Eight people were arrested Saturday night during the second night of protests in Tucson, including one person accused of aggravated assault after police say he threw rocks at an officer, officials said Sunday.
About 400 protesters gathered Saturday night, and at times some of them confronted about 200 officers, throwing rocks and bottles. A firefighter on Saturday also was struck in the face by a rock.
Protests around downtown started Friday night, and Tucson Police Chief Chris Magnus said the department was braced for another one Sunday night, despite a statewide curfew Gov. Doug Ducey issued in the afternoon.
Protests sprang up in Tucson and in dozens of cities across the country after the death of George Floyd, the unarmed black man who died during an arrest last week in Minneapolis.
On Saturday night, several hundred protesters marched from downtown Tucson, up North Fourth Avenue and to the University of Arizona. The first few hours of the protest were relatively calm, compared with the vandalism and confrontations with police a night earlier.
They held a silent sit-in in the street at the intersection of East 14th Street and South Sixth Avenue and then marched to the UA campus to listen to several speakers discuss the death of Floyd and their personal experiences with racism.
However, not long after 11 p.m. Saturday, the situation became more tense and chaotic.
After the rally at the UA, some marchers tried to go back downtown. Dozens of police officers formed lines to block them near the train tracks at South Sixth and East Toole avenues. While some protesters splintered off from the main group and others dispersed, confrontations also broke out between protesters and police officers.
By Sunday morning, few signs remained of the property damage in downtown. A small amount of broken glass littered the pavement near the AC Marriott on Broadway.
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Numerous businesses in downtown Tucson had tacked plywood to their storefronts.
Some posted signs saying they were locally owned, a strategy used across the country in the hopes that unruly protesters would spare local businesses. The words “Black Lives Matter” was painted on plywood on the front of a store on South Sixth Avenue.
In the spirit of the Ben’s Bells Project, the local non-profit that awards kind acts, volunteers were busy painting “Be Kind” on the plywood on Sunday morning.
“It’s just the community coming together to show solidarity and to spread the message of kindness, compassion and love because our community is really hurting right now,” said Audrey de La Rosa.
After hearing about the property damage, she went downtown with a broom and trash bags. She saw many employees of businesses already at work cleaning and putting up the plywood.
Mayor Regina Romero, City Councilwoman Lane Santa Cruz, and more than 75 volunteers helped clean up downtown and Fourth Avenue on Sunday morning, according to Romero.
Volunteers swept up broken glass, painted over graffiti and picked up trash. Volunteers came from numerous organizations, including the Tucson Police Department, Sundt Construction, Concord General Contracting, Tofel Dent Construction, SALC, Rio Nuevo, Tucson Metro Chamber, Tucson Roadrunners, HSL, Swaim Associates Architects and GHLN Architects and Engineers.
Photos: Peaceful protests and violent clashes in downtown Tucson
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A person throws an object towards the Tucson Police Department line near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A protestor in a wheelchair tries to get away from tear gas near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A pedestrian walks past closed and covered locally owned business Flash in the Past Studio and Shop, 43 S. 6th. Ave., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 31, 2020. Tucson businesses and buildings in downtown were vandalized after the second day of protests in Tucson. In response, businesses placed signs on doors informing the public that businesses were locally owned.
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Pieces of wood, decorated with Ben's Bells be kind symbol, cover up windows at Cartel Coffee Lab, 210 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 31, 2020. Tucson businesses and buildings in downtown were vandalized after the second day of protests in Tucson. In response, businesses placed signs on doors informing the public that businesses were locally owned.
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A person reacts after getting hit with pepper bullets fired on a crowd confronting Tucson Police on 7th Street near 6th Avenue after a peaceful demonstration turned violent on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 31, 2020.
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A person dares Tucson Police to hit him with pepper bullets as a few hundred confront law enforcement along 7th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues as things turn violent on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 31, 2020.
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A protestor grabs a selfie with a line of Tucson Police officers in riot gear holding a line against a several dozen protestors at the underpass on 4th Avenue on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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A woman stands in the spotlights from Tucson Police holding a line against a hundred or so protestors along 7th Street as the night's demonstration turned violent on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 31, 2020.
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A man sprays an accelerant onto a fire in trash container dragged onto 6th Street by dozens of protestors moving through the streets on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 31, 2020.
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A man gets water poured onto his face after Tucson Police fired tear gas onto a line of protestors shielding behind several vehicles on 7th Street and 5th Avenue on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 31, 2020.
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Several protestors advance through the haze of expended pepper bullets on the line of Tucson Police holding them at bay on 7th Street near 6th Avenue on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 31, 2020.
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A dumpster burns along 7th Street besides Miller's Surplus after protestors set in on fire and wheeled it toward a line of Tucson Police on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 31, 2020.
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Two men advancing on a line of Tucson Police try to shelter behind a paper sign as they are pelted with dozens of pepper bullets on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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Protestors hurl construction signage and barriers onto 6th Street as they retreat from Tucson Police on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 31, 2020.
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Tucson Police Department officers approach a dumpster lit on fire by people near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A man tries to set fire to a small branch near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A dumpster set on fire by people scene next to Miller's Surplus near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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People move a segment of fencing to a make shift barricade near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A police officer uncuffs a person following during a traffic stop following the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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An officer talks with a cuffed person following the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A person is put in cuffs by a police officer following the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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People ride on the back of a car as they leave 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A man steps away from tear gas fumes set off near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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Two men hold street signs to block projectiles shot by police officers near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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Tucson Police Department officers clear an alley of people near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A man reacts after trying to light a branch on fire multiple times while protesting near 6th Avenue and 7th Street during the second night of protests in Tucson, on May 30, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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About 500 gather outside along Stone Avenue at the Tucson Police headquarters on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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A motorist stuck on 5th Avenue by the 500 or so protestors streaming east on Broadway gets cell phone video of the crowd flowing by on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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Approximately 500 protestors head north on Stone Avenue after gathering briefly in front of the Tucson Police headquarters on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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Protestors sit in the middle of 6th Avenue at 14th Street, briefly blocking traffic on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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A handful of protestors sit on the curb outside the Tucson Police Department headquarters early on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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Danitza Hernandez paints Be Kind in Spanish on the window of Scented Lear on East Congress Saturday, preparing on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020. A loose group of local neighbors and residents were painting the symbols on the windows of downtown buildings hoping it would help to keep roving bands of protestors from smashing the glass.
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LeCaire Whitfield, left, Patrick Swartz and John Krikawa board the windows on their Krikawa Master Jewelers preparing for the worst on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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A woman walks down the line of riot gear clad officers guarding the Tucson Police headquarters as about 500 protestors gather briefly in the street on the second night of protests in Tucson, Ariz., May 30, 2020.
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A woman passively confronts a row of Tucson, Ariz., Police as they advance their line a few yards at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, during a protest in the wake of nationwide anger following the death earlier in the week of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A man attempts to talk to the line of Tucson, Ariz., Police at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, during a large protest of the death earlier in the week of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A dozen protestors take seats in front of a line Tucson, Ariz., Police at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, during a large scale protest in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A protestor uses a construction barrel he dragged in as an easy chair to face off with Tucson, Ariz., Police at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, in the wake of nationwide anger following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A man attempts to talk with Tucson, Ariz., Police at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, during a large scale protest in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A woman sits in front of one of two lines of Tucson, Ariz., Police at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, in the wake of nationwide anger following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A woman raises her hands as she approaches a line of Tucson, Ariz., Police, at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, during a protest in the wake of nationwide anger following the death earlier in the week of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A couple of people sit in the windows of homes sprayed with protest graffiti as a few hundred protestors face off with Tucson, Ariz., Police at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020.
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A man pours water at the feet of Tucson, Ariz., Police as a few hundred protestors at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, show their anger following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A woman asks for a hug from the line of Tucson, Ariz., Police confronting protestors at the corner of Cushing and Church, May 28, 2020, during a demonstration in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
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A protester vents at a line of Tucson Police Officers in riot gear at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester holds a sign up in remembrance of George Floyd during a demonstration at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester raises hands in the air while turning away from a line of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A line of Tucson Police Officers in riot gear at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Protesters stand off against a line of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Tucson Police Officers in riot gear stand at Cushing Street and Church Ave. while facing off against a group of about 300 protesters, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Officers from the Tucson Police Department dressed in riot gear stand at Cushing Street and Church Ave. as the face off against a group of about 300 protesters, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Protestors stand off against a line of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Two officers from the Tucson Police Department whisper to one another while a group of roughly 300 protestors stands in front of them at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Protesters stand off against a line of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester tries to talk with an officer from the Tucson Police Department while demonstrating at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester tears up while facing off against police officers at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Shattered windows on the TEP building in downtown Tucson from a protest that took place on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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People photograph dumpsters set ablaze on Broadway during a protest in downtown Tucson, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A man looks out a broken window of Charro Steak after the several windows were broken during a demonstration in downtown Tucson, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Hotel staff sweep up broken glass after several windows of the AC Hotel were damaged during a protest in downtown Tucson, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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People board up Charro Steak's windows after they were broken during a demonstration, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Protesters stand off against a line of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Protesters stand off against a line of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Officers from the Tucson Police Department dressed in riot gear stand at Cushing Street and Church Ave. as the face off against a group of about 300 protesters, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester vents at a line of Tucson Police Officers in riot gear at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Officers from the Tucson Police Department dressed in riot gear stand at Cushing Street and Church Ave. as the face off against a group of about 300 protesters, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Officers from the Tucson Police Department dressed in riot gear stand at Cushing Street and Church Ave. as the face off against a group of about 300 protesters, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester tries to talk with an officer from the Tucson Police Department while demonstrating at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester tries to talk with an officer from the Tucson Police Department while demonstrating at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Officers from the Tucson Police Department dressed in riot gear stand at Cushing Street and Church Ave. as the face off against a group of about 300 protesters, on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester yells at officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester keeps her hands raised in a peaceful manner in front of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. Close to 300 people took part in a protest that was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester takes a photo of an officer from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. Close to 300 people took part in a protest that was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Protesters stand in silence with their arms raised in front of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester lit and threw a firecracker in front of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. Close to 300 people took part in a protest that was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester holds up her sign in front of officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. Close to 300 people took part in a protest that was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester yells at officers from the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A protester lights a bundle of sage during a protest near the Tucson Police Department at Cushing Street and Church Ave. on May 29, 2020. Close to 300 people took part in a protest that was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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Officers from the Tucson Police Department stand shoulder to shoulder to form a line and face off with about 300 protesters near the depatment's headquarters at 270 S Stone Ave. on May 29, 2020. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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The Tucson Police Department headquarters at 270 S Stone Ave. was tagged during a protest on May 29, 2020, in Tucson, Ariz. The protest in Tucson was similar to those in numerous cities across the United States following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week.
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A pedestrian walks their bike past the Fox Theater, 17 W. Congress St., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 31, 2020. Tucson businesses and buildings in downtown were vandalized after the second day of protests in Tucson. In response, businesses placed signs on doors informing the public that businesses were locally owned.
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Broken glass remains in front of a broken window at One West Broadway, 1 W. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 31, 2020. Tucson businesses and buildings in downtown were vandalized after the second day of protests in Tucson.
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The refection of a Tucson Police Department vehicle shows in the decorated doors of The Rialto Theater, 318 E. Congress St., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 31, 2020. Tucson businesses and buildings in downtown were vandalized after the second day of protests in Tucson. In response, businesses placed signs on doors informing the public that businesses were locally owned.
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Pedestrians walk past covered windows of Charro Steak, 188 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 31, 2020. Tucson businesses and buildings in downtown were vandalized after the second day of protests in Tucson. In response, businesses placed signs on doors informing the public that businesses were locally owned.
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A pedestrians walks past covered and decorated windows of Charro Steak, 188 E. Broadway Blvd., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 31, 2020. Tucson businesses and buildings in downtown were vandalized after the second day of protests in Tucson. In response, businesses placed signs on doors informing the public that businesses were locally owned.
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A sign informing the public about Club Congress is taped on a door at Hotel Congress, 311 Congress St., in Tucson, Ariz. on May 31, 2020. Tucson businesses and buildings in downtown were vandalized after the second day of protests in Tucson. In response, businesses placed signs on doors informing the public that businesses were locally owned.
