New York City issues Monday night curfew amid protests

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) on Monday announced a curfew lasting from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. in New York City following another night of unrest over the death of George Floyd last week.

Cuomo made the announcement on WAMC Radio, later tweeting out a joint statement with Mayor Bill de Blasio (D).

IMPORTANT NEWS:

There will be a citywide curfew in NYC starting at 11pm TONIGHT (6/1), lasting until 5am.

NYC residents — you must stay home after 11 PM! pic.twitter.com/gZXBvPOmOp

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) June 1, 2020

Cuomo said the police presence in the city would be doubled from the previous night, from 4,000 to 8,000.

De Blasio, confirming the curfew on Twitter, said the increased NYPD presence would be in areas that saw property damage the previous night, including parts of lower Manhattan and downtown Brooklyn.

New Yorkers: I’ve spoken with @NYGovCuomo and for everyone’s safety we have decided to implement a citywide curfew in New York City tonight. It will take effect at 11pm and be lifted at 5am tomorrow morning.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 1, 2020

“We support and protect peaceful protest in this city. The demonstrations we’ve seen have been generally peaceful and their message must be heard,” de Blasio tweeted. The mayor was heavily criticized for saying NYPD officers who drove through a crowd in Brooklyn were “trying to deal with an absolutely impossible situation.”

We can’t let violence undermine the message of this moment. The NYPD will increase its presence where we saw violence and property damage last night — specifically in Lower Manhattan and Downtown Brooklyn.

— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) June 1, 2020

“As mayor, this police department is under your leadership,” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) responded Sunday. “This moment demands leadership and accountability from each of us. Defending and making excuses for NYPD running SUVs into crowds was wrong.”