© Mario TamPolice stand guard as firefighters work to extinguish a fire at a section of shops looted amid demonstrations in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death on May 31, 2020 in Santa Monica, California.
Santa Monica Police Chief Cynthia Renaud announced the number of arrests Monday morning during a press conference, stating that the actions did not represent the city itself or its residents.
The arrest charges ranged from looting, assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a police officer and curfew violations. The city imposed a 4 p.m. curfew Sunday as a result of the looting, but authorities didn't begin to enforce the curfew until later in the evening.
Many government officials both locally and nationwide have continued to clarify the difference between protesters and looters, saying that the latter came with the intent of capitalizing on the large crowds and fragile state of the nation from the coronavirus pandemic for personal gain.
Santa Monica will impose another curfew at 1:30 p.m. Monday for residents citywide that will remain in place until 5:30 a.m. Tuesday.
A peaceful march down Ocean Boulevard that started around noon Sunday was overshadowed by looting reported at several stores in Santa Monica Place shopping center and on nearby Fourth Street. News footage showed many people carrying merchandise and running out of stores that had been broken into.
Here's an appropriate memory. We've all heard of the impossible 'tragedy' at Pulse, Orlando, Florida. The impossibilities are legion.
Remember the guy who trained with the Orlando shooter and who had a car full of CIA provided weapons and bombs? How he was supposed to shoot up a gay day parade at?
Santa Monica, Cal.
He realized that he'd been set up to be a patsy so he instead turned himself into SMPD.
R.C.