Raleigh curfew extended into Tuesday after weekend looting, fires and vandalism

Certain public safety and city workers are exempt, including journalists.

Breaking curfew could lead to misdemeanor charges and up to 60 days in jail or a $1,000 fine.

Monday night's curfew was initially put in place after two nights of violence and destruction spread throughout the city. After the curfew, the Mayor described the city in a press release as "peaceful."

"I want to thank all of those who protested peacefully earlier in the day yesterday," Mayor of Raleigh Mary-Ann Baldwin said. "You represent the Raleigh we have always known, and you will always be welcome in this city."

Fayetteville's curfew is also in effect again Tuesday night, and Mayor Mitch Colvin announced his city's curfew on Sunday. It is in effect until further notice, from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.

Some police and protesters circle together during peaceful rallies

Businesses across the Triangle boarded their windows Monday night in case there would be more violence, but the curfew seemed to calm things down.

“If there wasn’t protesters and rioters, there wouldn’t be a curfew. I have no problem with the curfew. I wish it had happened sooner,” said Sunny Miller, owner of Adara Spa in Raleigh.

“I feel like the curfew should have happened last night. I feel like after the first night it should have never gotten as bad as it did,” Frame & Art Shop owner Cindy Stasiewicz said.

The curfew comes after what started as peaceful protests turned into two nights of rioting in downtown Raleigh, which sparked local business owners to take extra precautions.

“I’ve never in my history of business have I ever thought of boarding up. Maybe a couple of hurricanes but never to this extent,” Stasiewicz said.

The curfew restricts traveling for the general public between the hours of 8 p.m. until 5 a.m with the exception of medical emergencies. All businesses aside from public safety personnel, public utilities and transportation, and the media are expected to close up shop before the curfew.

While some hope the curfew will work, others say it will only slow things down.

“When they have intent, they have a strategy and a plan no one is safe. So even though there’s going to be a curfew, not everyone is going to obey it and cops can’t be everywhere,” Miller said.

It’s a situation many want resolved peacefully. “Everyone believes what happened was wrong, but this is out of hand. I’m scared. I’m scared for my family, my children, my business,” Stasiewicz said.

The curfew will remain in effect until Raleigh mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin declares it is over. ​