Curfews are in place in the Twin Cities of Minnesota and surrounding suburbs following two nights of civil unrest.
Authorities imposed overnight curfews to prevent any further violence following the consecutive protests over the death of Daunte Wright.
The 20-year-old African American was killed by police Sunday in Brooklyn Center. On Monday, hundreds of people attended a peaceful vigil near the area where Wright was shot. The gathering turned violent after police arrived to scatter the crowd violating local social distancing rules.
City officials said that a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew will be imposed in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Brooklyn Center, Fridley, Robbinsdale, Columbia Heights, Maple Grove, Crystal and New Hope. The curfew will go into effect Wednesday.
Some areas will have a curfew that begins earlier than 10 p.m. In Brooklyn Park, the curfew will begin at 8 p.m., while curfews will begin at 7 p.m. in Champlin.
Authorities said exemptions will be made for voters and election workers taking part in the city's mayoral primary. First responders, religious services, the media, and people seeking medical care will be exempted from the curfew.
A group of local organizations tasked with deescalating tensions has also been exempted from the curfew. This includes community organizations such as Change Equals Opportunity, We Push for Peace, A Mother's Love, Center for Multicultural Mediate, and the Native American Community Institute.
City officials said the curfews are necessary to diffuse tensions in the Twin Cities. Minnesota State Patrol Col. Matt Lange said they had received reports of looting and gunshots in Minneapolis Wednesday. Lange said a number of law enforcement officers have suffered injuries since the protests started earlier in the week.
Officers reportedly had to contend with violent protesters and some were forced to resort to using rubber bullets, tear gas, and flash grenades to disperse rowdy crowds. Lange said they had not received any reports of protesters being injured so far.
Since Monday, law enforcement from the Minnesota State Patrol, Minneapolis police, and Hennepin County Sheriff's Office had arrested a combined 34 people.
