RICHMOND, Va. -- Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney announced Richmond will be under curfew following riots that gripped downtown Richmond on both Friday and Saturday night.
“The past two nights, we’ve seen what could have been peaceful protests turn violent and destructive,” Mayor Stoney said. “We’re taking these steps to promote lawful and safe demonstration and protect both people and property.”
The curfew begins Sunday at 8 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m. Monday and will be in effect nightly until further notice.
"It will be enforced," the mayor said.
While details of the curfew are still being worked out, in general it means people are not allowed out within the city limits between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
The mayor also announced the Virginia National Guard will be ready to respond to Richmond, if needed.
"I've been talking with Gov. Northam since early this morning. I've requested the assistance of the National Guard if needed. The Governor says they're ready if needed," the mayor said.
Rioters have set fires, broken windows, tagged buildings and monuments with graffiti, and stolen merchandise from stores as peaceful protests over the death of George Floyd turn violent throughout the night.
Floyd died Monday after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on Floyd's neck for nearly 9 minutes until he stopped breathing.
“This 2020 yet this is still happening. And so [Friday] night, like in other cities across this country, we saw a lot of individuals express their frustration, express that pain,” Mayor Stoney said Saturday morning, following the Friday night protests. “I understand where they're coming from and feel that pain and that hurt.”
The mayor then asked those who protest to do so responsibly.
“We welcome folks to come and peacefully protest and peacefully demonstrate. However, what I was taught as a young man still follows me today is that two wrongs do not make a right,” he said. “The injustice that occurred to George Floyd and others -- that is wrong. The destruction of property, the damage to property -- that is wrong as well. Two injustices don't make a right. That doesn't create justice.”
