Major Cities Across The Country Institute Curfews

TOPLINE

With peaceful daytime protests over the death of George Floyd often devolving into riots and looting at night, some cities have instituted curfews to try to maintain order.

KEY FACTS

Key background

Protests have erupted in cities across the nation in response to the death of 46-year-old Floyd last Monday, who was seen on video saying “I can’t breathe” as officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for several minutes. Dozens of cities remain engulfed in protests, some of which have featured looting and rioting, even after Chauvin was arrested and charged with manslaughter and third degree murder.

Surprising Fact

Baltimore Mayor “Jack” Young went against the grain on Monday by declining to institute a curfew, praising peaceful protesters and saying that police would arrest any violent ones.

Chief Critic

The curfews have drawn widespread criticism from the left, in part for being implemented on short notice. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioned how police will deal with their cities’ homeless populations, while Amnesty International argued that they restrict the rights of peaceful protesters and reduce transparency by restricting access for journalists and observers. Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser initially argued that violent protesters don’t obey curfews, but has since instituted one.