Tacoma businesses, services close early as people gather to protest killing of George Floyd
Some businesses are closing early Monday as a precaution as people gather in downtown Tacoma near Wright Park to protest the the death of George Floyd and other people of color at the hands of police.
Here are businesses and services suspending operations:
- Tacoma General Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital are taking safety precautions and asking patients that have appointments today to call and reschedule. The emergency department will remain open.
- Johnson’s Candy Co. at 924 M.L.K. Jr Way closed at noon today in anticipation of the protest, posting #BlackLivesMatter signs sharing support for justice of George Floyd.
A free shower program at the Market Street YMCA in partnership with Valeo Vocation for people experiencing homelessness closed early and will resume Thursday at 10:30 a.m.
Target at 3320 S 23rd St. will be closed Monday, according to a sign at its entrance. The front doors have been boarded over with plywood. Stores across the country have been closed or hours adjusted, Target posted in a statement Sunday.
Pierce County Superior Court issued an Emergency Court Closure Order as of 2:33 p.m. due to a planned protest near the County-City Building. Court is expected to reopen as normal on Tuesday, June 2.
Fred Meyer and QFC stories in Tacoma and Pierce County have reduced store hours “out of an abundance of caution for our customers and our associates” and will open as soon as possible, said spokesperson Tiffany Sanders. “We hope the protests in our cities and across the nation will peacefully shine a light on injustice,” Sanders said.
Tacoma Link light rail service has been temporary suspended due to “road closures and civic events,” Sound Transit stated Tuesday evening.
A city-wide curfew has not been issued as of 1 p.m., said Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards.
When asked by The News Tribune if the city is responding to the protests with any closures, city spokesperson Maria Lee said no building evacuation has been issued at this time.
“We are monitoring the situation along with the Tacoma Police Department,” Lee said.
Debbie Cockrell contributed to this report.
This story was originally published June 1, 2020 at 2:14 PM.
