SAN ANTONIO – For the fifth consecutive day, protesters took to the streets of downtown San Antonio protesting racial inequality and the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
But Wednesday’s protests were much quieter than the night before when protests got out of hand when a group faced off with police officers near Alamo Plaza, resulting in eight arrests and two minor injuries to journalists.
"No trouble tonight, whatsoever,” San Antonio Police Chief William McManus said. “It was a very relaxed atmosphere.”
The marchers arrived downtown around 4 p.m. and made their way to the Bexar County Courthouse, Public Safety Headquarters and Travis Park.
Among those participating in Wednesday’s protest were San Antonio Spurs players Lonnie Walker and Bryn Forbes and former Spur Sean Elliott.
By the time nighttime fell, most of the protesters had left, except for a group that remained at Travis Park until at least 11 p.m. despite a city curfew that went into effect at 9 p.m.
In addition to chanting and marching, protesters say they are taking other actionable steps to ensure anti-racism policies are implemented, and police brutality is ended.
“I just don’t think there’s a better opportunity than now to get people registered to vote. Right before I came out here, I stopped by the office and took a test and became a deputy registrar. I’m now able to help people register to vote,” said Valerie Reiffert, who is helping to plan future protests.
A group of police dressed in riot gear were at Alamo Plaza to prevent anyone from entering the grounds surrounding the shrine.
Earlier in the day, temporary fencing was placed at the tourist attraction, which has been closed off during nightly curfews. A four-foot tall chainlink fence was placed on top of water-filled plastic barriers and will skirt the western edge of the plaza along Alamo Street, from Commerce to Houston Streets, as well as its northern edge.
A few hours later, San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg issued a temporary curfew for the downtown business district and Alamo Plaza that will last until June 7,
The curfew for the downtown business district is between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. nightly. Alamo Plaza will close nightly between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m., according to the city.
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