ICE Protest Spirals out of Control in City of Glendale in Arizona

GLENDALE, Ariz., Feb. 3 (KNN) — Around 5 p.m. Sunday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the intersection of 67th Avenue and Camelback Road in Glendale to protest recent American immigration policy changes.

Initially, protesters stood on sidewalks and waved flags and signs as passing drivers honked in support. Eventually, a large box of fireworks was placed and set off in the middle of the intersection.

Responding police officers formed a riot line and began issuing verbal commands to the protesters to clear the intersection. A firework was then thrown at the officers.

Officers began retreating to the north, leaving several patrol cars unattended. Several protesters started damaging the police cars before a person entered and drove off in one police vehicle down the street before fleeing on foot. Glendale police were able to re-acquire the car and drive it away to safety.

Cars began doing burnouts and donuts in the intersection.

Shortly before 10:20 p.m., the Phoenix Police Air Unit began circling the crowded intersection. The helicopter activated its loudspeaker and warned protesters that the assembly had been declared unlawful.

All in attendance were ordered to leave the area; however, protesters refused commands and remained in the intersection.

At 10:30 p.m., Phoenix and Glendale police officers in riot gear began approaching the intersection from the north. Officers deployed aerial burst flash bangs, tear gas canisters, and pepper balls into the crowd after multiple verbal commands to disperse were ignored.

Protesters lit fireworks and threw bottles and rocks at officers.

A fire was lit behind a grocery store near the intersection’s northeast corner as protesters scattered throughout the area.

Phoenix police officers escorted firefighters to the location of the fire and provided crowd control as firefighters extinguished the flames.

It is unknown whether any injuries have been reported or arrests made.

The crowd has officially been dispersed from the area, but Phoenix/Glendale officers are expected to remain on the scene to ensure no additional demonstrations occur.

Jack Sorgi, Video Journalist / KNN