The mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, announced this Monday a curfew in New York from 11:00 at night to 5 in the morning (local time) as a result of the protests that shake the city after the death of George Floyd.
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New Yorkers: I’ve spoken with @NYGovCuomo and for everyone’s safety we have decided to implement a citywide curfew in New York City tonight. It will take effect at 11pm and be lifted at 5am tomorrow morning.
– Major Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 1, 2020
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De Blasio said on his Twitter account that the decision was made after a conversation with Governor Andrew Cuomo. “We support peaceful protests “, but as a result of the violence and looting of recent days, “For everyone’s safety, we have decided to implement a curfew in New York City tonight,” he wrote.
At least 140 American cities staged demonstrations against police brutality and racism on Sunday, according to local press.
A curfew was imposed on dozens of them, including Los Angeles, Houston and Washington DC The mayor and governor of New York announced in a statement that the police will double their presence on the streets to help prevent violence and prevent destruction and looting.
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“I support and protect the peaceful protests in this city” in the wake of the death of Floyd, a black man, by a white police officer a week ago in Minneapolis, De Blasio said in the statement.
“The demonstrations we have seen have been generally peaceful. We cannot let violence undermine the message of this moment. It is too important and the message must be heard“said the mayor.
De Blasio’s daughter Chiara, 25, participated in a protest over Floyd’s death on Saturday and was stopped by the police, who released her the same day.
The mayor told reporters he was “proud” of her. Protests, meanwhile, continue throughout the country. About a thousand protesters were protesting peacefully Monday afternoon in Times Square, clapping and shouting “George Floyd, George Floyd” y “Black lives matter” (Black lives matter) in front of police officers in riot gear.
“I am here because my life matters”said to the AFP Shina Moore, a 23-year-old African-American who works at a Starbucks coffee shop. Moore said he will defy the curfew tonight.
“The people will not respect him. Cuomo is our governor, he is doing a good job, but this is not his fight. These protests will continue as long as it takes: one day, one week, one month, one year.”
(Read also: There were 18 complaints against police involved in George Floyd’s death)
Mayor De Blasio said he spoke with Police Chief Dermot Shea about incidents of repression against protesters. A police van was filmed as it was thrown at a group of protesters, and the case is being investigated. “We agree on the need for quick action”, Held.AFP
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