Mayor Jim Strickland issued a citywide curfew just a day after rioters clashed with police in downtown Memphis.
The curfew starts tonight at 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Tuesday. The curfew will last “as long as necessary,” Strickland said during a press conference.“If you’re out during those hours you can be arrested with the exception of essential workers and those experiencing a medical emergency,” the mayor said.
The mayor said the curfew could remain in effect in the coming days and would remain as long as necessary.
The curfew declaration came hours after KWAM radio host Robyn Walensky called out the mayor for his silence over the weekend violence. Click here to listen.
He said there are two groups of protesters – peaceful protesters and non-peaceful.“The second group wants destruction and chaos regardless of the cost or who they may hurt,” Strickland said. “We cannot let the second group steal the message to end systematic racism.”
Memphis Police Director Mike Rallings said he respects the right to protest, but that’s not what happened Sunday night.
At least 44 people were arrested.“What started as a peaceful protest accelerated quickly into a form of riot behavior. Participants refused to disperse from blocking roadways, they threw rocks and bottles at officers, attempted to shut down our interstate system, and they vandalized and looted businesses,” he said.
Ralling said vandalism and violence against police officers will not be tolerated.
