San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg lifted the downtown curfew Saturday afternoon following several nights of protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death.
The mayor lifted the curfew based on recommendations from the city manager and the police department.
San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said there is improved dialogue between the city, organizers and demonstrators since peaceful protests turned into violent confrontations last Wednesday and Saturday.
Event organizers met with McManus on several occasions in the past week. According to McManus, they agreed to work together to ensure the safety of everyone involved.
"The fabric of our society is so woven with institutional racism. You know, the only one way to get rid of a bad fabric is to do what? Burn it. The system needs to be burned," Myart said.
Myart isn't suggesting violence. He believes changes need to be made on a political level and that people need to support leaders who support them.
"I don't promote violence, so I don't want to give people the impression that I do," Myart said. "Although I do believe that violence is a viable means for social change. And I don't think that this entire process, protests across the country wouldn't be where it is right now without the initial violence."
The march begins. @TPRNews pic.twitter.com/gfi03Iwlvf
— Kathleen Creedon (@kath_creedon) June 6, 2020
A peaceful protest to draw attention to two local men who were killed by San Antonio Police took place at Milam Park Sunday in memory of Marquise Jones and Charles Roundtree. Jones was shot and killed by local police in 2014, Roundtree was killed in 2018.
On Monday, a protest is expected to start at Blue Star Arts Complex in Southtown. The march route includes stops at La Villita and HemisFair with a focus on the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The city is also offering free parking at most city owned lots, garages and street meters from 4 p.m. Monday until 2 p.m. Tuesday.
Tell a friend to tell a friend!!! Spread this on all social media platforms!!! If you are wanting to volunteer go to this link https://t.co/wAXZAfT5MH we appreciate you all and hope to see you, your family and friends out there🖤🖤🖤 #BLM #YAASA #LOVE #UNITY pic.twitter.com/ztGDXXHAl2
— YoungAmbitiousActivists (@AmbitiousActs20) June 7, 2020
Kathleen Creedon can be reached at kathleen@tpr.org or on Twitter at @Kath_Creedon.
Dominic Anthony Walsh can be reached at Dominic@TPR.org and on Twitter at @_DominicAnthony.
