Indianapolis mayor sets curfew after night of protests, violence

INDIANAPOLIS— Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett announced that a nightly curfew in Marion County will go into effect starting May 31 and last until June 1.

The curfew will begin at 8 p.m. on Sunday and last until 6 a.m. Monday.

Violation of the curfew order is a class B misdemeanor. Anyone in violation of the curfew may face up to 180 days in jail or fines up to $10,000.

No person may travel public streets or be in public places in Marion County during the curfew, the mayor said. 

Exceptions to the curfew include law enforcement, members of the news media, federal, state, or local public officials conducting necessary work, individuals traveling directly to and from work, seeking medical care, experiencing homelessness or fleeing dangerous circumstances. 

The curfew comes after two nights of violent protests, which included arrests and fatal shootings, in Indianapolis over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. 

A peaceful protest drew hundreds of people on Sunday in downtown Indianapolis. 

“This policy is not intended to punish our residents— it is intended to protect them,” Hogsett said in a press release on Sunday. “We also remain committed to protecting the peaceful demonstrations we fully expect to take place today and in the weeks to come. We do not tolerate these acts of protest—we celebrate them. And just as with yesterday, we will continue to work with event organizers to ensure they have a venue to deliver their non-violent message without interference.”