As more than a thousand people protested in Downtown Long Beach, officials declared a local emergency and instituted a citywide curfew starting at 8 p.m. The curfew is in place until 5 a.m. Monday morning.
The County of Los Angeles also issued a curfew that starts at 6 p.m. Alerts from the county said that order applies to all LA County cities, but Long Beach officials said that’s not true and Long Beach’s curfew is not in effect until 8 p.m.
The curfew means that no one can be on public streets, alleys, parks or other public places in the city during the curfew. This includes traveling on foot, on a bicycle, motorcycle or vehicle, officials said.
The only people exempt are:
- Law enforcement
- Firefighting personnel and emergency health care providers
- Civilians engaged in police or emergency work
- People who need emergency care
- Individuals traveling to and from their place of work
- Representatives of the media
Long Beach Transit announced it would be stopping all service at 5 p.m., echoing Los Angeles Metro system’s actions from Saturday night when protests over the death of George Floyd gave way to looting and vandalism.
A countywide curfew will be in place in place, starting at 6 p.m. and lasting through 6 a.m. @CountyofLA residents should remain in their homes and only go out to seek medical care or go to an essential job.
— Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) May 31, 2020
Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency for all of Los Angeles County on Saturday. Businesses throughout the city boarded up their windows in an attempt to protect against vandalism and looting.
The protest was largely peaceful as people marched throughout Downtown. But shortly after the curfew was announced at about 4 p.m., there were some reports of vandalism and looting.
Police warned in a tweet that enforcement action would be taken against any violence or property damage.
This is vandalism. We always support & encourage demonstrations & assure u we'll do everything possible to facilitate ur ability to exercise ur freedom of speech. However, please know violence or property damage of any kind will NOT be tolerated. Enforcement action will be taken. https://t.co/u36kTOC05w
— Long Beach PD (CA) (@LBPD) May 31, 2020
Police set up skirmish lines and prepared to order crowds to disperse. On Pine Avenue and Broadway, police declared an unlawful assembly, which means that protesters must leave or risk arrest.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify the conflicting curfew orders.
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