Curry orders curfew starting at 8 p.m.

Government

Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry ordered for a citywide curfew beginning at 8 p.m.May 31 until 6 a.m. June 1.

“Due to criminal activity that threatens first responders, citizens and private property, the Sheriff and I have decided to implement a citywide curfew effective 8 p.m. today to 6 a.m. tomorrow,” Curry said in a news release.

“This weekend, our city has endured unnecessary violence and damage due to a small segment of instigators,” Sheriff Mike Williams said in the news release. “In efforts to protect our communities, our businesses and our homes, JSO is prepared to enforce the Mayor’s Emergency Order for a curfew.”

The statement continues below:

When the mayor declares a state of civil emergency, pursuant to Section 674.302, he may exercise any or all of the following powers, in whole or in part, with such conditions and limitations as he deems appropriate, which shall be in effect during the period of the civil emergency in the area or areas for which the emergency has been declared:

The establishment of curfews, including the prohibition of or restrictions on pedestrian and vehicular movement, standing and parking, except for the provision of essential services such as fire, police and hospital services (including the transportation of patients), utility emergency repairs and emergency calls by physicians.

The prohibition of the sale or distribution of any alcoholic beverage.

The prohibition of the possession by any person in a public place of any portable container containing any alcoholic beverage.

The closing of places of public assemblage with designated exceptions.

The prohibition of the sale or other transfer of possession, with or without consideration, of gasoline or any other flammable or combustible liquid, altogether or except by delivery into a tank properly affixed to an operable motor-driven vehicle, bike, scooter, boat or airplane and necessary for its propulsion.

The prohibition of the possession in a public place of a portable container containing gasoline or any other flammable or combustible liquid.

The curfew comes after a peaceful protest May 30 near the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office headquarters Downtown turned violent. Multiple buildings in the area were vandalized with graffiti and smashed windows, according to Jacksonville Daily Record news partner News4Jax.com. Peaceful protests continued on May 31.

CNN reported near 40 U.S. cities are enacting curfews, including Miami and Orlando.

The protests against police brutality and violence were sparked by the death of George Floyd during his arrest Minneapolis on May 25. Many protests in large cities have turned violent.