TOPLINE
New York City has imposed a curfew that will run from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on Monday night, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced during a radio interview, in order to curb the violence that has erupted in the city for four nights straight as police clashed with protesters demanding justice for George Floyd, who died in police custody in Minneapolis last week.
New York City police officers block Canal Street as protesters demonstrate over the death of George … [+]
AFP via Getty Images
KEY FACTS
The city will also double the number of police officers on the street from 4,000 to 8,000, NBC New York reported, in order to prevent damage and looting during another night of demonstrations.
The extra officers will be focused on lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn, according to a city press release, because they are “areas where violence and property damage occurred during [Sunday] night’s protests.”
“I stand behind the protestors and their message, but unfortunately there are people who are looking to take advantage of and discredit this moment for their own personal gain,” Governor Cuomo said in a statement.
More protests are planned in New York City for Monday night, and Cuomo stated earlier on Monday that he is prepared to call in the National Guard if necessary.
Cuomo said the curfew will be reassessed on Tuesday.
Key background
The death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25 ignited nationwide protests that are an expression of long-running frustrations over racial injustices and police brutality towards black people. Derek Chauvin, an officer captured in a video kneeling on Floyd’s neck, has been arrested, charged with third-degree murder, and transferred to state prison. Protests in New York City have become increasingly chaotic across Manhattan and Brooklyn, with dozens injured and hundreds arrested.
Further reading
Lawmakers Push Legislation In Response To George Floyd Protests (Forbes)
White House Goes Dark As George Floyd Protests Boil Over (Forbes)
Minneapolis Police Chief Says 3 Officers Are ‘Complicit’ In Floyd’s Death By Staying Silent (Forbes)
Source: Forbes – Money
