Santa Monica Extends Citywide Curfew For Sunday

SANTA MONICA, CA — A curfew was updated and extended Sunday to 4 p.m. in Santa Monica, city officials announced as protests continued in the city in response to George Floyd's arrest and killing in Minneapolis.

Police were responding to looting in downtown Santa Monica Sunday.

The city had initially planned for a curfew at 8 p.m., but that changed after stores were looted. The 4 p.m. curfew will be extended until Monday, June 1 at 5:30 a.m.. according to the city.

"Emergency responders are exempt, as are those traveling to and from work or seeking or giving emergency care," according to a city news release. "The City of Santa Monica values peaceful protest as vital to our democracy. "

A peaceful protest started in Santa Monica near Palisades Park Sunday with hundreds marching for peace in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

"As of 1:25 p.m., a peaceful protest is underway along Ocean Avenue between Montana and Colorado," the city announced. "The Santa Monica Police Department is on site and has a presence throughout the community. The public’s safety is our top priority and we ask the community to avoid Ocean Avenue at this time. "

Santa Monica and nearby Los Angeles residents were on curfew Saturday night. In Santa Monica, the curfew was in effect from 8 p.m. Saturday to 5:30 a.m. Sunday.

Officials reported a quiet Saturday night amid a city curfew put in place after violent protests broke out over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Monday.

"Our community remained largely peaceful and safe throughout the evening," a city statement said early Sunday. "With the initiation of the curfew last night, our Santa Monica Police Department was present across all areas of our city. The Department responded immediately to one commercial burglary and to one broken window at a business. No arrests were made for violations of the curfew order."

Officials said the Santa Monica Police Department also provided mutual aid in Beverly Hills and Culver City. Two Santa Monica Police vehicles were vandalized, but no officers were hurt

"Today, you may see some businesses, including the mall, fortify their storefronts to avoid possible damage," said Lane Dilg, Santa Monica's interim city manager. "We will continue to monitor the situation through active deployment of the Santa Monica Police Department, as well as ongoing consultation with our community and regional law enforcement partners. We ask that our community remain calm and safe, and that your freedom of expression remain peaceful."

Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus Route 8 is on a detour. For BBB service alerts and updates, visit bigbluebus.com.

The City of Santa Monica will join our neighboring cities in extending our curfew to tonight, May 31, 2020 at 8 p.m. through tomorrow, Monday, June 1 at 5:30 a.m. More info: https://t.co/Gmf1X2Bn4b pic.twitter.com/iN8hkdgRZB
— City of Santa Monica (@santamonicacity) May 31, 2020

SMPD respects and upholds the right to protest peacefully as afforded by the 1st Amendment. We stand with you. https://t.co/NsUqZ9Nw2j
— Santa Monica Police (@SantaMonicaPD) May 31, 2020

- City News Service and Patch Staffer Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

See more:

• Photos: George Floyd Protests Continue In Santa Monica
• Target Closes 46 Calif. Stores As Protests Break Out Nationwide
• Photos: Surfers Paddle Out To Honor George Floyd