'Honor Democracy' In PA Demonstrations, Gov. Wolf Urges

PENNSYLVANIA — A somber Gov. Wolf urged protesters around Pennsylvania to convey their message peacefully as demonstrations geared up Sunday for the second consecutive day. The statement came a day after peaceful protests in the greater Philadelphia area, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and elsewhere devolved into chaotic looting and riots.

In a press conference Sunday afternoon, Wolf condemned the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis and encouraged protesters to exercise their rights without violence.

"To the folks out there demonstrating, do it in a way that honors democracy," he said. "Do it in a way honors its potential. Speak your mind, and speak it with peace."

>>Philly Area Protests: Disaster Emergency Declared, Hundreds Arrested

As he spoke Sunday, demonstrators had already gathered in parts of Philadelphia, with police reporting several more officers injured during skirmishes with groups in the Kensington section. Demonstrations are planned around the state again Sunday.

"I want to make an appeal. I'd like to appeal to the spirit of Pennsylvania in each of us," Wolf said, calling for peace while reinforcing the importance of protests, which "remind us we have a lot to do...At its best our democracy is one that celebrates the rights of citizens to express themselves in demonstrations such as these."

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney expressed similar sentiments.

"The destruction we saw last night in Center City saddened and disappointed me beyond words," Kenney said Sunday. "Those vandals in Center City did a great disservice to the many others who chose to speak out forcefully against institutional racism and violence at the hands of police. In looting downtown, these individuals not only desecrated private businesses, they also desecrated the important message that was heard in the earlier, peaceful protests."

In response to Saturday's destruction and possible further activity Sunday, the city has closed all streets in Center City from Vine Street to South Street, and from the Delaware River to the Schuylkill River.

A mandatory curfew is again in effect in the city at 8 p.m. Sunday through 6 a.m. Monday.

Gov. Wolf signed a disaster emergency declaration on Saturday so the state could provide assistance to impacted municipalities. The Commonwealth Response Coordination Center at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency was also activitated, allocating resources to help