What You Can And Can't Do Under Arizona's Statewide Curfew
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STEVE GOLDSTEIN: But we begin with the continuing fallout from the death of George Floyd at the hands of police. Today, businesses across the country are showing their support for black lives by closing their businesses. Across social media people are posting blackout images as a show of solidarity.
LAUREN GILGER: Yesterday, as peaceful protests unfolded in front of Phoenix Police headquarters downtown, some officers joined protesters and took to their knees in order to disperse the crowds gathered to protest George Floyd's death and the ongoing violence against African Americans. The evening ended peacefully as the curfew came into effect.
GOLDSTEIN: Arizona is under the only statewide curfew in the country this week. Gov. Doug Ducey's order goes into effect after 8:00 p.m. each night, except in a variety of situations. Ducey spokesman Patrick Ptak said the curfew was in response to looting and property damage in Scottsdale.
PATRICK PTAK: There are exemptions listed in the declaration. They're pretty expansive for people who are taking care of loved ones, pets, frequenting businesses or traveling for those purposes. This is intended to give law enforcement a tool.
GOLDSTEIN: With us for a few minutes to talk about what you can and cannot do under the curfew is Maria Polletta of the Arizona Republic. Maria, good morning.
MARIA POLLETTA: Good morning. Thanks for having me.
GOLDSTEIN: Good to have you with us. So governor's aims on this. What are his goals with this curfew?
POLLETTA: Well, as Patrick said, the governor is really trying, or at least he has painted this as an effort to prevent some of the looting, some of the chaos that we saw on Saturday night. Sunday morning, he had issued a statement, second of two, basically condemning any violence and the protests, though he did support the right to protest. That was followed by what was really a surprise announcement of this curfew that he said was, was aimed at preventing some similar some similar chaos or destruction.
GOLDSTEIN: Let's explore some of the exceptions. This came out even before with the governor's executive order related to COVID with your stay-at-home. But there are many, many exceptions. There are certain essential services. What are some exceptions we're seeing with the curfew order?
POLLETTA: There are quite a few exceptions. So of course, law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, medical personnel, credentialed media. Those are all accepted. Those individuals are excepted from the curfew order. Also, commercial truckers and any sort of delivery services, employees traveling to and from work — I know that was a big concern. Anybody who is attending a religious service, going out to get food, going to a private business, meaning that private businesses do not need to close by 8:00 p.m., which I know was another concern. And this is not in the order, but the governor's office told me when I asked for some clarification, that this should not affect anybody who is experiencing homelessness and out on the street for that reason and should not affect anybody who is trying to exercise outdoors or walk their dog in the slightly cooler hours overnight.
GOLDSTEIN: Maria, one thing that intrigued a lot of people was this idea that the governor and spokespeople had said, well, the governor talked with a number of community leaders. Well, it turned out apparently that Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego was not one of those leaders. And now it turns out it appears, at least based on reporting, that the DPS director is someone the governor consulted on this. Do we actually know who the governor went to for advice on this?
POLLETTA: Not entirely. As you said, he, when he announced the curfew, said he had spoken with state and law enforcement leaders as well as, quote, quote, "local leaders," which most people understood to be mayors of major cities. But, yes, the Phoenix mayor said that she had not requested this, Tucson mayor did not either. Mesa mayor, Scottsdale, they were all saying that this was not something they requested even if, you know, after the fact, for example, the Mesa mayor said he did support the move. A spokesperson from Chandler said that Chandler had had some interest and there had been some regional interest in the East Valley, and this is a preventive measure. But, yes, it's very unclear who all was really asking for this. And the governor's office has not elaborated or provided any specifics on that.
GOLDSTEIN: And, Maria, finally, has the governor commented on whether he has liked how the first couple of nights have gone with the curfew?
POLLETTA: He has. He is under the impression that it is working as intended. He posted a video with him speaking with Department of Public Safety troopers yesterday before they were preparing to go out. He told them he was really pleased with how Sunday night had gone, that he felt that it was working. He also during a phone call with the president yesterday, which I'm sure everyone has heard about, given the president's strong language when he was asking governors to sort of come at this with a heavy hand, the governor said that he felt that he had the situation under control and the president complimented his handling of it.
GOLDSTEIN: And that is Maria Polletta of the Arizona Republic. Good to talk with you. Stay well.
POLLETTA: Thank you. You too.
