Richmond, VA _ Saying "this is not the Richmond we know", Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has asked Governor Ralph Northam for, and been granted a curfew following two nights of violent protests in the city, sparked by the Minneapolis death of George Floyd. The curfew will begin at 8pm Sunday and run through 6am, and Stoney says "it will be enforced". The only exceptions will be people going to and from work, seeking medical attention, or help from public safety providers.
Stoney says he has also asked Northam for help from the National Guard if needed, and the Governor has agreed, adding "enough is enough, this must stop". Stoney called the setting of fires, damaging of buildings and defacement of property "an insult to the cause" and accused 'bad actors' of "hijacking the cause".
Richmond Police Chief William Smith says four police officers, and some firefighters were injured during overnight protests Saturday, much of which he blames on "organized outside actors" who he says are currently being investigated. One man was critically wounded while riding in a car by a gunshot that came from behind the car. Smith cited incidents in which peaceful protesters have stopped outside agitators from instigating acts of violence.
Smith became emotional when describing an overnight fire in an occupied dwelling in the 300 block of West Broad Street which some protesters initially blocked firefighters from responding to before police intervened. Smith says one of the occupants of the multi-family dwelling was a child, but officers managed to get everyone out safely.
Stoney also reminded residents, and protesters, that the city, state, and country, is still battling a coronavirus outbreak that has taken a disproportionate toll on communities of color that reside in the city.