Solano County Issues Curfew Amid Unrest, Protests

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — Authorities Tuesday afternoon declared a local emergency in Solano County and issued a countywide curfew starting Tuesday night amid widespread protests against police violence that have escalated in some cases into violence and looting.

The curfew, in effect from 8 p.m. Tuesday through 5 a.m. Wednesday, will remain in place Wednesday night through Thursday morning or until the emergency declaration is extended or rescinded, according to the Solano County Sheriff's office, who issued the order along with local law enforcement agencies.

The order does not apply to people traveling to and from work, emergency workers and military personnel, members of the media, "essential workers" under the county's health order, people who are homeless and people seeking medical attention.

The nation has been swept in recent days by protests over the police killing of George Floyd, who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes while Floyd, 46, begged for air.

While most protests have begun peacefully, some have been followed by looting, including ransacked businesses in Vallejo and in Fairfield. Meanwhile, some protesters nationwide have complained of excessive force by police.

"This order is meant to protect protesters right to free speech and peaceful assembly," Solano County Sheriff Thomas A. Ferrara said in a statement Tuesday. "However, peaceful protests have been disrupted by violence and civil unrest that will not be tolerated. It is my belief that such conditions pose extreme risk to the safety of persons and property."

Those who violate the curfew are subject to arrest or citation and could be charged with a misdemeanor, the sheriff's office said.