* Press release from the American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois…
This weekend, thousands of people across Illinois once again will gather together to protest anti-Black racism and the police killing of George Floyd and countless other Black people. These inspiring protests have taken place throughout Illinois, including small towns like Anna in Southern Illinois to the City of Chicago and its suburbs.
These protests – and the ability of people to be outdoors for other permissible activities – should not be limited by indefinite curfews. Curfews are a blunt tool that invite unnecessary police interactions and often result in arbitrary and selective enforcement aimed at Black people and people of color, the type of biased policing challenged by many protesters.
Many Illinois cities and towns imposed unnecessary curfews last weekend that have continued throughout this week. It is time for the curfews to be lifted everywhere in our state.
Thoughts?
…Adding… Press release…
ACLU of Illinois Responds to the End of Chicago’s Curfew
The below statement can be attributed to Colleen Connell, Executive Director, ACLU of Illinois:
“Finally! The curfew in the City of Chicago has been lifted. The limitation went on too long and caused disruption for too many of the City’s residents, including those protesting anti-Black racism and police violence, journalists, people experiencing homelessness, and essential workers.
As we said the night the curfew was put in place, the indefinite and vague nature of the curfew invited discriminatory enforcement against Black and Brown communities in the City.”
- Precinct Captain - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 2:35 pm:
LA dropped their curfew after being sued.
- Pundent - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 2:38 pm:
I’m hoping that these protests are peaceful. Unfortunately when I hear the words and see the actions of our President today it’s clear to me that he sees this as an opportunity to divide us and escalate this into something very different. That is deeply concerning.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 2:48 pm:
Aside from the general civil liberties involved with curfews being imposed, and whether or not they’re necessary, we certainly don’t need any more curfews to give an excuse for cops to start beating people.
- Amalia - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
some people are exploiting lawful protests. I’d rather have a curfew so any bad action cannot take place later in the day.
- Tynie - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:01 pm:
I read this, twice, and got the feeling it’s a last-chance warning. As in, if the curfews aren’t lifted immediately, the ACLU will sue.
Sorry that rhymed, but I believe Precinct Captain’s reference to LA proves a precedent for that. I’m no lawyer, so I could be wrong on that actually being a precedent.
- RIJ - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:01 pm:
Local decisions should be based on local circumstances. Rock Island County lifted the curfew this morning. There was a protest in Davenport, IA, last night, so it was probably wise to do so after the weekend deaths there. But it was a very peaceful protest where the mayor, police chief, and Scott Co. sheriff all joined in taking a knee. Scott Co. also lifted their curfew today.
- RNUG - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:04 pm:
I’ll agree that curfews should not be permanent; I would say it should be situational. Some communities obviously do not need one. But other places still having violence do need one as another tool to control things for now.
- Shemp - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:05 pm:
Not a big fan of curfews, but if government will not defend or is incapable of defend people’s property and safety, and the government will not allow people full ability to defend their lives and property….
- Lynn S. - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:08 pm:
Here in Chambana, both cities have had curfews since last Sunday.
It’s my understanding, and I could be very wrong about this, that if there is no trouble this weekend — as in, peaceful demonstrators welcome, looters and hooligans need to leave things alone and go away — the curfews will be dropped next Monday.
- Served - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:22 pm:
I took my dog out in Lincoln Park last night around 930 and had to look online to see if there was a curfew in effect. People everywhere out and about. Says a lot about what the actual intent of the curfew is.
- revvedup - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
In cases such as ongoing rioting and looting, curfews are appropriate. With the end of those in my area, they become inappropriately restrictive. For example, Riverdale (South Burb of Chicago) is no longer under curfew since 6/4, with any apparent lootings/burglaries over with. The ACLU sometimes ignores the fact that restrictions can be placed on the right to travel or assemble in emergencies, and this situation was one.
- Enviro - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:42 pm:
The cities and towns believe the curfews are necessary to protect lives and property and stop looting. Peaceful protests are not the reason for curfews.
- Johnson - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:44 pm:
Isn’t it interesting how everyone was fine with forcing businesses to close and having a stay at home order for months on end but when buildings are being burned and peaceful protesters are being invaded by outside agitators we can’t place a curfew to protect life and businesses.
- RIJ - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 3:54 pm:
Johnson, you mean there were no lawsuits against the stay-at-home order? Oh, yeah, there were. At least we’re keeping the lawyers employed, eh?
- Silicon Prairie - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
I there isnt enough police to stop the looters how can the enforce a curfew ?
- Aspects - Friday, Jun 5, 20 @ 4:12 pm:
== Here in Chambana, both cities have had curfews since last Sunday.
It’s my understanding, and I could be very wrong about this, that if there is no trouble this weekend — as in, peaceful demonstrators welcome, looters and hooligans need to leave things alone and go away — the curfews will be dropped next Monday. ==
The curfew in Champaign-Urbana was only for Sunday night after the looting occurred in the afternoon.