Oakland Crowd Upset with Shooting Verdict

Updated at 12:50 a.m. ET

Oakland police have begun taking people into custody as they move in on a crowd of about 500 people protesting an involuntary manslaughter verdict in the shooting death of an unarmed black man.

The crowd marched Thursday near City Hall after the verdict was read in Los Angeles in the case of former Bay Area Rapid Transit officer Johannes Mehserle in the death of 22-year-old Oscar Grant.

Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts said two to four people had been arrested, but he expected the number to rise.

The arrests come after protesters broke into a Foot Locker near the city's downtown.

Protesters have also set some garbage cans on fire.

Batts said earlier Thursday that one person suffered a leg injury when rocks and bottles were thrown.

A small incendiary device was also set off near police department's downtown station, but caused no damage or injuries.

The chief's briefing came as lines of police in riot gear kept the crowd confined to a two-block area in the city's downtown area.

People stood face-to-face with police officers, who are trying to keep them off the roadway.

Mayor Ron Dellums has pleaded for people to protest peacefully.

[erichsh]

Looting. Violence. Vandalism. Fires. Rocks, stones and bottles. Yes, folks, this is what the media charitably and simply refers to as "civil unrest" - and yet, strangely, it's OK - when it comes to black thugs rioting in the streets. After all, they're just "protesters". Yet they're all over and on top of any perceived act by even a single Tea Party participant that - if it occurs - is used to slander and ridicule the entire movement.

[YourRearViewMirror1]

"Defense attorney Michael Rains contended the shooting was a tragic accident. He cited testimony that his client had inadequate training to prevent weapons confusion and witnesses who said Mehserle appeared to be in shock after shooting Grant."

***************

I will shoot someone with a gun. Then, I will play the 'I am shocked' act. Later in court, I will claim I got absolutely no training to prevent weapons confusion between a Gun and a Fist. I will get 2 years max jail time. Ready for the next one.

Justice Prevails according to Whites.

[6591Hou]

Wow, 500 people - huge protest.

[tsigili]

Then take it out on the courthouse......not on the other people in the town.

We know about all of the problems with our judicial system, but if you just off committing violence for the sake of violence, that isn't targeted, to those who actually committed the injury, then all you have accomplished, is to increase racial prejudice, in the first place.

[pragmatist1]

The criminal element will use any excuse to protest, loot, riot, destroy property, etc. There's also a certain element who is never pleased with any judicial outcome in cases like this; it's always wrong, no matter what, especially when it involves a white and black. It's ironic that these same types never ever protest, riot, loot, destroy property, complain, etc. whenever a street gang member commits a crime and gets what amounts to just a slap on the wrist, especially when it involves a black or brown.

[YourRearViewMirror1]

Just in case some smart blogger ask justice was served since there is no riot.

The Pressure in the Tire jumped yesterday from 15 Pounds to 25 Pounds. The tire pressure must goto 40 Pounds before it will explode into a Real Riot.

See you next time Justice is not Served.

[Overruled1]

Oakland's police chief says a small incendiary device was set off near his department's downtown station as a crowd of about 500 people protest an involuntary manslaughter verdict in the shooting death of an unarmed black man.


The Alameda bomb squad, happened to drive by at the time of the verdict announcement, they probably left the chief a present to give him a boost in his police activities.
I doubt that anyone attempted an incendiary attack in front of the police.