Mayor Kim Norton has instituted a 9 p.m. curfew for downtown Rochester on Saturday.

During the nighttime curfew, no travel is allowed within the downtown boundaries — on any public street, sidewalk, path or any public place.

The curfew is in effect through Sunday at 5 a.m.

“We have and will continue to support the peaceful protest of our community. I ask for the community’s cooperation and support in following the curfew,” Norton said in a statement. “Plan to stay safely at home tonight with your families and loved ones.”

The curfew follows a series of peaceful protests across the city. Hundreds marched from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park to the Government Center on Saturday. A community vigil is scheduled for later in the day.

“What brings me out is just seeing people who look just like me getting shot and killed on the streets, and being sick and tired of it,” said Ronnie L., a 23-year-old African-American man who participated in a protest on Friday. “But we are trying to be peaceful… because that’s what we stand for.”

At Government building. #Rochmn pic.twitter.com/IxssRjk79G
— Andy Smith (@AndySmithMN) May 30, 2020

A few disturbances were reported Friday night. Damage included a broken police windshield. Late-night demonstrators also blocked a portion of Broadway, knocking down traffic cones and lighting off firecrackers. A subset of the group later stopped traffic on Highway 52 and police report that rocks were thrown at officers. No arrests were made, though several juveniles were detained and handed over to their parents.

Firecrackers going off in downtown #rochmn. Young woman tries to defuse situation: "This is not Minneapolis." Reports on the scene that a police windshield was smashed in the protests. pic.twitter.com/DL7Wz2OJDu
— Sean Baker (@SeanBakerMN) May 30, 2020

Overall, however, the demonstrations — in contrast to the events taking place in Minneapolis and St. Paul — remained relatively within control.

“We thank the peaceful protestors, who have been the majority the past two days,” said Police Chief Jim Franklin. “This curfew is being implemented out of an abundance of caution. Our number one priority is protecting and serving our residents and locally owned small businesses.”

All law enforcement, fire and medical personnel, as well as other personnel authorized by the City of Rochester, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Minnesota State Patrol or Minnesota National Guard, are exempt from the curfew. Individuals seeking emergency care or fleeing dangerous circumstances are also exempt.