De Blasio Won’t Lift NYC Curfew Until Monday Even Though Thousands Likely To March For Ninth Night

NBC New York reports:

Mayor Bill de Blasio said he won’t remove New York City’s nightly curfew before Monday morning as its effectiveness is being questioned as thousands of protesters stay out past 8 p.m. and police officers continue to arrest essential workers even as the mayor says those employees are exempt.

Several New York City council members have called on the mayor to end the curfew, which was only imposed after a series of nights featuring violence, looting and extreme destruction largely blamed on non-protesters. Some counties and cities in California lifted their curfews Thursday after days of sporadic mayhem were replaced by largely peaceful protests.

De Blasio said the “broad goals” of the curfew have been achieved, “but my plan is to continue the curfew throughout the week as I originally stated.”

CBS New York reports:

Thousands of protesters are expected to take to the streets of New York City for the ninth straight day of peaceful demonstrations against police brutality. The NYPD says approximately 200 people were arrested Thursday, many continuing to march after the 8 p.m. curfew.

“It’s a commitment to the Black Lives Movement. So many people out here doing their part. It’d be a shame if I didn’t do mine,” Sam Kebede told CBS2. City Council Speaker Corey Johnson called on the mayor to end the curfew and support police reform bills.