Phoenix Police Arrest Several After BLM Protests

PHOENIX — The Phoenix Police Department announced the arrest of four individuals Sunday evening after a protest broke out downtown in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Two of those arrested were known to police for previous protest activity, the department said.

A few dozen people began to gather near Phoenix City Hall downtown to protest around 6:30 p.m., and police were on hand. Protesters could be heard chanting Dion Johnson's name, the Black man who was shot by an Arizona Department of Public Safety officer in May, according to reporting from the Arizona Republic.

"No unlawful assembly was declared on this date," said police spokesman Sgt. Tommy Thompson in a statement. "In addition, no property damage occurred."

Phoenix police said a car driven by Brandon Valentine, wanted in connection to charges from a previous protest, was spotted near the crowd. His passenger, Ryan Tice, was also known to police for actions from a prior protest. As officers approached the car, Tice was seen closing the glove box; a subsequent search of the vehicle revealed two handguns, including one in the glove box. Both men were taken into custody and booked at the Maricopa County Jail — Valentine for multiple charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer.

As the protesters marched from city hall to Phoenix Police Headquarters, officers recognized Richard Callan, also wanted for a previous charge of aggravated assault on a police officer, among others. Callan attempted to evade police but was eventually arrested and booked.

As Callan was taken into custody, Survana Ratnam threw a water bottle at officers, the statement said, and swung an umbrella at them as they approached her, cutting his hand. She was taken into custody for two counts of aggravated assault on a police officer and one count of resisting arrest.

Phoenix has seen weekly protests since the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis.