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N.Y.C. Will Have a Curfew, Governor Says: Live Updates N.Y.C. Will Have a Curfew, Governor Says: Live Updates
(32 minutes later)
Monday afternoon, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said a curfew would be adopted in New York City after violence marred protests over the death of George Floyd. The curfew, which Mr. Cuomo announced in a radio interview, will be from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said a citywide curfew would be adopted in New York City on Monday night and police presence would be increased after violence marred protests over the death of George Floyd.
“In New York City, I spoke with the mayor, there’s going to be a curfew in New York City that we think could be helpful,” Mr. Cuomo said. “More importantly, there is going to be an increase in the force.” “I spoke with the mayor, there’s going to be a curfew in New York City that we think could be helpful,” Mr. Cuomo said. “More importantly, there is going to be an increase in the force.”
“There were about 4,000 officers on duty last night. There’ll be double that tonight, about 8,000.” The measures, which Mr. Cuomo announced in a radio interview on Monday afternoon, appears to represent a significantly more forceful approach to unrest than the city has taken in recent history.
Mr. Cuomo said the curfew would be in place for Monday night and that nothing had been decided about Tuesday night. City officials have placed curfews on city parks in the past to address crime, but a citywide curfew has not been implemented at any point in the last several decades, including as part of efforts to keep people off the streets to halt the spread of the coronavirus.
“I stand behind the protesters and their message, but unfortunately there are people who are looking to distract and discredit this moment,” Mr. Cuomo said in a statement. In a statement, Mr. Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio portrayed the curfew as a necessary step to prevent looting and violent confrontations. The two also announced that the New York Police Department would double the number of its officers on the streets.
“The violence and the looting has been bad for the city, the state and this entire national movement, undermining and distracting from this righteous cause. While we encourage people to protest peacefully and make their voices heard, the safety of the general public is paramount and cannot be compromised. Tonight the Mayor and I are implementing a citywide curfew starting at 11 p.m. and doubling the NYPD presence across the city.” “The demonstrations we’ve seen have been generally peaceful,” Mr. de Blasio said in a statement. “We can’t let violence undermine the message of this moment. It is too important and the message must be heard.
“Tonight, I’m saying be smart,” Mr. Cuomo said later in an appearance on MSNBC. “You want to protest, don’t be used in the protest. Don’t be exploited. Don’t make it a mask for criminal activity.” Mr. Cuomo said the curfew would be in place on Monday night, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., and that officials had not decided whether to impose it on the following evenings.
It was not immediately clear how the curfew would be enforced, but Richard Azzopardi, a senior aide for Mr. Cuomo, said violating the curfew was a class B misdemeanor, an offense that can come with up to three months in jail or a $500 fine.
Among those exempt from the curfew are health care workers, those working in essential retail stores like groceries and pharmacies, and the news media. The city’s Department of Homeless Services confirmed that outreach workers and people living unsheltered on the street will be exempt from the curfew.
On Sunday, largely peaceful demonstrations over the death of George Floyd turned into jarring scenes of flaming debris, stampedes and looted storefronts.On Sunday, largely peaceful demonstrations over the death of George Floyd turned into jarring scenes of flaming debris, stampedes and looted storefronts.
As the night wore on, violent confrontations between protesters and police officers erupted throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Protesters threw glass bottles and trash at the police, while large groups of officers charged down streets, pushing crowds of demonstrators aside and using batons as they made arrests.As the night wore on, violent confrontations between protesters and police officers erupted throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn. Protesters threw glass bottles and trash at the police, while large groups of officers charged down streets, pushing crowds of demonstrators aside and using batons as they made arrests.
Numerous marches are planned for Monday, and Mr. Cuomo said he was prepared to call in the National Guard, if the city’s police department becomes overwhelmed by protesters.Numerous marches are planned for Monday, and Mr. Cuomo said he was prepared to call in the National Guard, if the city’s police department becomes overwhelmed by protesters.
“Tonight, I’m saying be smart,” Mr. Cuomo said later in an appearance on MSNBC. “You want to protest, don’t be used in the protest. Don’t be exploited. Don’t make it a mask for criminal activity.”
Both the governor and the mayor condemned the looting, and said it was done by a small number of people. Both warned that the protests could risk spreading the coronavirus and possibly hurt the hard-fought progress made by the city in recent weeks, just as it prepares to reopen.Both the governor and the mayor condemned the looting, and said it was done by a small number of people. Both warned that the protests could risk spreading the coronavirus and possibly hurt the hard-fought progress made by the city in recent weeks, just as it prepares to reopen.
The city has been reeling from days of chaotic confrontations between protesters and the police that have resulted in dozens of injuries, hundreds of arrests, smashed windows and burned police vehicles.The city has been reeling from days of chaotic confrontations between protesters and the police that have resulted in dozens of injuries, hundreds of arrests, smashed windows and burned police vehicles.
The protests have been part of escalating demonstrations across the country that were sparked by a video capturing the final moments of Mr. Floyd, who was black, as a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.The protests have been part of escalating demonstrations across the country that were sparked by a video capturing the final moments of Mr. Floyd, who was black, as a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.
On Sunday night thousands of demonstrators fanned across the city in different groups. One group crossed the Brooklyn Bridge and another briefly shut down the Manhattan Bridge.On Sunday night thousands of demonstrators fanned across the city in different groups. One group crossed the Brooklyn Bridge and another briefly shut down the Manhattan Bridge.
Some groups paused every few blocks to take a knee, while others gathered in Times Square in Manhattan and outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.Some groups paused every few blocks to take a knee, while others gathered in Times Square in Manhattan and outside the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
3 p.m. Times Square.3 p.m. Times Square.
5 p.m. Sheridan Square in the West Village.5 p.m. Sheridan Square in the West Village.
5 p.m. Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn.5 p.m. Fulton Street and Nostrand Avenue in Brooklyn.
6 p.m. Avenue D and East 9th Street in Manhattan.6 p.m. Avenue D and East 9th Street in Manhattan.
6 p.m. Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. (86th Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues)6 p.m. Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. (86th Street between Fourth and Fifth Avenues)
7 p.m. Astoria Park in Queens. Candlelight vigil.7 p.m. Astoria Park in Queens. Candlelight vigil.
7:30 p.m. McCarren Park in Brooklyn.7:30 p.m. McCarren Park in Brooklyn.
10 p.m. Kings Plaza in Mill Basin, Brooklyn.10 p.m. Kings Plaza in Mill Basin, Brooklyn.
Among the hundreds of protesters arrested over the last four days, only one was highlighted by name by a police union known for its hostility toward Mayor Bill de Blasio.Among the hundreds of protesters arrested over the last four days, only one was highlighted by name by a police union known for its hostility toward Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Chiara de Blasio, the mayor’s daughter.Chiara de Blasio, the mayor’s daughter.
The union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, used Twitter to post a police report documenting the arrest on Saturday night of Ms. de Blasio, 25.The union, the Sergeants Benevolent Association, used Twitter to post a police report documenting the arrest on Saturday night of Ms. de Blasio, 25.
The Police Department does not normally release internal police reports, and Ms. de Blasio’s contained personal details, including her height, weight, address, date of birth and driver’s license information. The post was removed for violation of Twitter rules, and the union’s account was suspended Monday morning.The Police Department does not normally release internal police reports, and Ms. de Blasio’s contained personal details, including her height, weight, address, date of birth and driver’s license information. The post was removed for violation of Twitter rules, and the union’s account was suspended Monday morning.
Edward D. Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, said the intent of his post on Twitter was to question the mayor’s strategy toward policing the protests. “Is that why you’re tying our hands, because your daughter is out there?” Mr. Mullins added. “This needs to be looked at.”Edward D. Mullins, the president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, said the intent of his post on Twitter was to question the mayor’s strategy toward policing the protests. “Is that why you’re tying our hands, because your daughter is out there?” Mr. Mullins added. “This needs to be looked at.”
Mr. de Blasio on Monday called the disclosure of his daughter’s information “unconscionable” and that ”it’s happening to people every single day.”Mr. de Blasio on Monday called the disclosure of his daughter’s information “unconscionable” and that ”it’s happening to people every single day.”
Mr. Mullins said he did not leak the report about Ms. de Blasio, but rather, copied a screenshot of the report from a since-deleted post on Twitter by a Daily Mail reporter.Mr. Mullins said he did not leak the report about Ms. de Blasio, but rather, copied a screenshot of the report from a since-deleted post on Twitter by a Daily Mail reporter.
Mr. de Blasio said he learned of his daughter’s arrest from the media.Mr. de Blasio said he learned of his daughter’s arrest from the media.
Mayor Bill de Blasio walked back comments criticizing protesters who were rammed with police vehicles during a protest in Brooklyn on Saturday.
“There is no situation where a police vehicle should drive into a crowd of protesters or New Yorkers,” Mr. de Blasio said during a news conference on Monday.
During his initial remarks, Mr. de Blasio called for an investigation into the incident but also seemed to blame protesters.
“But I also want to emphasize that situation was created by a group of protesters blocking and surrounding a police vehicle, a tactic that we had seen before in the last few days, a tactic that can be very, very dangerous to everyone involved,” the mayor said.
The comment drew widespread rebuke from elected officials and some of the mayor’s closest former aides and advisers.
A police officer who pulled his gun on protesters should have his badge and weapon removed, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday.A police officer who pulled his gun on protesters should have his badge and weapon removed, Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Monday.
A 12 second video of the encounter on social media shows the officer walking toward a crowd of protesters at The Strand book store on Broadway and East 12th Street. The officer pulls his gun from his left hip and points it at protesters gathered in front of the bookstore.A 12 second video of the encounter on social media shows the officer walking toward a crowd of protesters at The Strand book store on Broadway and East 12th Street. The officer pulls his gun from his left hip and points it at protesters gathered in front of the bookstore.
As the officer walks toward the crowd with his weapon drawn, the protesters scream and scatter.As the officer walks toward the crowd with his weapon drawn, the protesters scream and scatter.
The officer then turns with the gun pointed at another group of protesters before a police supervisor approaches him and escorts him away from the scene.The officer then turns with the gun pointed at another group of protesters before a police supervisor approaches him and escorts him away from the scene.
“We have to always know it is not the place for an officer to pull a gun in the middle of a crowd, knowing there are peaceful protesters in that crowd. That is unacceptable, that is dangerous,” Mr. de Blasio said.“We have to always know it is not the place for an officer to pull a gun in the middle of a crowd, knowing there are peaceful protesters in that crowd. That is unacceptable, that is dangerous,” Mr. de Blasio said.
The mayor described the scene as “chaotic” but also noted that the supervisor appeared to intervene. “That officer should have his gun and badge taken away today. There will be an investigation immediately to determine the larger consequence,” the mayor said.The mayor described the scene as “chaotic” but also noted that the supervisor appeared to intervene. “That officer should have his gun and badge taken away today. There will be an investigation immediately to determine the larger consequence,” the mayor said.
Letitia James, the attorney general, requested on Twitter that the video be sent to her.Letitia James, the attorney general, requested on Twitter that the video be sent to her.
An official in the Brooklyn district attorney’s office said on Monday that prosecutors were currently investigating other potential incidents of police brutality that were captured on video in the past few days and circulated widely on the internet.An official in the Brooklyn district attorney’s office said on Monday that prosecutors were currently investigating other potential incidents of police brutality that were captured on video in the past few days and circulated widely on the internet.
While the official declined to say which specific incidents the office was looking into, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing inquires, two in particular have received widespread attention recently: a police S.U.V. that surged into a crowd of protesters on Saturday on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and an officer who violently shoved a demonstrator near Barclays Center on Friday.While the official declined to say which specific incidents the office was looking into, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing inquires, two in particular have received widespread attention recently: a police S.U.V. that surged into a crowd of protesters on Saturday on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn and an officer who violently shoved a demonstrator near Barclays Center on Friday.
Mr. de Blasio walked back his criticism of protesters involved in the S.U.V. incident after strong criticism from other elected officials and his former aides and advisers. “There is no situation where a police vehicle should drive into a crowd of protesters or New Yorkers,” Mr. de Blasio said. Mayor Bill de Blasio walked back comments criticizing protesters who were rammed with police vehicles during a protest in Brooklyn on Saturday.
The mayor said he is considering putting a curfew in place after four nights of protests that have sometimes turned violent and included looting. “There is no situation where a police vehicle should drive into a crowd of protesters or New Yorkers,” Mr. de Blasio said during a news conference on Monday.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said he is considering imposing a curfew. He criticized the “criminality” and looting of some of the protests. During his initial remarks, Mr. de Blasio called for an investigation into the incident but also seemed to blame protesters.
“The people exploiting the circumstances, “ he said. Mr. Cuomo also condemned the videos of potential police misconduct. “But I also want to emphasize that situation was created by a group of protesters blocking and surrounding a police vehicle, a tactic that we had seen before in the last few days, a tactic that can be very, very dangerous to everyone involved,” the mayor said.
“That is apparently egregious conduct and nothing has been done,” he said. The comment drew widespread rebuke from elected officials and some of the mayor’s closest former aides and advisers.
Journalists covering protests in cities throughout the country have reported being assaulted, injured or harassed by police officers.Journalists covering protests in cities throughout the country have reported being assaulted, injured or harassed by police officers.
On Monday a spokesman for the Manhattan district attorney’s office said it was investigating an incident involving a Wall Street Journal reporter who said on Twitter that he was assaulted by members of the New York Police Department.On Monday a spokesman for the Manhattan district attorney’s office said it was investigating an incident involving a Wall Street Journal reporter who said on Twitter that he was assaulted by members of the New York Police Department.
“Our office has prosecuted dozens of uniformed officers for official misconduct and violence since 2010, and this longstanding tradition of independence and accountability will continue in the days and weeks ahead,” Manhattan district attorney Cyrus R. Vance said in a statement on Monday.“Our office has prosecuted dozens of uniformed officers for official misconduct and violence since 2010, and this longstanding tradition of independence and accountability will continue in the days and weeks ahead,” Manhattan district attorney Cyrus R. Vance said in a statement on Monday.
“We are actively monitoring social media and other sources to identify investigative leads into claims of excessive force and we strongly encourage New Yorkers to share them with us.”“We are actively monitoring social media and other sources to identify investigative leads into claims of excessive force and we strongly encourage New Yorkers to share them with us.”
The reporter, Tyler Blint-Welsh, who is black, said on social media that he was covering the ongoing protests in Lower Manhattan. He said he had his police department-issued press badge displayed and his hands up when he was assaulted by officers on Broadway near East 9th Street.The reporter, Tyler Blint-Welsh, who is black, said on social media that he was covering the ongoing protests in Lower Manhattan. He said he had his police department-issued press badge displayed and his hands up when he was assaulted by officers on Broadway near East 9th Street.
The police department and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office did not respond to requests for comment about the incident on Monday.The police department and Mayor Bill de Blasio’s office did not respond to requests for comment about the incident on Monday.
“Lost my glasses and my ankle is in searing pain after the NYPD hit me in the face multiple times with riot shields and pushed me to the ground,” Mr. Blint-Welsh wrote on Twitter in a post that was shared more than 24,000 times.“Lost my glasses and my ankle is in searing pain after the NYPD hit me in the face multiple times with riot shields and pushed me to the ground,” Mr. Blint-Welsh wrote on Twitter in a post that was shared more than 24,000 times.
“I was backing away as request, with my hands up. My NYPD-issued press badge was clearly visible. I’m just sitting here crying. This sucks.”“I was backing away as request, with my hands up. My NYPD-issued press badge was clearly visible. I’m just sitting here crying. This sucks.”
Matt Murray, the editor in chief at The Wall Street Journal said in a memo issued to staffers on Monday that they were infuriated about what happened to Mr. Blint-Welsh and that they were taking the appropriate steps with authorities. Mr. Murray said that Mr. Blint-Welsh had identified himself as a reporter. He suffered an injured ankle and broken glasses. Matt Murray, the editor in chief at The Wall Street Journal said in a memo issued to staffers on Monday that they were infuriated about what happened to Mr. Blint-Welsh and that they were taking the appropriate steps with authorities.
“The incident, sadly, is the latest of many across the country in recent days in which we have seen journalists injured, and in some cases targeted, and a reminder of the dangers we face covering the story,” Mr. Murray wrote.“The incident, sadly, is the latest of many across the country in recent days in which we have seen journalists injured, and in some cases targeted, and a reminder of the dangers we face covering the story,” Mr. Murray wrote.
On Monday, Mr. Blint-Welsh wrote on Twitter that he was home safe, icing his ankle and trying to decompress.On Monday, Mr. Blint-Welsh wrote on Twitter that he was home safe, icing his ankle and trying to decompress.
At midnight on Sunday, small groups of looters seemed to have entire streets in Downtown Manhattan to themselves.At midnight on Sunday, small groups of looters seemed to have entire streets in Downtown Manhattan to themselves.
Much of SoHo, the East Village, and Flatiron neighborhoods in Manhattan was ransacked as people filled garbage bags with shoes, clothes and other goods, and shouted to each other which store would be next.Much of SoHo, the East Village, and Flatiron neighborhoods in Manhattan was ransacked as people filled garbage bags with shoes, clothes and other goods, and shouted to each other which store would be next.
By 1:20 a.m. dozens of young men could be seen strolling around in new tracksuits and other items. Empty hangers paved the roads.By 1:20 a.m. dozens of young men could be seen strolling around in new tracksuits and other items. Empty hangers paved the roads.
The looters appeared to be part of a much larger, peaceful march that had begun earlier in the evening in Brooklyn, and marched peacefully across the Manhattan Bridge, stopping traffic.The looters appeared to be part of a much larger, peaceful march that had begun earlier in the evening in Brooklyn, and marched peacefully across the Manhattan Bridge, stopping traffic.
But the march was fractured on Canal Street around 9 p.m. by police, who began pushing protesters onto side streets. Many demonstrators dispersed, flooding across several blocks in smaller groups. Some of them, mostly on the fringes of larger protest groups, started hurling trash cans into the street and dragging plastic barriers across roads to block police vehicles.But the march was fractured on Canal Street around 9 p.m. by police, who began pushing protesters onto side streets. Many demonstrators dispersed, flooding across several blocks in smaller groups. Some of them, mostly on the fringes of larger protest groups, started hurling trash cans into the street and dragging plastic barriers across roads to block police vehicles.
Not long after, the sounds of shattered glass started echoing in the streets between SoHo and Union Square. One protester whipped around and shouted back at looters, “Don’t loot black-owned business!”Not long after, the sounds of shattered glass started echoing in the streets between SoHo and Union Square. One protester whipped around and shouted back at looters, “Don’t loot black-owned business!”
Both the mayor and the governor voiced strong concerns Monday that the demonstrations could set off a second wave of coronavirus infections.Both the mayor and the governor voiced strong concerns Monday that the demonstrations could set off a second wave of coronavirus infections.
“You turn on the TV, and you see mass gatherings that could potentially be infecting hundreds and hundreds of people after everything we have done,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said.“You turn on the TV, and you see mass gatherings that could potentially be infecting hundreds and hundreds of people after everything we have done,” Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said.
He noted that the state had just reached a big milestone in fighting the virus: Less than 1,000 people tested positive on Sunday, the first day with such a low number since March 16. The daily death toll was 54, down from an April peak of nearly 800 daily fatalities.He noted that the state had just reached a big milestone in fighting the virus: Less than 1,000 people tested positive on Sunday, the first day with such a low number since March 16. The daily death toll was 54, down from an April peak of nearly 800 daily fatalities.
“How many super-spreaders were in that crowd?” Mr. Cuomo asked. “How many young people went home and kissed their mother hello, or shook hands with their father, or hugged their father or their grandfather or their grandmother or their brother or their sister, and spread a virus?”“How many super-spreaders were in that crowd?” Mr. Cuomo asked. “How many young people went home and kissed their mother hello, or shook hands with their father, or hugged their father or their grandfather or their grandmother or their brother or their sister, and spread a virus?”
The convergence of the pandemic and the national demonstrations over police brutality has forced many political leaders to try to strike a difficult balance between expressing support for the right to protest and safeguarding the public health.The convergence of the pandemic and the national demonstrations over police brutality has forced many political leaders to try to strike a difficult balance between expressing support for the right to protest and safeguarding the public health.
“If you say ‘Don’t come out because of the pandemic,’” Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “We don’t want people to hear about this as, ‘We are not hearing your concerns, or your concerns are not valid, or we don’t have to change things.’”“If you say ‘Don’t come out because of the pandemic,’” Mayor Bill de Blasio said, “We don’t want people to hear about this as, ‘We are not hearing your concerns, or your concerns are not valid, or we don’t have to change things.’”
Still, he said, “for those who have made their presence felt, made their voices heard, the safest thing from this point is to stay home.”Still, he said, “for those who have made their presence felt, made their voices heard, the safest thing from this point is to stay home.”
Public health officials urged anyone who does protest to wear face coverings, use hand sanitizer, and maintain social distance. The leader of New York City’s contact-tracing effort said that everyone who attended a protest should get tested for the virus.Public health officials urged anyone who does protest to wear face coverings, use hand sanitizer, and maintain social distance. The leader of New York City’s contact-tracing effort said that everyone who attended a protest should get tested for the virus.
“Protest, just be smart about it,” Mr. Cuomo said. “With this virus you can do many things now as long as you’re smart about it.“Protest, just be smart about it,” Mr. Cuomo said. “With this virus you can do many things now as long as you’re smart about it.
Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. In addition, many demonstrators wore masks, and they appeared in some places to be avoiding clustering too closely.Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. In addition, many demonstrators wore masks, and they appeared in some places to be avoiding clustering too closely.
On Monday morning, the police commissioner, Dermot Shea, made the rounds of the New York morning shows to defend his officers from allegations that they were acting with wanton brutality toward protesters.
Rather, he said, New York City’s police officers were “giving it their all” during “extremely challenging times.”
The commissioner again defended his officers’ decision to plow vehicles into a crowd of protesters, knocking several to the ground.
He called those protesters a “mob” that had surrounded his officers and created a potentially explosive situation.
“They were responding to calls for help from the community, they get boxed in and they get surrounded,” Mr. Shea said, noting that there have been instances of protesters throwing Molotov cocktails at his police force.
However, he did criticize one police officer who was caught on tape opening a car door and slamming it into a passer-by who posed no apparent threat.
“Absolutely, I’m not defending this incident,” Mr. Shea said. “It’s under review.”
Reporting was contributed by Emily Jo Corona, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Emma Goldberg, Colin Moynihan, Nicole Hong, Jeffery C. Mays, Andy Newman, Derek M. Norman, Azi Paybarah, Jan Ransom, Dana Rubinstein, Nate Schweber, Matthew Sedacca, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Ali Watkins and Michael Wilson. Reporting was contributed by Emily Jo Corona, Luis Ferré-Sadurní, Alan Feuer, Michael Gold, Emma Goldberg, Colin Moynihan, Nicole Hong, Jeffery C. Mays, Andy Newman, Derek M. Norman, Azi Paybarah, Jan Ransom, Dana Rubinstein, Nate Schweber, Matthew Sedacca, Ashley Southall, Liam Stack, Nikita Stewart, Ali Watkins and Michael Wilson.