Demonstrators marched in major cities across the US on Friday to protest against the killing of unarmed black men by white police officers (Agence France- Presse)
An Arizona police chief has postponed a "Run from the Cops 5K" fundraising event in light of nationwide protests following a series of killings by police of unarmed black men, including in Phoenix.
The annual five-kilometer run was planned for today in Tempe, just outside the Arizona state capital Phoenix, where a white officer killed a 34-year-old black man this week after mistakingly believing that he had a gun in his pocket.
"Out of sensitivity, respect, and support for all sides of an important debate taking place all across our great nation, it is necessary to proactively postpone this year's race," wrote Tempe police chief Tom Ryff.
The event was designed to raise money for a variety of local causes including supporting the families of fallen or injured Tempe police officers.
"At the time -- three years ago -- when the race and its name were conceived, no-one could have predicted the events of the future," said the police chief.
"Or, that the name of our event could be construed, and possibly misinterpreted, by some to mean the exact opposite of our intentions -- to hold an event which brings the community and our police department together."
The announcement came as more protests erupted in major cities across America demanding justice.
A grand jury declined Wednesday to charge a white police officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black father-of-six in July on Staten Island, New York.
The jury decision came a week after another grand jury also opted not to charge a white policeman in the fatal shooting in August of an unarmed black teenager in Missouri.