Tensions run high in Downtown Reno as National Guard is called to assist with protests

RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Washoe County, including the cities of Reno and Sparks, has issued a curfew for the city until 7 a.m. after what started as a peaceful protest to demand justice for George Floyd, quickly turned violent downtown.

The Reno Police Department has also declared an unlawful assembly in all of Reno. Residents should stay inside.

The National Guard has been called in to assist law enforcement with crowd control.

Anyone on the streets has been ordered to leave. They are subject to arrest if they do not.

The RTC has suspended regular transportation services and is now offering emergency service to help people get home safely. Vehicles with the blue KEOLIS logo will transport people door-to-door from stops at UNR/Lawlor, Keystone and 7th, Renown Medical Center and RTC Centennial Plaza in Sparks.

A group of protesters set fire and smashed windows at Reno City Hall, according to a News 4 reporter on scene. Police have released tear gas in an effort to get protesters out of the building.

Our reporter on scene reports police have pushed protesters from City Plaza to south of the Center Street Bridge.

A vehicle was set fire near 200 S. Virginia Street around 10 p.m. Saturday night.

Downtown I-80 exits are closed from Ralston Steet to Wells Avenue. I-580 exits have now been closed at Mill Street and Glendale Avenue.

The death of George Floyd sparked demonstrations across the country after avideo taken by a bystander showed Floyd pleading for air as a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.

At one point Saturday afternoon, protesters converged on a Reno Police station where several people vandalized the police station with graffiti.

*Warning - Some of the images in the tweets below show explicit language.*

The protests across the country became even more widespread Friday night as demonstrators marched in cities, including Atlanta, Phoenix, Denver, Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and New York City.

Some protesters stopped traffic and even lashed out violently at police. National Guard troops have been ordered to Minneapolis and Atlanta.

More than 400 people demonstrated on the Las Vegas Strip Friday afternoon, according to our sister station News 3 in Las Vegas.

Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, Attorney General Aaron Ford and State Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson released the following statement about Friday night's protest:

“George Floyd was killed by a despicable and loathsome Minneapolis police officer. He and the other officers who watched, and didn’t come to Mr. Floyd’s aid, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Of that, we have no doubt.

Here in Nevada, while racial, social, and cultural divides still exist, we have made significant strides in confronting these schisms. In the past 20 years, community, law enforcement, and government leaders have been working together in efforts to address the issues that divide us and the tragic consequences of bigotry.

In just the past few years, Nevadans have elected the first African American Supreme Court Justice, Speaker of the Assembly, Attorney General, Congressman and the first Latina to the United States Senate. Despite those proud accomplishments, there is so much more we must do to ensure social justice, equal opportunity, better education, and the overall eradication of all forms of racism in our communities and our State.

To the protesters...we hear you and we are listening, and more importantly, we invite you to be part of a constructive solution, and the healing our community desperately needs. We respect and defend your right to protest, but please express yourselves peacefully.

And, be assured we will not rest until everyone in our community feels safe and respected.”

The Minneapolis police officer seen with his knee on Floyd's neck was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter.