Mayor orders 2nd night of curfew for Milwaukee; 60+ arrests in 48 hours, 20+ businesses damaged

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Sunday, May 31 announced the extension of Milwaukee's curfew for a second night amid ongoing protests over the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.

The curfew runs from 9 p.m. Sunday, May 31 through 7 a.m. Monday, June 1.

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Saturday called on the Wisconsin National Guard to help support law enforcement in Milwaukee following protests over the deaths of Floyd and Joel Acevedo, who died in April after an altercation with a Milwaukee police officer, that turned violent Friday night.

Evers said in a press release that he authorized 125 Guard members to assist after receiving a request from Milwaukee city and county officials worried about a repeat of the demonstration over Floyd and Acevedo.

More than a dozen businesses were damaged and about 50 people were arrested Friday night into Saturday, Milwaukee Police Chief Alfonso Morales said in a statement.

Amid the curfew, while Saturday was a calmer night than Friday, there were a few break-ins and other issues amid the ongoing protests.

Chief Morales noted two incidents occurring here -- peaceful protesting that goes on throughout the day as part of our First Amendment right, and the criminals who decide to riot and loot at night.

He noted several reports of shots fired Saturday into Sunday, reckless driving and the tearing up of stores. He said officers were pelted with glass and rocks, and one was shot and wounded on Saturday morning.

Later Sunday, marching to MPD headquarters, a group of protesters stood face-to-face with officers clad in riot gear -- voicing their growing frustrations in the wake of Floyd's death -- taking a moment to lie face down, hands behind their backs.

"I know this is a frustrating time for millions of people in this country,  and there is still the anger, the justifiable anger," said Mayor Barrett Sunday afternoon.

Chief Morales said the vast majority of protesters are exercising their rights in a peaceful manner, but pointed his remarks Sunday at those who, he said, are not -- looting and vandalizing more than 20 businesses Saturday night. The police chief said the businesses being targeted are already struggling amid the coronavirus pandemic, and are businesses community members rely on that are owned by community members.

"During the last 48 hours, more than 60 arrests have been made," said Chief Morales. "The reckless, destructive behavior, criminal behavior HAS to end."

Morales said of the dozens arrested, only three were from outside the City of Milwaukee.

"You do not gain anything by tearing up our community," said Chief Morales. "No one wins."

A pair of protesters said they're not here to pull the community apart, but to bring the community together -- handing out water and hand sanitizer -- lifting spirits along the way.

"We are not here fro blood," said Elijah. "We are here to send a message."

"People of all colors are doing it, too, so that's the most beautiful thing about it, absolutely," said a protester.

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The City of Milwaukee's fine for violating curfew is $691.

The curfew will also continue in Wauwatosa Sunday night into Monday morning. The fee is the same as in Milwaukee. Wauwatosa police said three people were fined Saturday night into Sunday.



The City of Glendale's curfew was already set to run through Monday morning.



Kenosha County sheriff's officials on Sunday declared curfew effective at 8:30 p.m. Sunday -- indicating "the public needs to be off the streets for their safety." The sheriff's departmetn will be enforcing the curfew.

Statement from Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul Sunday:

Statement from the Milwaukee Bucks and Fiserv Forum Sunday:

Statement from Milwaukee Public Schools Superintendent Keith Posley Sunday: