Locals demand response from Gov. Ducey after false statement in press conference

YUMA, Ariz. ( KYMA, KECY) - Local residents who participated in the Black Lives Matter Movement March in Yuma last week are demanding an apology from the Arizona Governor after he announced one of the reasons for the state-wide curfew was due to incidents that occurred in Yuma.

However, News 11 reached out to the Yuma Police Department (YPD), the Public Information Officer, Sgt. Lori Franklin, confirmed there were no arrests, injuries, or incidents at any of the protests in Yuma County.

One local artist and BLM organizer said if protestors are held accountable when it comes to the looting during a protest, so should politicians not telling the truth on television.

“We didn’t come out to break anything, we didn’t have any incidents, we didn’t voice our pain in that manner," said Alex Osuna.

In our interview with Osuna earlier last week he said one of the goals was to show the world that demanding justice for Floyd's death could be done peacefully. Osuna called out the City of Yuma Mayor, Douglas Nicholls for his statement released after Ducey's announced.

“There’s no mention as to what his response was, no mention of an apology from the governor, or an apology by mayor Douglas," said Osuna.

Osuna along with several others want accountability on behalf of their state and local leaders. To call the March for what it was; peaceful.

He shared with us that he has personally reached out to the Governor's and Mayor Nicholls office for a response on how that information came to be. Osuna said no-one has returned his calls, messages, or emails.

News 11 reached out to the Yuma Mayor Nicholls for an on-camera interview, but he declined our media request. Our news teams was referred back to his statement on social media.

Our news teams has yet to hear back from the governors office.