Northern Arizona students and others protested the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis during a march held on June 4, 2020. Click on image above or bottom of story for the full video. Video by Star Hunter / AmigosNAZ.com
Compiled by AmigosNAZ.com
From NAU students protesting around Flagstaff, to statements from officials condemning the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, and the nationwide/worldwide protests this past week.
The Northern Arizona community has also come out to make their voices heard.
Send an email to fmoraga@amigosnaz.com to make your voice heard.
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A Message from Chief Treadway and the Command Staff of the Flagstaff Police Department
Flagstaff Police Dept. Chief Kevin Treadway.
Many of you should be aware by now of the tragic event which unfolded last week involving Police Officers in Minneapolis and the death of George Floyd as he was being taken into custody. This event has created division and unrest in many parts of the country. As your Chief of Police, I want to assure the community that the Flagstaff Police Department’s highest priority is the protection and preservation of life. This has been our primary mission the entire three decades I have worked with the Flagstaff Police Department and continues to be the most important part of our mission moving forward. To protect and serve is why the majority of us became Officers.
As Police Officers we are trained starting in the Police Academy to de-escalate incidents as quickly as possible but especially once control has been established. Upon our initial response we are allowed and authorized to respond to resistance within the law and pursuant to policy to gain compliance. Once compliance or custody is established, we deescalate. Our training is continual, ongoing and constantly updated with an emphasis on life and safety.
I have seen the video and the news reports surrounding the events in Minneapolis. From my observations of what has been released, I want to assure our citizens that Officers with the Flagstaff Police Department are not taught, nor does our culture condone tactics or actions seen in this video. I will not comment further on the actions of the Minneapolis Officers involved since I do not know all the facts of the case. They potentially will have their day in court and due process will judge their actions, but I can certainly relate to the strong feelings possessed by so many who have watched this very disturbing video. Let me assure you those of us committed to professional policing here at the Flagstaff Police Department share in those concerns and are equally disturbed.
While we are monitoring events taking place across the country, Flagstaff is not Minneapolis or other locals where criminal acts of civil unrest have occurred. We must ensure that we do not create or escalate divisiveness where it is not comparable. Please remember this as we move forward as a community. Together we can emerge stronger, healthier, and more united as we better understand each other. Our Officers are always here to serve and protect you, and we thank you for your continued support.
Also see:
- Arizona Daily Sun — Flagstaff Chief of Police Treadway kneels, speaks with protesters
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Sheriff Jim Driscoll’s response to the death of George Floyd
Coconino County Sheriff Jim Driscoll. Courtesy images.
As the Sheriff of Coconino County I share in the community’s shock and anger over the events recently occurring in Minneapolis. I greatly value the diversity and public trust of our citizens and constantly strive to maintain and strengthen our relationships with all of our communities.
I am outraged, as many of you are, by the actions of a few officers and will not tolerate similar behavior by anyone in my agency.
I understand and support the Constitutional rights of individuals to peaceably assemble and lawfully protest. However, I do not condone violence or unlawful activities.
My commitment to you is to maintain integrity, transparency and professionalism in fulfilling the duties of my sworn Oath of Office to protect and serve the citizens of Coconino County.
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County Attorney Bill Ring’s response to the death of George Floyd
Coconino County Attorney Bill Ring.
With regard to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota:
As the County Attorney of Coconino County, a land with great diversity of peoples, I condemn as intolerable the disgusting abuse we see in video and news media coverage of the death of George Floyd. Mr. Floyd should never have lost his life that day. Our shared Constitutional right to due process assured him that he would live through a compliant encounter with law enforcement. Except as we all have seen, trust in the equal application of that promise was tragically broken by callousness and plain old deplorable meanness.
The fair administration of justice requires that the Minneapolis District Attorney and the Minnesota Attorney General review all the available evidence such as civilian videos, body-worn police cameras, eyewitness statements, statements from the officers if they choose to give them, and a complete forensic autopsy. The weight of the evidence will dictate those who are accused and their charges, along with the course of prosecution in pursuit of justice. The process of criminal justice is deliberate for a reason. We must seek what is true by way of what is correct so that the result is complete and the answers we learn are the basis for the restorative work ahead of us.
And yet there are the many peoples’ collective history of long walks and painful experiences that drive civil protests. Protestation and righteous discontent have been the driver of change in our democracy. I respect the right to grieve. Grievance can be uncomfortably loud at times and nonetheless be completed peacefully. I have always been proud of our community’s abilities in this regard. But like Dr. King, I do not condone violence. Mr. Floyd’s ultimate legacy will be a national commitment to improve our attitudes on race and justice, law enforcement training and performance review, and our commitment to achieve equal justice for all.
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Coconino County Statement on Statewide Curfew Order
District 2Supervisor Liz Archuleta.
COCONINO COUNTY — Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman, Sup. Liz Archuleta issued the following statement after the announcement of statewide curfew.
“Gov. Duce y has announced a statewide curfew fo r all o f Arizona every night this week. The curfew begins at 8pm and will lift each morning at 5am. Coconino County encourages all persons to comply with the Governor’s order and limit any travel during curfew to essential needs for work or public health or safety.”
“Protests have erupted across America in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. Racism, bigotry, intolerance and xenophobia have no place in Coconino County and are not part of the values that our diverse and multicultural community believes in. This is a foundational belief for Coconino County and one we re recently proclaimed again as we condemned the incitement of violence against the Navajo people amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“We have seen peaceful protests in our County in response to this tragedy. W e encourage all residents and visitors to peacefully engage in their First Amendment rights as has been the case this past week . Every person has the right to peacefully protest the failure of America to fulfill its promise of equality and justice for all.”
The Governor’s Emergency Declaration can be found below or at this link: https://azgovernor.gov/governor/news/2020/05/emergency-declaration-curfew-beginning-tonight
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