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Ducey denounces Patriot Movement group days after posing for photo with them

In a statement Monday, Ducey says he had never heard of the group until Sunday and he absolutely denounces their behavior.
Credit: Arizona Republic
Gov. Doug Ducey

PHOENIX- Gov. Doug Ducey is denouncing a controversial conservative group that confronts students about guns, even though he posed for a picture with group members last weekend at a Republican Party dinner in Mohave County.

The photo in question was posted to the Patriot Movement AZ's Facebook page Sunday but has since been deleted. In it, Ducey is seen posing with five members of the conservative group including two women, Lesa Antone and Jennifer Caminiti-Harrison, who who were caught on video in January harassing Latino staffers and a Native American lawmaker at the Capitol.

Patriot Movement AZ members have appeared as counter-protesters at several events this year.

Last month, members wore guns and yelled at attendees of the Phoenix March for Our Lives rally against gun violence in schools.

The deleted photo also shows Antone making the "Okay" sign with both of her hands. Some people have interpreted that to be a white power symbol, but the group took to Facebook to debunk that claim. A post published Monday read:

"👌👌 Its NOT a "white power" symbol. 👌👌 It's a Trump thing. If you dont (sic) get it, you ain't about that Trump Life. Stop perpetuating false racism conspiracy theories.

In a statement Monday, Ducey says he had never heard of the group until Sunday and he absolutely denounces their behavior.

The governor adds that agreeing to a photo with any group or individual shouldn't be seen as an endorsement of anyone's views or actions.

Associated Press contributed to this report.

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