Audio:Protest Against Police,Tempe Az : AZ IMC

This is a short summary of the protest against the national gathering of the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Execustives (NAWLEE) that was held on July 31- August 3 in Tempe, AZ. by Collin Sick Nearly 30 Anti-police activists from a variety of groups such as Phoenix Copwatch, Tempe Copwatch, No Jail Fees, Phoenix Anarchist Coalition, and the AZ Socialist Party came out to the hour long demonstration that was held in front of the Tempe Mission Palms hotel on 5th st. in downtown Tempe on Friday, August 1. There was some confusion as to whether the NAWLEE attendees would be bussed in to the hotel or how they would enter the hotel as the NAWLEE schedule of events was changed, more than likely due to security concerns by the Tempe PD after it was learned there would be a protest. As we waited for the NAWLEE attendees to arrive, the Tempe PD approached our group to ask how many people would attend, they received no serious answers, but more cops on horseback, bike, and in unmarked cars appeared. Soon enough NAWLEE attendees began walking to the entrance of the hotel, which was barricaded by security and hotel vehicles. The NAWLEE attendees were booed and heckled by the crowd of protesters, as they trickled into the hotel for over 45 minutes, the group started chanting "No justice, no peace! No racist police!" others chanted "NAWLEE out of Tempe," while others handed out fliers to passer-bys. It seemed that the NAWLEE attendees got the message. The Tempe PD at the demo, who were previously spread out, began congregating in opposite directions of the protest, so we made the decision to call it a night and disperse, as no NAWLEE attendees had come by in 15 minutes, or so, and it looked like the Police may have been preparing to make some arrests, or confront the crowd. There were no arrests, even with the large police presense. This was an important event for Tempe and valley area anarchists and radicals, as police harassment and brutality of protesters and activists has been on the rise in the last two years, and in the Tempe/Phoenix area, as well as around the nation, there has been a marked rise in the amount of police brutality and police shootings witnessed by the public and recorded in the media. This violence aimed at communities of color, at poor people, at women, at queer people will continue, unless, we take a stand, and beat back the police attack.