Raleigh Mayor Sets Curfew Ahead Of Anticipated Weekend Protests

RALEIGH, NC — In anticipation of protests spurred by the police shooting of Jacob Blake, the City of Raleigh will have a citywide curfew this weekend, the mayor announced Thursday.

Blake was shot seven times in the back by police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin Aug. 23.

"By setting a curfew, it is my hope that we can allow those assembled the opportunity to exercise their right to free speech in a peaceful way, without violence or destruction from opportunists who don’t share the goals of peaceful protesters," Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said in a statement. "We want to create a safe space for all who want to come together while maintaining a sense of civility and accountability."

The citywide curfew will be in effect Friday and Saturday night, from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m., she said.

The decision to enact a curfew is in response to a flare up of intense protests in the city following the death of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in late May.

"Were we unprepared? Yes. That's why we're determined to be prepared this time," Baldwin said.

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