Protests, Looting Continue For Second Day In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — A second night of protests led to looting and violence in San Diego County.

San Diego police on Sunday night declared a downtown vigil in honor of George Floyd an "unlawful assembly" due to "acts of violence and vandalism" and told protesters to leave the area of Broadway and Pacific Highway. The crowd took off running after authorities deployed tear gas.

After nightfall, officers and vehicles near Union and A streets were assaulted with rocks, according to the department. Rocks were thrown at officers and vandalism was reported near C Street and State as well as at Kettner Boulevard and West Broadway. People broke into businesses and looted downtown stores.

Also see: Curfews Issued For Some Cities, Unincorporated Areas In San Diego County

San Diego County officially declared a state of emergency Sunday in reaction to police protests nationwide, while curfew orders were issued for the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee and Poway as well as some unincorporated areas of the county.

"The sheriff's department and all law enforcement agencies in San Diego County stand united in supporting the public's right to express their anger and frustration over the death of Mr. George Floyd through peaceful protests," the department said in a statement. "However, when those demonstrations turn violent and threaten life and property, law enforcement must act to restore safety in our communities."

Also see: La Mesa Cleans Up After Night Of Protests, Arson And Looting

Jeff Collins, a county spokesman, said the state of emergency was declared in part so the San Diego County Sheriff's Department could impose a curfew for unincorporated areas. He said it would also allow the county to seek federal reimbursement if needed.

After a day of protests, including a vigil in front of a county administration building, downtown San Diego "seems to be peaceful at this time," he said.

Earlier in the day, San Diego police used tear gas and flash-bang grenades against protesters and issued an unlawful assembly order in the downtown area of Broadway due to escalating violence. Police made a number of arrests in the wake of the violence against officers, who were hit with rocks and water bottles.

The mostly peaceful march through downtown and onto a portion of Interstate 5 led to the Hall of Justice.

Earlier on Sunday, several hundred protesters marched onto southbound I-5 after walking through downtown streets. The California Highway Patrol stopped traffic on both the northbound and southbound I-5 downtown.

Additional demonstrations and protests were held Sunday across the county, including in Barrio Logan, Encinitas, Poway and Santee.

Floyd died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee on his neck during an arrest on Memorial Day. His death has sparked demonstrations and protests across the country.

Patch editor Kristina Houck and City News Service contributed to this report.