Black Lives Matter Demonstrators Interrupt Phoenix City Council Meeting

By Sarah Ventre
Published: Wednesday, December 2, 2015 - 10:32pm
Updated: Thursday, December 3, 2015 - 10:48am
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At Wednesday’s Phoenix City Council meeting, Black Lives Matter demonstrators briefly interrupted a presentation by the Phoenix Law Enforcement Association, highlighting what they say is unfair treatment by the police.

While Phoenix Police Officer Will Buividas was speaking about budgetary concerns of the police union, a protestor began by saying, "We’re here to ask you for support for black and brown people who are being murdered by the Phoenix Police Department."

The activists then began chanting, “Justice for Rumain!” This is a reference to Rumain Brisbon, an unarmed black man who was shot and killed by Phoenix Police Officer Mark Rine one year ago.

Councilman Sal DiCiccio then tried to interrupt the demonstrators, saying in part, “These people are belligerent, they are anti-police … it’s unacceptable.” He then called for them to be ejected.

The demonstrators left the room while chanting “Black lives matter!” and “Not one more!”