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 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.
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