Sacramento’s curfew is unfortunate. But it’s necessary to stop destruction and theft

After three nights of violence, Sacramento city leaders imposed a curfew and called in the California National Guard on Monday. It was an unfortunate but necessary step to prevent further violence and destruction.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg hesitated to take such drastic measures. He said law enforcement officials feared that a curfew might only escalate things. But the vandals and thieves who tore up Sacramento this weekend forced their hands.

Over the weekend, people smashed windows, set fires and stole merchandise. They assaulted and robbed two Sacramento Bee journalists. They did everything in their power to overshadow the real reason for the mostly peaceful protest movement currently awakening: Continual police brutality against African Americans like George Floyd.

Downtown Sacramento Partnership Executive Director Michael Ault told Bee reporters over 130 businesses have been attacked, estimating $10 million in damage. By Monday, 300 buildings had been vandalized with graffiti.

“I don’t think that’s right for us to be doing things like that ... destroying property,” said Sequita Thompson, whose grandson, Stephon Clark, was killed by Sacramento police in 2018. “I didn’t think Sacramento would go that far.”

“It’s not worth it to get hurt. We’ve already been hurt,” she added. “I don’t like violence, I like a peaceful protest.”

The nighttime violence and destruction were in stark contrast to the mostly peaceful protests of the day.

Hundreds of people gathered at the State Capitol for a rally against police brutality. Stevante Clark, the brother of Stephon Clark, led a 100-person march. They marched to honor the life of George Floyd and to demand an end to police violence against African American men.

It’s not exactly clear who the window smashers and thieves were, or what they wanted – besides liquor, snacks, shoes and jewelry. They moved through the central city on a destructive spree. At a moment when the role of police has come under intense scrutiny, this violent fringe element did everything in its power to provoke mass arrests. They played right into the hands of President Donald Trump, who has used his Twitter account to stoke tensions and increase public anger.

“When the looting starts, the shooting starts,” tweeted Trump, bizarrely, last week.

The president, and the fringe elements creating violent spectacles, appear to want an escalation of brutality. But that’s not what most people in our community want. We want justice for George Floyd. We want an end to the racism, brutality, inequity and inequality that has plagued our society from its beginning.

Destroying businesses and smashing windows only detracts from these goals and increases the likelihood that people will get hurt.

The looters devastated several small, local businesses already struggling due to the coronavirus shutdown. Dr. Sarah Swanson, owner of the Eyes on J optometry shop in Midtown, had her business smashed and robbed on Sunday. Sharif Jewelers and Navin’s Clothing were both raided and cleaned out by thieves.

Now, the city has imposed a curfew. The governor has also deployed 500 members of the California National Guard to Sacramento. This is, unfortunately, a necessary step to respect the right of peaceful protest while protecting our community from wanton destruction.

“Your rage is real – express it so we can hear it,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday, urging Californians to continue to protest, but drawing a clear line between peaceful protesters and violent provocateurs.

Newsom said California’s leaders had heard the protesters’ message loud and clear and would work to address systemic racism. He called the protests a “manifestation” of anger at the failure of American leaders to keep their promises to the black community.

“The black community is not responsible for what’s happening in this country right now,” said Newsom. “We are. Our institutions are responsible. We are accountable to this moment. We have a unique responsibility to the black community in this country and we’ve been paying lip service to that for generations … we don’t systemically, foundationally address the root of these issues”.

“A riot is the language of the unheard,” said Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1966.

The Sacramento community has made its voice heard. Now it’s time for the hard work of holding Gov. Newsom – and American leaders at every level of government – accountable for the sweeping changes demanded by this moment in history.

This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 4:09 PM.