Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin announced that there will be a curfew in effect downtown for Friday and Saturday nights due to a planned social justice demonstration.
A flier for the event says that the demonstration is a "march for Jacob Blake" as well as for those killed by Raleigh police.
The event is planned to begin at 7 p.m. on Friday in Downtown Raleigh and at the Wake County Courthouse. The curfew will be in effect from 10 p.m. on Friday through 5 a.m. on Saturday and again from 10 p.m. on Saturday to 5 a.m. on Sunday.
"Issuing a curfew isn't an easy decision," Mayor Baldwin stated in a news release. "By setting a curfew, it is my hope that we can allow those assembled the opportunity to exercise their right to free speech in a peaceful way, without violence or destruction from opportunists who don't share the goals of peaceful protesters."
According to ABC 11, business owners were seen putting boards on shop windows along Hargett Street in preparation for the demonstrations.
Baldwin added, "Together, we can call for justice and hear the voices of our community and maintain a safe environment for everyone involved."
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