After three days of increasingly volatile protests over the death of George Floyd, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has declared an 8 p.m. curfew for the city over the weekend.
During the curfew, people are not permitted to travel on city streets or in any public place by foot or any wheeled vehicle of any sort. People who break the curfew are subject to a $1,000 fine or 90 days imprisonment. The curfew lasts from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day, and is due to be lifted on Sunday.
“All law enforcement, fire, and medical personnel, as well as any other personnel authorized by the City Minneapolis, City of St. Paul, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota State Patrol, or Minnesota National Guard are exempt from the curfew, as are people seeking exempt care, fleeing dangerous circumstances, or experiencing homeless.
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Demonstrations in the city have been sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in police custody while being arrested. Footage from the ongoing protests have shown fires blazing and clashes with police.
A state of emergency has been declared in Minneapolis. Meanwhile, the Minnesota National Guard said it “activated more than 500 soldiers” to the neighboring city of St. Paul and the surrounding area to quell the demonstrations.
Early on Friday morning, President Donald Trump suggested those who use protests as a cover to loot local businesses could be shot.
“I can’t stand back & watch this happen to a great American City, Minneapolis. A total lack of leadership. Either the very weak Radical Left Mayor, Jacob Frey, get his act together and bring the City under control, or I will send in the National Guard & get the job done right…..,” Trump wrote.
“….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!” he continued.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz struck a different tone in his tweets issued on Thursday afternoon.
“It is time to rebuild. Rebuild the city, rebuild our justice system, and rebuild the relationship between law enforcement and those they’re charged to protect,” Walz wrote. “George Floyd’s death should lead to justice and systemic change, not more death and destruction.”
“As George Floyd’s family has said, he ‘would not want people to get hurt. He lived his life protecting people.’ Let’s come together to rebuild, remember, and seek justice for George Floyd,” Walz continued.
Newsweek reached out to Mayor Frey’s office for further information. This story will be updated with any response.
