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Peaceful protest in Virginia Beach, but dozens of arrests made

More than two dozen people were arrested in the protest at Virginia Beach Town Center, but the rally was peaceful overall.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Virginia Beach officials put out an early Tuesday morning update about the second night of protests in their city.

Protesters took to Town Center Monday evening to decry the death of George Floyd, who died in Minneapolis police custody after former officer Derek Chauvin pinned him down by the neck with his knee for nine minutes.

As of midnight, officials say no one was hurt and no property was damaged during any of the demonstrations at Town Center. Police did arrest 26 people, but haven't released details on what they've been charged with.

This follows a very different scene at the Oceanfront Sunday night where a demonstration quickly descended into mayhem. A small number of people interrupted a peaceful march to set fires, fire guns into shops, smash storefront windows and vandalize other businesses and property lining Atlantic Avenue.

Police deescalated the situation by firing tear gas to break up the rioting groups. Police arrested 19 people that night.

Leaders of Black Lives Matter 757 said the destruction wasn't at their hands, but the fault of outsiders. They issued a statement on Monday saying they wanted to help Oceanfront businesses recover from any damage they sustained during the Sunday night protests.

RELATED: Police chiefs talk peaceful protests in Hampton Roads, while Virginia Beach protest organizer speaks out

RELATED: Black Lives Matter 757 wants to help businesses affected by protest at Oceanfront

Nearly 50 businesses and properties were vandalized during the demonstration.

In order to prevent similar scenes from breaking out through the week, Governor Northam approved the city's request for a curfew and issued a curfew starting Monday, June 1 and ending Thursday, June 4 for all of Virginia Beach. The curfew starts at 8 p.m. and ends at 6 a.m.

Officials say about 100 people were still gathered at Town Center after 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Police had to shut down roads, but were able to clear the area after several hours.

RELATED: Businesses, other property heavily damaged during George Floyd protest at Virginia Beach Oceanfront

RELATED: Strong police presence at Oceanfront after protest brings chaos, fires, tear gas

Northam issued a state of emergency for all of Virginia over the weekend, which allowed cities to call in the National Guard if needed and provided aid to different localities in order to bolster their protest response efforts.

RELATED: Protesters march onto I-264 in Norfolk, others break curfew in Virginia Beach

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RELATED: Curfew declared in Virginia Beach

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