SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- La Mesa residents and local business supporters didn't waste time rebuilding their community Sunday morning following a long night of violent protests that left several cars and buildings destroyed.
Good Samaritans armed with brooms and paint brushes worked quickly to restore walls inscribed with graffiti and sweep streets strewn with debris.
Only hours earlier, hundreds of rioters descended on the small La Mesa Village business district setting fire to numerous vehicles and buildings including a bank, and looting business.
"Our small businesses are devastated and many were already on the brink due to COVID19. La Mesa Village has been the heart of small business in the city and is a beautiful place for dining, events and memories," wrote Phil Ortiz on a fundraiser page.
Ortiz'a gofundme page has already received over $11,000 in donations. The goal is to raise $50,000.
"All proceeds will go directly to small businesses that were destroyed or damaged," Ortiz wrote on the page.
Saturday's protests started with a mostly peaceful march that drew over a thousand protesters. The calm ended when the large group gathered outside of the La Mesa Police Department and began attacking a bear cat vehicle that was brought in to help disperse the crowd.
Looters struck a Walmart, Target, Vons and several stores in the La Mesa Springs Shopping Center.
La Mesa officials have issued a citywide curfew for Sunday night effective 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Supervisor Dianne Jacob sent out the following statement after the night of sestruction:
My thoughts on the protests and the path forward: I want to acknowledge and thank all those in law enforcement who live by the motto, ‘to protect and serve.’ They have a tough job right now. I want to recognize and thank the many La Mesa residents and others who have peacefully protested... I also want to thank the folks who have stepped up today to clean up La Mesa. The immediate outpouring of support is touching, and it sets the tone for how we need to come together to address these issues.
TO DONATE TO "La Mesa Business Disaster Recovery" CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/la-mesa-business-disaster-recovery
