Phoenix, June 2 (IANS) More than 200 people were arrested during the fourth consecutive night of protests in Phoenix over the death of the unarmed African-American man George Floyd, police in the capital city of Arizona state said.
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed an executive order on Sunday declaring a statewide curfew lasting from local time 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. until June 8, reports Xinhua news agency.
The order prohibits people from “using, standing, sitting, travelling or being present on any public street or in any public place, including for the purpose of travel” with some exceptions.
However, local ABC15 news channel reported that many protesters remained in the Phoenix Police Department headquarters after the official protest was over and curfew started, holding signs, taking a knee and chanting outside of the building.
The police then declared unlawful assembly in the area and used tear gas against protesters.
Police on Monday did not give information about property damage from Sunday’s demonstrations, but disclosed that more than 200 adults and over 10 minors were arrested, with charges including rioting, unlawful assembly, disorderly conduct and curfew violation.
Nationwide demonstrators have eruoted since May 25, when Floyd, an unarmed 46-year-old man, died after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, held him down with a knee on his neck though he repeatedly pleaded, “I can’t breathe”, and “please, I can’t breathe”.
Chauvin has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.
–IANS
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