A statewide 8 p.m. curfew was issued Sunday by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and local leaders as part of a statewide emergency. It remains in effect for one week, following reports of looting and rioting throughout parts of the state.
"Today's declaration also authorizes an expanded National Guard mobilization to protect life and property throughout the state," Gov. Ducey said on Twitter.
The curfew starts Sunday, May 31, and runs from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. It expires Monday, June 8, at 5:00 a.m. unless ordered to continue by the Governor's office.
The Yuma County Sheriff's Office (YCSO) is not enforcing the curfew order. The agency says it will only do so if there is a need to enforce it in the event of a riot.
"The Sheriff's Office recognizes there have been peaceful protests within our community and those participants are encouraged to continue to remain civil while expressing their rights," YCSO said in a statement.
The Yuma Police Department has not mentioned if it will impose the order at this time.
During the hours of curfew, all persons cannot use, stand, sit, travel, or be present on any public street or in any public place, even for traveling purposes.
The governor's outline includes exceptions to all law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics or medical personnel, National Guard, and any other emergency response personal authorized by the state, and credentialed members of the media.
Residents traveling to work, in need of medical attention, attending religious services, obtaining food, carrying for family, friends, or animals are also exempt.
Patronizing or operating private businesses can continue as well as commercial trucking, and delivery services.
Travel in the order is defined as but not limited too; travel on foot, bicycle, skateboard, scooter, motorcycle, automobile, public transit, or any other mode of transporting a person from one location to another.
People who do not follow the guidelines within the curfew could be subject to a class one misdemeanor which is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of $2,500.
For the full text of the outline from Gov. Ducey visit here.
There have been zero reports of rioting or looting in Yuma County. However, dozens took the streets Saturday to peacefully protest in support of Black Lives Matter. Organizers have said they will gather again today and Monday.
According to the statewide emergency, police will arrest anyone who plans to riot, loot or cause damage and unrest.
The decision comes as hundreds protest throughout the state over the killing of George Floyd, 46, who died May 25. A video was taken showing a Minneapolis police officer kneeling on Floyd's neck for almost nine minutes. In the video, Floyd can be heard repeatedly saying he can't breathe.
The former officer, Derek Chauvin, 44, was arrested and charged with third-degree murder Friday four days after the incident.
Violent protests have taken place in Phoenix and Tucson and looting was reported in Scottsdale.
In a released statement, San Luis Mayor Gerardo Sanchez said "I just got off a phone call with Governor Ducey, where Mayor Nicholls of Yuma, Tadeo De La Hoya, City Administrator, Chief of Police Richard Jessup, and Ben Blink with the Governor's Office. We remain committed to being vigilant and proactive.
We are urging our community to stay home from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m...
Our goal is to educate and hopefully, there will be no need to enforce. We want to thank the community for their ongoing support and ask for your help.
City Administration and I will be available 24/7 to help answer any questions.."
Mayor Sanchez's statement was also released in Spanish.
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KAWC reporter Victor Calderon contributed to this report.
