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Fourth night of protests amid curfew in Milwaukee
Fourth night of protests amid curfew in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett on Monday, June 1 announced the extension of Milwaukee's curfew for a third night amid ongoing protests over the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day.
The curfew runs from 9 p.m. Monday, June 1 through 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 2.
Similar curfews were issued for Kenosha County, the City of Kenosha, Shorewood, and Wauwatosa.
The Kenosha County curfew runs from 8 p.m. Monday through 7 a.m. Tuesday. Sheriff's officials said, "The public needs to be off the streets for their safety," and deputies will enforce this curfew.
In Wauwatosa, the curfew takes effect at 9 p.m. Monday and ends at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Wauwatosa police said, "It is very important to note that the City of Wauwatosa welcomes peaceful protests in our community. We must balance this with our charge to ensure that our community, lives, and property are protected. Over the past few nights, we have experienced multiple incidents of large numbers of vehicles driving recklessly throughout the city and endangering the safety of the public in the late evening hours. Please stay home during curfew."
In Shorewood, the curfew starts at 9 p.m. Monday and expires at 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Officials said, "Based on (Sunday) night's events and information provided to the village, there is a chance for more protests to occur in Shorewood and anticipate for them to be peaceful. The curfew is needed to help protect community members from potential civil unrest events and serves as a precautionary measure."
Milwaukee police said Monday there were 109 arrests over two nights for curfew violations. At least five were not from Milwaukee. Chief Morales said 24 stores were burglarized and 11 damaged Sunday into Monday -- describing the violence as "absolute chaos."
Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing noted people throwing items at first responders.
Sheriff Earnell Lucas said law enforcement worked the past 72 hours tirelessly to keep Milwaukee County safe, and asked the community to "show some restraint, and show some calm, and show some dignity."
Mayor Barrett noted the city saw three days of peaceful protests, and, "It's important in America people have their voices heard." The mayor said, "I understand the anger we are seeing not only in this community, but communities across this nation," and added that he was appalled by the video of George Floyd's death.
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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 Sunday 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.
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 on Sunday. "The reckless, destructive behavior, criminal behavior HAS to end."
Morales said of the dozens arrested, only three were from outside the City of Milwaukee.