RICHMOND, Va. -- Governor Ralph Northam has extended a state of emergency due to civil unrest in the City of Richmond for 30 days.
The extension comes after Mayor Levar Stoney requested an extension on the order to assist the city in their response to escalating violence in the wake of the deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor.
The original order declared on May 31 expired on June 29.
"The climate of our city has inevitably risen and has maintained at this heightened level since May 31. Today, Richmonders are calling out loud and clear for policies, practices, and public spaces that reflect a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable city," Stoney wrote in a letter to the governor. "While we diligently work to implement these changes, peaceful demonstrations are evolving into unlawful assemblies during late night and early morning."
Northam granted the request, extending the order an additional 30-days until July 30, unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.
"I proclaim that a state of emergency continues to exist in the City of Richmond. Accordingly, I direct state and local governments to render appropriate assistance to prepare for and respond to this situation, to alleviate any conditions resulting from the situation, and to implement recovery and mitigation operations and activities so as to return impacted areas to pre-event conditions as much as possible," wrote Northam.
The following actions will continue under the state of emergency order:
A. Implementation by state agencies of the Commonwealth of Virginia Emergency Operations Plan, as amended, along with other appropriate state plans.
B. Activation of the Virginia Emergency Operations Center and the Virginia Emergency Support Team, as directed by the State Coordinator of Emergency Management, to coordinate the provision of assistance to state, local, and tribal governments and to facilitate emergency services assignments to other agencies.
C. Authorization for the heads of executive branch agencies, on behalf of their regulatory boards as appropriate, and with the concurrence of their Cabinet Secretary, to waive any state requirement or regulation, and enter into contracts without regard to normal procedures or formalities, and without regard to application or permit fees or royalties. All waivers issued by agencies shall be posted on their websites.
D. Activation of the Virginia National Guard to State Active Duty.
E. Authorization of a maximum of $350,000 in state sum sufficient funds for state and local government mission assignments and state response and recovery operations authorized and coordinated through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management allowable by The Stafford Act, 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq. Included in this authorization is $250,000 for the Department of Military Affairs.
