The Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina, has issued a curfew starting Saturday at 11:00 p.m.
Mary-Ann Baldwin announced the decision Saturday morning to impose a curfew that will last until 5:00 a.m. Sunday morning. The curfew comes in light to keep calm in the city as planned protesters take the streets in response to the grand jury’s decision not to charge the officers involved in the death of 26-year-old Breonna Taylor.
At least one of the officers was charged in the case, but neither of the three officers faces charges for Taylor’s murder.
The decision is among the most difficult I have had to make as Mayor, said Baldwin. My goal is to create space for those who want to exercise their constitutional right of freedom of speech and assembly, while still ensuring that the residents and businesses of our community remain safe and unharmed, Baldwin said in a statement.
Baldwin said she pushed the curfew time to 11:00 p.m. to allow ample time for peaceful protest and still maintain a safe environment for all involved.
An afternoon demonstration is set for 3:00 p.m. at the Wake County Courthouse’s steps and will last until 5:00 p.m. Later Saturday night, another protest is set for 7:00 p.m. at Nash Square.
