Pasadena Calls Curfew for Second Night

City officials have changed course and moved the citywide curfew to 6 p.m.

The change was made after protesters shut down Colorado Boulevard and Fair Oaks Avenue on Sunday shortly after 5 p.m.

City Manager Steve Mermell initially set the citywide from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. from Sunday, May 31 to June 1.

The curfew is in effect due to continuing incidents throughout Los Angeles County, coupled with concerns that non-Pasadena residents may attempt to disrupt our community.

Although the county is under a 6 p.m. curfew, Pasadena Police originally said they would enforce the 8 p.m. time set by Mermell. That changed about 5:20 p.m. when a police spokesperson said Pasadena was going to enforce the county’s 6 p.m. curfew instead.

“It is heartbreaking that peaceful protesting has been diminished by unlawful behavior. We must take proactive measures to protect our residents and businesses so that our first responders can focus on doing their jobs actively patrolling and monitoring citywide activities. We appreciate all of our residents staying at home.” Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek said in a prepared statement.

Violation of the curfew is a misdemeanor that could result in a $500 fine and six months in jail.

On Saturday, people were arrested in 22 states as peaceful protests and incidents of violence and mayhem continued in the wake of the tragic death of George Floyd.

Floyd died after a Minneapolis officer placed his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes during a May 25 incident, despite the dying man’s exclamations that he could not breathe.

National Guard troops arrived in Los Angeles on Sunday morning to help restore order.

At least two dozen National Guard 129th Rescue Wing HC-130J vehicles passed in front of Los Angeles City Hall shortly before 5 a.m. and are expected to be part of the city’s response to any further unrest that develops as demonstrations continue against police brutality.

Roughly 1,000 guard personnel were deployed after Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Saturday for all of Los Angeles County.