While protests continue across SoCal, L.A. County has no plans to impose curfews tonight.
L.A. County announced that there will not be a countywide curfew on Thursday night. However, cities within the county will still have the authority to impose their own—but none are currently in place. This follows growing pressure from organizations to lift the restrictions and allow more freedom to have their voices heard.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn agreed with this decision and said that “it gives the peaceful protesters more time to speak out on our streets without fear of arrest. Keep in mind that cities may impose their own curfews.”
Aditionally, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the City of Los Angeles would have no curfews tonight. “We remain strongly committed to protecting the right of Angelenos to make their voices heard and ensuring the safety of our community,” he said.
Prior to the announcement, L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villaneuva said his agency would not enforce a curfew in a Twitter post.
Based upon current situational awareness and the recent pattern of peaceful actions by protesters, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (@LASDHQ) will no longer enforce a curfew. Other jurisdictions are free to make their own decisions. pic.twitter.com/FOScHMxA2o
— Alex Villanueva (@LACoSheriff) June 4, 2020
The curfews were introduced when looting and vandalism took place amid the protests over the weekend, which Hahn says warranted the restriction and the increased enforcement. But as the demonstrations continue and the arrest numbers soar, officials acknowledged that the curfew was being used to detain peaceful protestors.
See more: Angelenos Will Be Shining Flashlights Into The Sky As A Silent Protest Tonight At 9PM
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