VA State Of Emergency Declared After Escalating Violence: Northam

RICHMOND, VA — After peaceful protests against police brutality in several Virginia communities devolved Saturday night into physical confrontations between police and demonstrators, Gov. Ralph Northam has declared a state of emergency for the entire state. The governor also granted a request from Mayor Levar Stoney to extend a curfew in the city of Richmond.

“This emergency declaration will provide the necessary support to localities as they work to keep our communities safe," Northam said in a statement. “There are many voices speaking out for justice and healing across the United States and in our Commonwealth, but others are exploiting this pain and inciting violence.”

A state of emergency allows the Commonwealth to mobilize resources, including the Virginia National Guard, and pre-position people and equipment to assist localities in their efforts to de-escalate violent protests and protect public safety.

Related: Truck Speeds Through Minneapolis Protesters; Unrest Elsewhere

Protests in Richmond, the Massassas area and Fredericksburg Saturday night all were marred by vandalism or violence.

A Manassas-area demonstration against the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis began peacefully Saturday with people carrying signs at Sudley Road and Sudley Manor Drive. Later in the evening, though, some people threw objects at police and police fired pepper spray and deployed flash bangs at protesters.

Some protesters were observed standing on top of vehicles that were stopped as a result of the protest and atop businesses in the area, the Prince William County police said Sunday. Four Prince William County police officers were injured, one suffering a head injury requiring treatment at an area hospital, the police said. Five arrests were made during the protest.

Two small fires were set at the Fallen Officer Memorial and outside the front entrance to the Fredericksburg Police Department headquarters early Sunday morning, according to the police department. The Fredericksburg Fire Department was able to put out the small fires. No injuries resulted from the flames.

And in Richmond, rioters blocked a fire truck from responding to a burning home early Sunday morning in Richmond, Richmond Police Chief Will Smith told WTVR.

Smith said the a man was shot by another protester, while several people were injured by thrown bottles, rocks and bricks.

Northam's emergencey declaration allocates $350,000 for state and local governments and state response and recovery operations authorized and coordinated through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

The order extends a curfew in the City of Richmond from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. from Sunday, May 31, through Wednesday, June. While the curfew is in effect, people must remain in their homes and may only leave to seek emergency services or travel to and from home, work, or places of worship.