On Sunday night, May 31, National City ordered a curfew for its residents in response to the riots which broke out in downtown San Diego and La Mesa the previous evening. It was lifted the following day, June 1.
The initial curfew regulations, outlined in a press release on Sunday, banned travel on public streets and sidewalks or public places within National City within the timeframe of the curfew. Exemptions were granted to emergency and public safety workers, media, and homeless persons and those seeking emergency care or fleeing dangerous situations.
“Now more than ever, we need to show tolerance, understanding and unity without violence and we want to assure you that we are working closely with the County of San Diego, National City Police Department and National City’s emergency personnel,” the city’s statement read, urging businesses to close as soon as possible. “We are prepared for any incidents that may arise in National City.”
The curfew stayed in effect from 8 p.m. Sunday night to 5:30 a.m. Monday morning.
The city has said they will not be extending the curfew.
Following the initial curfew order, David Loy, legal director of the local chapter of the ACLU, wrote to the city manager of National City cautioning against curfews, basing his warning on state law which does not allow curfews unless there is a local emergency.
“For present purposes, no genuine emergency can exist in the absence of actual or imminent violence beyond the means of government to address with less restrictive measures,” wrote Loy. “As far as I know, no such threat is imminent in National City.”
National City is one of several cities in San Diego County, as well as a number of unincorporated areas, that issued curfews following the weekend’s riots.
The rioting, looting and arson seen around the county mirrors a wave of similar activity around the country, usually appearing in places designated for protests against police brutality, sparked by the death of George Floyd.
“Our priority is to keep the community of National City safe and to protect our residents and local businesses while supporting peaceful protests,” the city’s statement read. “Together we can keep our community safe.”
