Challenge to Curfews Imposed by D.C. Mayor

April 30, 2021

Amidst ongoing protests against police brutality in response to the murder of George Floyd by Derek Chauvin, the Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center filed a lawsuit on behalf of Black Lives Matter D.C. opposing curfews imposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. 

The lawsuit sought a temporary injunction prohibiting the curfews to protect the First Amendment rights of Washington, D.C.’s citizens.  The curfew led to the arrest of more than 300 peaceful protestors in D.C. where law enforcement donning riot gear used tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against the protestors. 

After receiving notice of the litigation, Mayor Bowser extended the start time of the curfew from 7.p.m. to 11p.m.  More information about the lawsuit can be found here.