DC mayor extends emergency declaration until day after Biden’s inauguration
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D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has extended the public emergency she declared on Wednesday for the next 15 days after pro-Trump rioters breached the Capitol building and protested around the city.
The new order is expected to end on Tuesday, Jan. 21 at 3 p.m., one day after President-elect Joe Biden is expected to be inaugurated.
“Today, First Amendment protests turned violent. Many persons came to the District armed and for the purpose of engaging in violence and destruction and have engaged in violence and destruction. They have fired chemical irritants, bricks, bottles, and guns,” said Bowser’s order.
“They have breached the security of the Capitol and their destructive and riotous behavior has the potential to spread beyond the Capitol. Their motivation is ongoing. Today, they sought to disrupt the Congressional proceedings relating to the acceptance of electoral college votes.”
D.C. City Administrator, Kevin Donahue, has been given the authorization to implement measures “necessary or appropriate to protect persons and property in the District of Columbia from the conditions caused by this public emergency.”
This order gives multiple D.C. leaders such as the City Administrator, Deputy Mayor and Chief Financial Officer the authority to apply for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in order to “recoup expenditures incurred, or obtain funding needed, under this order.
Bowser ordered a 6 p.m. curfew Wednesday afternoon after rioters breached the Capitol, breaking windows and doors in order to get in. One woman, Ashli Babbit of San Diego, was shot on Capitol grounds and was later declared dead.
The new order from the mayor’s office did not specify if the curfew would remain in place, but did allow for people to be directed off the streets if a curfew is established.
“During the hours of the curfew, no person, other than persons designated by the Mayor, shall walk, bike, run, loiter, stand or motor by car or other mode of transport upon any street, alley, park, or other public spaces within the District,” said Bowser when announcing the curfew.