NY night-time curfew extended to June 7 after looting
New York’s mayor Bill de Blasio on Tuesday extended a night-time curfew for the location until June 7 following outbreaks of violence and looting during anti-racism protests gripping America.
The mayor added that the deployment of National Guard soldiers, observed in other protest-hit states and demanded by President Donald Trump, had not been necessary however.
De Blasio told reporters a 8:00 pm to 5:00 am curfew, due to enter into force Tuesday, would now run until Sunday.
It comes after a curfew on Monday that began at the later time of 11:00 pm didn't deter rioters from looting numerous luxury stores across Manhattan.
Broken glass and boarded up shops were seen across Midtown early Tuesday after a night of carnage.
The famous Macy’s department store, Michael Kors on Fifth Avenue, along with Nike, Lego and electronics shops were among upmarket shops to be looted.
Trump, whose New York home is nearby the stores, took to Twitter twice on Tuesday morning to demand that local leaders “act fast” and call up the National Guard.
Several US cities have deployed the guard when confronted with angry protests against police brutality following killing of unarmed black man George Floyd by police during an arrest in Minneapolis last week.
But De Blasio said the brand new York Police Department’s 36,000 officers could handle the unrest.
“We will take steps immediately to be sure you will have peace and order,” said a visibly angry mayor, as he announced the lengthened curfew.
De Blasio added it had been not “wise” to generate the National Guard.
But NY Governor Andrew Cuomo said the guard stood ready if requested, adding that the NYPD and de Blasio “did not do their job” in failing woefully to stop the looting.
He described the violence as “a disgrace” and “inexcusable.”
New York’s curfew will end just as the location prepares to start reopening its shattered economy on Monday following a lot more than 8 weeks of lockdown because of the coronavirus outbreak.
