Far-right group leader turns herself in after protesters pepper-sprayed in Tempe

In a video captured by protestors, the car with Harrison and another man inside turns the...
In a video captured by protestors, the car with Harrison and another man inside turns the corner, and pepper spray is fired into the crowd.(Rebecca Formisano)
Published: Jul. 7, 2022 at 2:44 PM MST
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TEMPE, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) — Tempe police say the leader of a far-right group turned herself in on Thursday evening after pro-choice supporters were pepper-sprayed at a protest last weekend. Police say Jennifer Harrison, the founder of AZ Patriots, gave herself up at the Tempe Police Department around 5 p.m.

On Sunday, a group of protesters gathered at the corner of Mill Avenue and University Drive when a car pulled up, and the passenger sprayed the crowd. Four people were treated at the scene, and one person was taken to the hospital.

The confrontation was captured on camera, and witnesses identified the passenger in the car as Harrison. Witnesses said the crowd and Harrison got into an argument. Video then shows Harrison reportedly sticking her arm out and spraying the crowd. Some protestors believed it wasn’t pepper spray but rather bear spray. On Thursday afternoon, the Tempe Police Department tweeted that officers were “actively attempting” to find Harrison.

Harrison was booked for disorderly conduct and assault. Additional charges of aggravated assault will also be submitted to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.