The City of Riverside has declared a local emergency and ordered a curfew beginning tonight, June 1, at 6 p.m. through June 2 at 6 a.m. The curfew is not expected to last beyond this 11-hour period but can be extended at the request of Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez, if necessary.
Due to civil unrest arising out of the protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Riverside Chief Gonzalez has requested this curfew to help maintain the peace and safety of residents, business owners, and visitors of Riverside.
“Although we are expecting a peaceful and safe demonstration that will allow our community members to express their First Amendment rights, we will effectively address any attempts to disrupt those engaging in peaceful protest,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “Riverside is a city of unity and inclusivity, and we know our residents and businesses do not invite the criminal behaviors we’ve witnessed elsewhere.”
During the curfew, no person will be allowed in any public place with the exception of police, fire, or emergency operations personnel, members of the National Guard or other responding military personnel, individuals traveling to and from work, authorized members of the media, individuals seeking or providing emergency medical care, essential workers, and individuals experiencing homelessness.
The declaration of this local emergency recognizes the fact that, while a majority of protesters have acted lawfully, there has been a significant amount of criminal behaviors, including acts of violence against first responders and peaceful protesters, vandalism of public and private property, looting of businesses, and failure to follow lawful dispersal orders in communities across the country and throughout Southern California.
The state of emergency and curfew declaration can be viewed at www.riversideca.gov/curfew.
