Gov. Tim Walz Implements Nighttime Curfew

TWIN CITIES, MN — Gov. Tim Walz Friday signed Executive Order 20-65, implementing a temporary nighttime curfew that will provide safety for Minnesota residents from individuals who have engaged in unlawful and dangerous activity in recent days and threatened the security of lawful demonstrators and first responders.

"It’s time to rebuild our community and that starts with safety in our streets," Walz said in a statement.

"Thousands of Minnesotans have expressed their grief and frustration in a peaceful manner. But the unlawful and dangerous actions of others, under the cover of darkness, has caused irreversible pain and damage to our community. This behavior has compromised the safety of bystanders, businesses, lawful demonstrators, and first responders. Now, we come together to restore the peace."

The city governments of Saint Paul and Minneapolis both implemented their own curfews as well, but they impose identical time constraints.

The temporary curfew is scheduled from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday night.

During the curfew, no one may travel on Minneapolis and Saint Paul streets or public places, except for first responders, members of the media, people going back and forth to work, individuals seeking emergency care or fleeing danger, and people experiencing homelessness.

Curfews are not limited to Minneapolis and St. Paul, mayors across the state can issue their own curfews.

All Minnesotans in Minneapolis and Saint Paul are urged to voluntarily comply. Police will enforce the curfew and arrest those who refuse to comply, according to a news release from the governor's office.

The state has activated a Multi-Agency Command Center (MACC). The MACC will serve as a unified command of several different law enforcement and public safety agencies to support the state’s response.