Demonstrations relatively calm overnight, following curfews, stronger law enforcement presence

Protests across the country were relatively calm overnight, with curfews and a stronger law enforcement presence appearing to restore order to cities in which demonstrators in recent nights have vandalized stores, blocked streets and clashed with police.

In New York City – which now appears to be the site of the most destructive protests after those in Minneapolis after George Floyd’s death – police on Tuesday night had several confrontations with demonstrators but not like those in previous nights when some of them smashed and looted stores in the city’s upscale SoHo neighborhood and Macy’s flagship store near Times Square. 

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has so far declined offers from President Trump to provide National Guard support.

The Associated Press reports roughly 9,300 people have been arrested across the country since Floyd died May 25 after an arrest by police in which an officer kneeled on his neck.

The protests against police brutality have also resulted in attacks on police. At least seven have been shot – including four in St. Louis on Monday night and one fatally struck this past weekend while guarding a federal building in Oakland.

Protests were also relatively calm Tuesday night in such cities as Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. – where a 7 p.m. curfew and the support of federal law enforcement teams have helped restore order.