Peaceful Protesting, Increased Policing Reported In Malibu

MALIBU, CA — Malibu may not have witnessed anything close to what Fairfax, Beverly Hills, or Santa Monica saw Saturday and Sunday, but it remains on high alert.

The city did not experience any unrest over the weekend, according to a news release. But after widespread unrest and social media threats of looting —deemed Monday not to be credible by the Lost Hills-Malibu Sheriff’s Station — the Lost-Hills Malibu Sheriff’s Station staged 50 extra deputies on Saturday, according to the Malibu Surfside News.

“The City and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will not tolerate looting or violence and the City is in close coordination with the Sheriff's Department and LA County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl's office on any potential response in Malibu,” the news release stated.

On Sunday, Mayor Pro Tem Mikke Pierson uploaded a video to the city’s YouTube channel where he reiterated that Malibu is ramping up security efforts.

“The city of Malibu supports peaceful First Amendment protests to express outrage over the social injustice that the nation has recently witnessed,” he said, referring to the killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police that triggered mass protests around the country. “But we are also keeping a close eye on violence in nearby cities … the Sheriff’s Department is on tactical alert, and will respond to protect life and property in Malibu. … We know this is a scary time for many of us and we pray for peace.”

On Saturday at 10 a.m., a peaceful protest took place on Pacific Coast Highway and Webb Way, according to the Malibu Surfside News. The protest was organized by Claire Anneet, a 2019 Malibu High School graduate and current Sarah Lawrence College student home because of coronavirus.

“I organized this peaceful protest because I wanted to give a space where citizens can show support and show that we don’t stand for racism,” Anneet told the Surfside News.

The Surfside News reported that many cars passing by honked and gave thumbs up signs to the protesters.

As part of Los Angeles County, Malibu will observe its third consecutive curfew from Monday at 6 p.m. to Tuesday at 6 a.m.