JACKSONVILLE PROTESTS: Mayor Lenny Curry enforces city-wide curfew amid protests

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Protesters and police are downtown as protests related to George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and other victims of racial injustice continue.

We are providing live updates from the scene.

9:15 p.m.: Mayor Lenny Curry provided more insight on how he came to the decision to enact a citywide curfew.

8 p.m.: The protesters at Klutho Park left the area ahead of the curfew enactment and no arrests were made.

7:32 p.m.: Protesters are seen across from Klutho Park, which the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office closed to the public.

7:25 p.m.: The City of Jacksonville will be closing COVID-19 testing sites at Lot J and Legends Center for safety.

6:46 p.m.:

6:31 p.m.: The City of Jacksonville releases information on the city-wide curfew implemented starting at 8 p.m. Sunday night.

READ: City of Jacksonville under curfew from 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday

• People allowed to travel during curfew: First responders, medical personnel, credentialed media, people traveling to or from work, people traveling to or from treatments for medical conditions or receiving medical care, people fleeing danger, people travelling through the city or returning from out of town and people experiencing homelessness.
• All pedestrian and vehicular movement that does not fall under the allowed conditions is prohibited, including standing and parking in public spaces.

6:20 p.m.: The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office closed Henry J. Kutho Park. Action News Jax reporter Brigette Matter saw protesters near the park.

5:55 p.m.: Due to criminal activity that threatens first responders, other people and private property, Mayor Lenny Curry and Sheriff Mike Williams have implemented an 8 p.m. curfew that will continue until 6 a.m.

According to Curry, if people are found on the streets after 8 p.m. they could be subject to arrest. No one may travel unless they are members of the media, first responders and people going to or from work.

“Sheriff Williams and I did not wish to implement such a policy but we simply will not tolerate criminals who threaten men and women in law enforcement and the private property of law-abiding citizens,” Curry said on Twitter.

5:53 p.m.: Police are seen making multiple arrests. Crowds scatter as more police begin to move in.

5:39 p.m.: JSO and State Troopers can be seen in riot gear as crowds begin to build downtown.

5:31 p.m.: Protesters marched their way back to the Duval County Courthouse.

5:09 p.m.: Police officers are seen putting on gas masks as protestors move west in downtown.

5:02 p.m.: Due to damages at the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the president Mari Kuraishi released a statement:

“There are many–too many–understandable reasons today for why people are turning out in their solidarity and determination to be heard. Yesterday’s protest began peacefully, with people from all backgrounds coming together to seek a better community for all, but the event sadly turned into chaos inflicting harm on people and damaging our building, the Jessie. While glass can be repaired; people's lives cannot.

The Jessie is home to many of Jacksonville’s leading non-profit organizations, who are working to provide relief to people in the midst of the pandemic and resulting economic shock. These non-profits work daily to redress the structural inequities that exist for the constituents they serve. Let us stand together, channeling our solidarity and energy with those amongst us who experience racism and injustice. Let us direct our focus toward making real, positive and essential change.”

—  Mari Kurashi, President

4:58 p.m.: Protesters moved from the courthouse again and marched through the streets of Downtown Jacksonville.

Action News Jax reporter Jamarlo Phillips saw protestors gather on the Main Street Bridge.

3:30 p.m.: Jacksonville city leaders came together to hold a news conference to make a comment on Saturday’s events.

Rep. Kimberly Daniels said there is a difference between protesting and rioting.

“Right cannot be made with more wrong. Looting is wrong, destruction of property is wrong,” said Daniels.

1:57 p.m.: Due to damage caused by Saturday’s events downtown, the Supervisor of Elections office will be closed Monday, June 1 for walk-in service, according to the City of Jacksonville.

1:23 p.m.: The protesters have started marching through the streets of downtown. JSO reminds protestors that they need to stay on the sidewalk or they could be arrested.

12:00 p.m.: Leaders were speaking out Sunday as protesters were chanting “No justice, no peace"

10:00 a.m.: Protesters gathered at the Duval County Courthouse Sunday for a Black Lives Matter Rally.

A live look showed demonstrators gathering on the steps of the courthouse with their signs.

8:03 a.m.: According to the City of Jacksonville, to ensure safety Lot J and Legends Center COVID-29 testing sites are closed.

6:22 a.m.: As the sun came up Action News Jax was able to get downtown to assess the damage from Saturday’s protests.

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