Keansburg Implements 8 P.M. Curfew Ahead Of Protest Tuesday

KEANSBURG, NJ — In anticipation of Tuesday's protest march in Keansburg to protest police brutality, the town of Keansburg implemented a curfew of 8 p.m.

The curfew was declared by Keansburg Mayor James Cocuzza, Sr. and OEM Director Raymond O’Hare.

Protesters marching for justice for George Floyd say they will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday on the Keansburg baywalk across from La Playa Mexican restaurant.

In the hours before the expected gathering, Keansburg town officials said Tuesday afternoon "the Borough of Keansburg, its Mayor and Council and the Keansburg Police Department stand in full solidarity with the Keansburg community in promotion of a peaceful demonstration ... peaceful assemblies are the lifeblood of our democracy based on the Constitutional rights guaranteed to all citizens of the United States of America. And in the past week, individuals have engaged in legal and peaceful protests throughout the nation."

However — "during the same time frame, certain individuals have engaged in behavior that has endangered the health and safety of residents of their respective cities; and the civil disturbances have continued and grown nationally and in the state of New Jersey, endangering lives and property," read the ordinance.

As Patch reported, a protest in Asbury Park Monday night started out peacefully, but ended with clashes with police and the police arresting an Asbury Park Press reporter (the charges were later dropped). The event was civil until the last hour, when there were several clashes with police. Asbury Park police even took a knee on several occasions to oblige the protesters demands.

"During the hours of curfew, all persons are prohibited from using, standing, sitting, travelling or being present on any public street or in any public place, including for the purpose of travel," according to town code. Police, fire and emergency personnel are exempt, as are people going to and from work, obtaining food or getting medical care.

There will also be a protest at Lombardi Field in Old Bridge at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 4; that one is organized by a group of local African-American high school students.

There is also a protest planned in Carteret Thursday; they are meeting at 2 p.m. at Carteret Middle School. Carteret Mayor Dan Reiman is calling for the protest to remain peaceful.