Fredericksburg's Citywide Curfew Extended Through June 8

Press release from the City of Fredericksburg:

Updated Wednesday, June 3

State of emergency and citywide curfew through June 8

A state of emergency has been declared within the City of Fredericksburg and the curfew has been extended. No person is authorized to be in public between the hours of 8:30 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. now through Monday, June 8, 2020.

The City of Fredericksburg curfew has been extended as a temporary measure meant to protect the health and safety of people and property in the City of Fredericksburg. We have credible threats of violent or unlawful actions by groups or individuals. The City implores our residents to peacefully protest, but then to clear the streets by 8:30pm each evening through Sunday night. Together we can all work to protect our community.

The Fredericksburg Police Department will be enforcing the curfew every night promptly at 8:30 p.m. If a person violates the curfew, they will receive a summons upon their first violation and be released. If they violate the curfew a second time, they will be taken into police custody.

Peaceful protests exercising First Amendment rights that plan to lawfully assemble are encouraged to apply for an event permit as provided in City Code 66-68. Information and application is here.

Certain exceptions to the extended curfew exist, include traveling to and from work and medical emergencies:

• Persons traveling to and from home, work or places of worship
• Hospital personnel
• Members of the press
• State and City of Fredericksburg employees and volunteers
• Military personnel including but not limited to national guard troops
• Private emergency medical transport workers
• Persons seeking emergency services
• Other emergency workers

Please read the Amended Emergency Order here.

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Updated May 31:

City Manager Tim Baroody has declared a Declaration of Local Emergency #2 and curfew for the City of Fredericksburg beginning tonight at 11:30 p.m. and extending through 6:00 a.m. tomorrow (June 1, 2020).

News Release: Fredericksburg Police Declare Unlawful Assembly to Several Groups Across the City

Earlier this evening (May 31, 2020), approximately 250 to 300 people gathered in Market Square in downtown Fredericksburg for a protest. The protest then moved to Princess Anne Street where participants blocked both lanes of traffic and traveled on foot in the direction of Route 1. It is reported protesters struck and pounded on parked vehicles as they walked on Princess Anne Street. When the protesters arrived at Route 1, they blocked northbound and southbound lanes kneeling on one knee and then walked southbound towards Cowan Boulevard. During the protesters’ 30-minute movement from Princess Anne Street to Cowan Boulevard, Fredericksburg Police Officers were present and declared an unlawful assembly. Officers continued to ask protesters to leave the area which they ignored. At approximately 8:34 p.m., when the protesters arrived at the intersection of Route One and Cowan Boulevard, they made a straight line for Police Headquarters at which time officers deployed gas.

As of 10:30 p.m. this evening, police are addressing several groups of disruptive protesters in the downtown district. Some of the groups are throwing rocks at officers. Officers continue to declare an unlawful assembly to each group they encounter and continue to request they leave the area. Fredericksburg Police ask that residents of the downtown district shelter in place until further notice.

No injuries have been reported and no arrests have been made.

The Fredericksburg Police Department will remain on heavy patrol the remainder of the night.

Fredericksburg Police would like to thank the Fredericksburg Sheriff’s Office, the University of Mary Washington Police Department, the Spotsylvania Sheriff’s Office, the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, and the Virginia State Police for sending law enforcement to assist.

Market Square is located at 907 Princess Anne Street.

Fredericksburg Police is located at 2200 Cowan Boulevard.

This press release was produced by the City of Fredericksburg. The views expressed here are the author’s own.