaders running for city office as they discuss their platforms at Hillsong Phoenix on June 17, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Leaders with the W.E. Rising Project pose for a portrait during the Imagining A Phoenix Without Police event hosted by Poder In Action in front of the Phoenix City Council chambers on June 17, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Golden hour on A-Mountain in Tempe during the W.E. Rising Project's second Chalk Walk in front of the Tempe City Council Chambers on July 2, 2020.
Fourth of July in Downtown Phoenix as two groups exercising their First and Second Amendment rights being to merge in front of the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, AZ.
Attendees of the Independence Day Tailgate and First Amendment Protest clash with organizers from the March for Vanessa on Saturday, July 4, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Those staying with the March For Vanessa Guillen hold a candlelight vigil in her memory in front of the Sun Devil Fitness Complex in Phoenix, AZ on July 4, 2020.
Tones from one of the more popular Defund the Police posters at the March for James Garcia hosted by Poder In Action in Maryvale on July 6, 2020.
Temporary comfort for the sister of James Garcia as hundreds gather at the spot he was slain by the Phoenix Department for a candlelight vigil on July 6, 2020 in Maryvale.
Dozens shut down Lincoln Drive in Paradise Valley, AZ during a failed attempt to picket in front of the house of Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on July 7, 2020.
A skater recently arrived from San Francisco joins dozens with the W.E. Rising Project as they hand out food and electrolytes around the downtown Phoenix homeless encampments on July 15, 2020.
Returning from a month away from Arizona to see the slow marches and new tactics from the dozens of remaining regular protesters and officers who trailed. This is at a Party Sunday hosted by the New Age Liberation Movement on August 23, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Poder in Action welcomes back the Phoenix City Council from the summer break on August 26, 2020 with a press conference from families of victims of Phoenix Police brutality during the tenure of Mayor Kate Gallego.
After the welcoming event ended a small group associated with the newly formed New Age Liberation Movement shut down Jefferson Avenue before moving towards the police station on August 26, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
As protest numbers dwindled more regular ongoers protected their identities. Here, a masked protester holds a lone symbolic rose while walking to the Phoenix Police Headquarters on August 26, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
The Phoenix Police Department makes arrests as protesters walk back to their cars following the welcoming event on August 26, 2020.
In early July, Thin Blue Line protests began across the valley in Gilbert, AZ and BLM regulars decided to picket across from the group as each side of Gilbert Road and Arizona Avenue began to grow and primarily yell at each other on August 27, 2020 in Gilbert, AZ.
Two friends exercising their Second Amendment Rights pause for a moment as two sides shout at each other in Gilbert, AZ on August 27, 2020.
The Thin Blue Line side of Gilbert Road in their own largely conservative town of Gilbert, AZ on August 27, 2020.
Local paster Warren Stewart Jr. speaks to a couple hundred who are about to march on Washington Street in Phoenix to commemorate the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington on August 28, 2020
After the main march with the W.E. Rising Project disbanded in 10 minutes, only the New Age Liberation Movement remained and they lay down and did yoga in front of the Phoenix Police Department. All 12 were arrested while walking back to their cars the night of August 28, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
A gymnastic protester who would later be arrested for obstruction of a public thoroughfare does a handstand in front of about a dozen protesters who shut down Washington Street on August 28, 2020 in Phoenix, AZ.
Leslie Pico walks out after a night in the Maricopa County 3rd Avenue jail on August 29, 2020. She sustained while being pulled out of her car the night prior after picking up protesters who lay down in front of the police station in Phoenix, AZ.
The final organized protest I attended before moving away from Arizona landed in Chandler with the New Age Liberation Movement as the march back from the Chandler Police Department on September 4, 2020 in Chandler, AZ.