FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 31, 2020
House Democrats statement on Governor's emergency order and curfew
PHOENIX – Democratic Leader Representative Charlene Fernandez released the following statement on Gov. Ducey's executive order declaring an additional state of emergency and a weeklong an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew to stem demonstrations over police brutality and the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
"While we have serious concerns with the scope and practicality of the statewide curfew outlined in Governor Ducey's executive order -- and the fact that it does not mention or address the issue of police brutality -- we urge Arizonans to comply.
However, it is important that this curfew not be used as a license to further escalate tensions, or for Arizonans around the state to have police called on them for malicious or dubious reasons.
We must not forget that these demonstrations are a justifiable show of solidarity and frustration over the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, unanswered questions surrounding the shooting death of Dion Johnson by an Arizona Department of Public Safety trooper, and to bring an end to racism and police brutality in our communities.
No one in our caucus condones violence or vandalism, but Arizonans have the absolute right under the First Amendment to peacefully demonstrate, and it must not be infringed. You still have the right to raise your voice and demand change. Police treatment of people of color is a serious problem in our community and around the country and we must address it."
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