PORTLAND, Ore. — Following Friday's vigil at Peninsula Park for George Floyd, the black man killed by an on duty Minneapolis police officer who knelt on his throat, events took a turn toward the destructive.
As protesters walked down Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, buildings had graffiti sprayed on them for nearly 20 blocks, according to police.
The group arrived at the Multnomah County Justice Center and broke inside, setting things on fire inside. There was also a car and dumpster fire.
Once downtown, members of the group began to smash windows of businesses like the downtown Target, the Apple Store and Pioneer Square Mall. Protesters smashed the windows of the Chase Bank with e-scooters and set a fire inside of it. However, mom and pop shows like Powells Books remained untouched.
Police announced the demonstration to be a riot, then mayor Ted Wheeler announced a state of emergency before he announced a city wide curfew.
Here are a few FAQ about the curfew:
Does the curfew apply throughout the entire City of Portland?
Yes. All parts of the City are important and valued, and the safety of the whole City should be protected to the same degree by the curfew.
When does the curfew apply?
The curfew applies from 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30th to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 31st.
Will there be additional curfews on other days?
Depending on how events unfold, there may be additional curfews announced. The safety of our community is the highest priority for the City.
How will the curfew be enforced?
The City asks all Portlanders to voluntarily adhere to the curfew to help protect the safety of our community. The curfew is a tool to address the kind of behavior that caused fires, property damage, and personal injury in the City on Friday night, and not to intrude into people's lives.
I'm scheduled to work during the curfew. Can I still travel to go to work? Can my employees still report to work during the curfew?
Yes, people are allowed to travel to and from work during the curfew.
Are businesses required to close during the curfew?
The curfew does not require businesses to close, but it does mean that the public should not be travelling to and from businesses like restaurants or retailers during the curfew, so some business may choose to close during these hours.
I use public transportation, or a ride-hailing app, for transportation. Am I allowed to use those during the curfew?
Yes, you can use public transportation like TriMet, or a ride-hailing app like Lyft or Uber, to travel for any purpose allowed under the curfew. These methods of transportation will continue to operate unless circumstances require them to be closed to protect public health and safety.
What if I need to go to the hospital during the curfew?
People are allowed to seek emergency medical care during the curfew.
My situation at home is not safe, and I may need to leave. Can I leave during the curfew to avoid an unsafe living situation?
Yes, the curfew allows people to leave unsafe circumstances, which would include domestic violence, fire, criminal conduct, or any other unsafe circumstance.
I am experiencing homelessness and don't have a place to go inside. How does the curfew apply to me?
The curfew does not apply to those experiencing homelessness since they do not have another place to go. The City asks those experiencing homelessness to help protect the safety of the community by voluntarily restricting their travel in public places during the curfew.
Are there other exemptions from the curfew?
The curfew also does not apply to law enforcement, fire fighters, medical personnel, or members of the news media.
How is the City's curfew different from the Governor's Stay Home, Stay Safe order?
The City's curfew is aimed at protecting public safety and reducing property damage and personal injury during a civil disturbance, while the Governor's Stay Home, Stay Safe order is aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus. However, under both the curfew and Stay Home order, Portlanders should be remaining at home whenever possible, and the curfew only applies during the limited hours from 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30th to 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 31st, unless extended.
What are the penalties for violating the curfew?
Violation of the curfew is subject to a fine of not more than $500.00 and to potential violation of local, state, and federal law.
A spokesperson for the mayor said in an email, "The City is not interested in citing people who are going about their business, causing no harm, and uninvolved in criminal conduct."