A LARGE SECTION of Huntington Beach in under curfew Sunday night in the wake of protests that turned violent (HBPD map).

A curfew for a large section of Huntington Beach was declared Sunday in the wake of a protest that turned violent in the city’s downtown area.

According to Officer Angela Bennett of the HBPD, the curfew will run 8 p.m. until 5:30 a.m.

It will remain in effect until further notice.

The portion under curfew includes an area from Yorktown Avenue south to the Pacific Ocean and between Goldenwest Street and Beach Boulevard.

According to police, the demonstration protesting the death while in police custody of George Floyd, a black man, in Minneapolis, originated in the area of Pacific Coast Highway and Main Street.

The crowd was estimated at 500 people, and after a peaceful beginning, the event began to turn violent. An unlawful assembly was declared as some in the group engaged in assaults and wielded weapons such as pepper spray and “various impact weapons.”

Additionally, the crowd blocked traffic on Pacific Coast Highway and refused to leave the area after being told to move.

Cinder blocks, weights and rocks were found hidden in several downtown alleys, which police believe to be evidence of a plan to commit violence, said police.

In dispersing the crowd, 17 persons were arrested.

Costa Mesa has declared a local emergency and will be enforcing a citywide curfew that began at 8 p.m. Sunday (tonight) and will end at 5 a.m. on Monday.

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