(INDIANAPOLIS) – Governor Eric Holcomb took action on Sunday to protect Hoosiers, properties and businesses.

The actions followed two nights of violence, which came after peaceful protests that were held in Indiana.

Holcomb signed Executive Order 20-29 to lift restrictions on local declarations of emergency that had been instituted as part of the stay at home and back on track orders pertaining to COVID-19. The order allows local governments to place more stringent travel restrictions than the state has in place.

The Governor also directed members of the Indiana National Guard to be on standby to assist communities across the state, if requested. Holcomb verbally activated the Indiana National Guard Reactionary Force company to be available to assist local communities on Saturday, but no deployment was requested.

Holcomb also ordered members of the Guard, supported by the Indiana State Police, to establish a presence at state properties in Indianapolis to protect them from further damage.

The Governor says organized protests took place across the state without incident, but the events that followed, particularly in Indianapolis, have devastated businesses, defaced public monuments that are centuries old, and resulted in loss of life.