Arizona National Guard Deployed To Support Peaceful Protests In Kingman

Personnel from the Arizona National Guard have been deployed to promote peace as protesters demonstrate at a Black Lives Matter Rally in downtown Kingman. Police Lieutenant Joel Freed said several hours of protest before lunch today were peaceful.

No trouble was reported by 2:00 p.m., some seven hours into the demonstration. About 150 people were in or near the park by that hour.

Freed said the Guard is not responding to any specific threat or intelligence forecasting trouble. Police Chief Rusty Cooper said the soldiers arrived at his request.

Guard personnel arrived at the Kingman Airport by helicopter. Freed said the Guard will support local officers to ensure peace and to promote public safety.

Freed said anyone at the park will be asked to leave when curfew arrives at 8:00 p.m. The rally will continue Friday and Saturday between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m.