EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: New Hanover County, Wilmington announce curfews

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — During a news conference on Tuesday afternoon, the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County announced they are implementing curfews, effective immediately, from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m.

During the past two nights of protests, 15 people were arrested. On Sunday night, some businesses had windows smashed, but there were no reports of looting. Four people were armed.

“Who were these people with guns and why did they come to a protest with handguns?” Mayor Bill Saffo said.

Monday night’s protest was a different story. Protesters remained peaceful, chanting, and walking downtown with police, before ending back up at City Hall. It remained peaceful for several hours until the very end, when some in the crowd became unruly and Wilmington Police and the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office forced them to disperse.

“We must heal and the peaceful protest that have been hard are part of that process,” Mayor Saffo said. “To our peaceful protesters, I saw welcome. To those bent on inciting violence, this is not the place.”

The imposed curfew means no one should be afoot on public places like sidewalks, parks, etc between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.  This does not impact businesses like coffee shops or restaurants.

As for whether there are any upcoming planned protests, the Downtown Business Alliance of Wilmington said they were notified that permits have been obtained for protests nightly until Saturday.

https://www.facebook.com/DBAofWilmington/posts/3348243481866633