A curfew goes into effect in Burbank at 5 p.m. until 6 a.m. today and many businesses are taking action. Some, like the Apple computer specialist, MelroseMac, 2400 West Olive Avenue, are boarding up doors and windows preparing for the worst.
Before the City of Burbank issued the order for a 5 p.m. curfew, plenty of chatter on social media and around town about protests planned for this afternoon at various places here. The protests are part of the national and global outrage over suspicious deaths and mistreatment of African Americans by law enforcement.
Most recently, the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis last Monday, May 25, while in police custody. A widely viewed video of former police officer, Derek Chauvin, with his knee on Floyd’s neck shocked and angered many. Chauvin was arrested , but that has not stopped the protests.
The big concern for local business owners and officials is not the peaceful protests against injustice. No, they are worried about the type of violence, destruction, and looting, which erupted over the past few days nationwide. Last night, a similar curfew was ordered in Burbank as a result of chaos in several local communities.
In a statement , the City encouraged businesses to close early to allow their employees and customers to “head for home” before the curfew hits.
Apparently, stocking up on guns and ammo are on the must-have-list of quite a few folks. Long lines at the gun shops on Magnolia Blvd. this afternoon. Another sad sign of our troubled times.
