What local media described as a “massive crowd” of protesters assembled in Huntington Beach, California, on Saturday night to defy Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom’s month-long curfew order that took effect for most of the state at 10 pm.
The new mandate applies to counties in the state’s most restrictive “purple” tier of its reopening plan, in which about 94% of Californians reside. Officials said the objective is to discourage people from attending social gatherings and drinking alcohol, behaviors they claim contributed to the recent increase in COVID-19 infections throughout the state.
Video from the scene showed demonstrators lining the sidewalks around the Huntington Beach Pier at Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street. Many waved American flags as drivers honked their horns in support while driving through the area.
Most attendees were there to condemn Gov. Newsom’s actions, saying the curfew infringes on civil liberties. Still, many were just as passionate about displaying their commitment to President Donald J. Trump.
“I [would] like to see curfews go away,” one unidentified man told the CBS News affiliate in Los Angeles, later adding: “I don’t agree with it. I think there’s too many restrictions as is. Obviously, a lot of people don’t agree with what our governor and our city officials are doing … but curfews is just a little too far.”
The “Huntington Beach Curfew Breakers” rally was publicized on social media by a popular television reporter, but it’s not clear who organized the demonstration.
“If you are a free American and are more than non-essential join us for a clear act of defiance against Newsoms [sic] 10PM stay at home order,” an online flyer said, instructing interested parties to meet at the pier at 10:01 pm.
A “curfew breakers” protest/rally is being planned for 10:01 pm tomorrow night at the Huntington Beach pier, one minute after the CA curfew is set to take effect. The OC Sheriff has already said he will not enforce the order, as have many Sheriffs across the state. @FOXLA pic.twitter.com/yRqqsBWgGF
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) November 20, 2020
A spokesperson for the Huntington Beach Police Department said protesters were mostly law-abiding, although one person was arrested for public intoxication. No unlawful assembly was declared, and law enforcement did not issue citations for individuals violating the curfew. The event ended after midnight, police said.
Watch:
What curfew? Massive crowd in Huntington Beach, CA protesting the statewide covid curfew that went into effect less than an hour ago. Live report coming up at 11p on @CBSLA #Curfew #covid #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/daT7usD4fu
— hermela aregawi (@HermelaTV) November 22, 2020
https://twitter.com/JJemiola/status/1330403299728773120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1330403299728773120%7Ctwgr%5E&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Fwatch-protesters-gather-in-california-beach-city-to-defy-gov-newsoms-curfew-order%3Futm_source%3Dfacebookutm_medium%3Dsocialutm_campaign%3Dbenshapiro
Still going strong here in Huntington Beach, CA protesting Newsom’s “curfew.” 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/raCzuQkqNY
— Trevor (@GodBlesssTexas) November 22, 2020
This what we need more of!
California Patriots in Huntington Beach telling Newsom’s 10 pm curfew to piss off pic.twitter.com/xQNa3MipwS
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) November 22, 2020
This is an excerpt from the Daily Wire. For the full version, click here.
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