Update Monday June 1: Mayor Jenny Durkan has extended the citywide curfew today, starting at 6pm Monday evening and finishing at 5am Tuesday. A city news release says that during these hours, residents and visitors should remain in their home to the extent possible and should refrain from traveling in and through the entire City of Seattle.
“The curfew is intended to prevent violence and widespread property damage, and to prevent the further community spread of COVID-19 through continued gathering. The City encourages all residents to sign up for Alert Seattle to receive notifications about the curfew directly to their mobile device.”
Those commuting to work will not be impacted, nor will people experiencing homeless, people in medical emergencies or dangerous situations, first responders, health care workers, and news media. The curfew does not require businesses to close while it is in effect, though businesses may close at their choosing.
Saturday May 30, 6:30 pm: In a live press conference, Mayor Durkan says the curfew applies to the entire city, not just the downtown area. That means Ballard and surrounding neighborhoods are now under a mandatory curfew.
“We are still in a pandemic,” she adds. “These are two things coming at the same time, which makes it harder for the city to deal with.”
6 pm: Metro bus service has ended for downtown. Colman Dock has also closed.
5:30 pm: Governor Inslee has activated the National Guard.
5 pm: With protesters burning vehicles, blocking I-5 and setting fire to at least one business downtown, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan has announced an immediate curfew from 5 pm to 5 am on Saturday and Sunday.
Residents are asked to “immediately disperse from downtown” and remain in their homes. While the curfew appears to be citywide, police are immediately concerned with the situation downtown.
Seattle joins several others cities enacting curfews in the wake of widespread protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
I’m going to take my life into my own hands and pick up my pizza at Sunny Hill. I would risk prison for that pie.