LA and Seattle declare overnight curfews amid protests

Los Angeles and Seattle have joined other U.S. cities in imposing weekend curfews amid widespread protests over the killing of an unarmed black man by police in Minneapolis.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said a curfew will be in effect in the city's downtown from 8 p.m. on Saturday to 5:30 a.m. on Sunday local time. Seattle is taking a similar measure, with no one allowed on the streets from 5 p.m. on Saturday to 5 a.m. the next day.

Garcetti called for calm as demonstrators climbed on a metro bus and set police cars ablaze in the Fairfax District, saying "Whether you wear a badge or whether you hold a sign, I'm asking all of Los Angeles to take a deep breath and step back for a moment."

Meanwhile Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a statement that "The curfew is intended to prevent violence and widespread property damage, and to prevent the further community spread of COVID-19 through continued gathering."

"During those hours residents and visitors should remain in their residence to the extent possible and should refrain from traveling in and through Seattle," she added.