Berkeley Cops Attack Anti-Racist Demonstration
Protests Across the Nation Over Eric Garner Case
NIGHTLY NEWS
At least two officers were injured as demonstrations over police killings turned violent in California overnight, with protesters smashing windows and hurling rocks at cops, according to authorities. Berkeley Police said officers used smoke and tear gas after crowds refused to disperse. What started out as a peaceful protest devolved into chaos when "splinter groups broke off and began hurling bricks, pipe, smoke grenades, and other missiles at officers," according to Berkeley Police spokeswoman Jennifer Coats.
She said "numerous officers" were struck and that one officer who was struck with a large sandbag was treated for a dislocated shoulder at a local hospital. Protesters vandalized cars, smashing windows and looting businesses, according to Coats, who said a Trader Joe's, a Radio Shack and a Wells Fargo Bank were vandalized along with "numerous" police cars.
The local police department was reinforced by more than a hundred officers from other local police departments, highway patrol and the county sheriff's office. Coats was not immediately able to say how many injuries and arrests had taken place given the situation was ongoing.
Thousands of demonstrators have turned out in U.S. daily since Wednesday's decision by a grand jury not to indict white police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner. Garner died after being wrestled to the ground in what has been described as a chokehold; his last words — "I can't breath" — have been a rallying cry for protests.
At least one protester was lightly injured when a car drove into a demonstration on Saturday night in Riverside, California, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Protesters take to the streets of Berkeley; looting, broken windows reported
BY CHLOEE WEINER
STAFF
Berkeley Police Department officers threw smoke bombs, deployed tear gas and formed barricades on major Downtown Berkeley streets Saturday night as individuals among a demonstration against recent grand jury decisions shattered shop windows and blocked traffic.
The demonstrators — forming a crowd that at its peak contained approximately 1,000 participants — began their initially peaceful march at about 5 p.m. on campus at Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue. They protested the decisions not to indict the police officers involved in the deaths of Michael Brown, a black man shot by a white officer in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, who died after a New York officer put him in a chokehold.
They also denounced the death of Kayla Moore, a transgender woman who died in police custody in Berkeley last year, and the alleged abduction of 43 students by police in Mexico.
Initially, a few officers followed the demonstrators on bicycles. But a confrontation between protesters and police officers began shortly after the crowd gathered in front of the Berkeley Police Department at around 6 p.m., chanting “hands up, don’t shoot” and “no justice, no peace.” Others chanted “Who killed Kayla Moore? Berkeley PD.” Eventually, more than a hundred police officers formed barricades.
Protesters broke several shop windows and vandalized stores along University Avenue, Trader Joe’s, Wells Fargo and Radio Shack. One officer suffered minor injuries after people in the crowd threw rocks and other objects at police, according to BPD spokesperson Officer Jennifer Coats.
Earlier in the afternoon, several businesses, including Urban Outfitters and American Apparel, boarded up their windows in preparation for the march.
As of 7:45 p.m., police had formed another barricade on Delaware Street and San Pablo Avenue. The protesters as of about 8 p.m. were blocking traffic on University Avenue and Acton Street.
As of 9:30 p.m., more than 100 police officers from Berkeley and Oakland police departments blocked the intersection of Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue. The crowd of protesters had swelled to about 200 and included UC Berkeley students.
Police proceeded to push protesters back on Telegraph and Durant avenues, to which protestors chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, police state has got to go.” Police later surged at the crowd and began putting on gas masks.
About 10:30 p.m., police deployed tear gas. More than 100 protesters were dispersed along Telegraph Avenue, and others called to regroup at People’s Park.
According to an update from Coats about 11 p.m., a small group from the original demonstration continued to march around Telegraph Avenue and 66th Street, throwing rocks, bricks and other objects at officers. The police issued multiple dispersal orders. Two officers have been injured — one of whom required treatment at a hospital — and a police van has allegedly been vandalized.
Berkeley police received support from more than a hundred officers from the Oakland, Pleasanton, Hayward and Alameda police departments, in addition to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and BART Police Department, according to Coats.
At about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police were pushing about 100 protestors south on Telegraph Avenue. As of approximately an hour before, police did not yet have a count of the total number of arrests or injuries.
Staff writer Jessie Lau contributed to this report.
Chloee Weiner is an assistant news editor. Contact her at cweiner@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter @_chloeew .
Protest Of Chokehold Death Turns Violent In Berkeley
By VERENA DOBNIK
Posted: 12/07/2014 3:23 am EST
NEW YORK (AP) -- Protests of a grand jury's decision not to indict a white police officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man continued around the country, and authorities said a march in California turned violent when masked demonstrators smashed windows and threw objects at police.
A Berkeley police officer received hospital treatment for a shoulder injury, while another sustained minor injuries after some of the protesters threw rocks and other projectiles, spokeswoman officer Jenn Coats said.
She said several businesses were looted and damaged during the march, and officers attempting to get the crowd do disperse used tear gas. There have been no reports of any arrests.
Thousands of demonstrators have protested peacefully in New York and elsewhere since the announcement Wednesday that a grand jury would not indict a white officer in the death of Eric Garner, a black man who gasped "I can't breathe" while he was being arrested for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. The decision closely followed a Missouri grand jury's choice not to indict a white officer in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old.
The scope of the demonstrations and the lack of violence were moving to Garner's mother and widow, they said Saturday.
"It is just so awesome to see how the crowds are out there," said Eric Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, who added that she ended up stuck in her car after protests shut down traffic.
"I was just so proud of that crowd," Carr said. "It just warmed my heart."
Garner's widow, Esaw Garner, said she saw demonstrators from her apartment window and told her son, "Look at all the love that your father's getting."
Officers have said the outcry over the grand jury decision has left them feeling betrayed and demonized by everyone from the president and the mayor to throngs of protesters who scream at them on the street.
"Police officers feel like they are being thrown under the bus," said Patrick Lynch, president of the police union.
Garner's family members joined the Rev. Al Sharpton later Saturday as Sharpton laid a wreath at the site on Staten Island where Garner died July 17 in a confrontation that started when police tried to arrest him.
An amateur video seen by millions showed Garner gasping, "I can't breathe" during the fatal encounter.
"All we're concerned about is justice from the police," said Garner's stepfather, Benjamin Carr, who wore a T-shirt with the words, "Enough is enough."
Protests continued in New York City for a fourth day with several dozen people lying down on the floor of Grand Central Terminal and marching into stores in Times Square. There were no reports of arrests.
Protests have also been held in Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas and a number of other cities.
In Seattle, several hundred people marched downtown to police headquarters Saturday. Authorities said a group then split off from the main protest and tried to get onto a roadway. Police say some protesters threw rocks at officers who blocked them from entering it. Seven were arrested.
Sharpton announced plans this week for a march in Washington, D.C., next Saturday to protest the killings of Garner, Brown and others and to press for change at the federal level.
Masked protesters smash windows, injure 2 officers in Berkeley, California
By Faith Karimi and Joe Sutton, CNN
updated 7:58 AM EST, Sun December 7, 2014
Source: CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Eric Garner's mother to protesters: "Keep on doing it, but do it in peace"
In California, some smash windows at nearby businesses
Protests continue after a grand jury did not indict the officer who put Garner in a fatal chokehold
(CNN) -- Protests turned violent in northern California early Sunday when some masked demonstrators smashed windows while others pelted officers with rocks and bottles, authorities said.
Police said about 200 people were on Berkeley streets for another day of protests over a grand jury decision not to indict New York City Officer Daniel Pantaleo for Eric Garner's death on July 17.
But as some broke windows at businesses in the city, other protesters implored them to stop the violence.
Police in riot gear lined the streets while others hovered nearby on motorbikes. They warned crowds to disperse, but some vandalized various businesses, including a Trader Joe's and a Wells Fargo Bank, police said.
Authorities used teargas to break up the crowds, said Jennifer Coats, a spokeswoman for the Berkeley Police Department.
"A small portion of protesters have been violent. They started throwing rocks and other projectiles at our officers," Coats said.
Two officers suffered minor injuries as a result, including one who was treated for a dislocated shoulder.
Nationwide protests
Protesters have taken to the streets nationwide, outraged over the decision not to bring charges against Pantaleo, whose chockhold led to Garner's death.
"What's happening in these cities in these last several days is incredibly important to show we have a unified voice," said Judi Flournoy, who was participating in a New York protest.
Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, has urged demonstrators to "keep on doing it, but do it in peace."
In New York, the victim's widow, Esaw Garner Snipes, has said watching the mass of demonstrators from her Staten Island home brings tears to her eyes. She said she told her son, "Look at all the love your father is getting."
On Saturday, dozens of protesters staged "die ins" -- lying down on the ground in memory of Garner -- at Grand Central Station in Manhattan and Union Station in Washington.
Meanwhile, New York officials said complaints against police officers fell significantly in the second half of the year, compared with July to November 2013.
A report that tallied complaints said 1,813 were made so far since July 1 of this year, 26% fewer than the number of complaints filed with the Civilian Complaint Review Board in the same period of the prior year. Excessive force allegations fell by 29%.
The dip followed a slight rise in the first six months of the year, the report said. But overall, allegations have declined in 2014.
 |
| Police attack anti-racist demonstration in Berkeley, California. |
NIGHTLY NEWS
At least two officers were injured as demonstrations over police killings turned violent in California overnight, with protesters smashing windows and hurling rocks at cops, according to authorities. Berkeley Police said officers used smoke and tear gas after crowds refused to disperse. What started out as a peaceful protest devolved into chaos when "splinter groups broke off and began hurling bricks, pipe, smoke grenades, and other missiles at officers," according to Berkeley Police spokeswoman Jennifer Coats.
She said "numerous officers" were struck and that one officer who was struck with a large sandbag was treated for a dislocated shoulder at a local hospital. Protesters vandalized cars, smashing windows and looting businesses, according to Coats, who said a Trader Joe's, a Radio Shack and a Wells Fargo Bank were vandalized along with "numerous" police cars.
The local police department was reinforced by more than a hundred officers from other local police departments, highway patrol and the county sheriff's office. Coats was not immediately able to say how many injuries and arrests had taken place given the situation was ongoing.
Thousands of demonstrators have turned out in U.S. daily since Wednesday's decision by a grand jury not to indict white police officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of Eric Garner. Garner died after being wrestled to the ground in what has been described as a chokehold; his last words — "I can't breath" — have been a rallying cry for protests.
At least one protester was lightly injured when a car drove into a demonstration on Saturday night in Riverside, California, according to NBC Los Angeles.
Protesters take to the streets of Berkeley; looting, broken windows reported
BY CHLOEE WEINER
STAFF
Berkeley Police Department officers threw smoke bombs, deployed tear gas and formed barricades on major Downtown Berkeley streets Saturday night as individuals among a demonstration against recent grand jury decisions shattered shop windows and blocked traffic.
The demonstrators — forming a crowd that at its peak contained approximately 1,000 participants — began their initially peaceful march at about 5 p.m. on campus at Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue. They protested the decisions not to indict the police officers involved in the deaths of Michael Brown, a black man shot by a white officer in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner, who died after a New York officer put him in a chokehold.
They also denounced the death of Kayla Moore, a transgender woman who died in police custody in Berkeley last year, and the alleged abduction of 43 students by police in Mexico.
Initially, a few officers followed the demonstrators on bicycles. But a confrontation between protesters and police officers began shortly after the crowd gathered in front of the Berkeley Police Department at around 6 p.m., chanting “hands up, don’t shoot” and “no justice, no peace.” Others chanted “Who killed Kayla Moore? Berkeley PD.” Eventually, more than a hundred police officers formed barricades.
Protesters broke several shop windows and vandalized stores along University Avenue, Trader Joe’s, Wells Fargo and Radio Shack. One officer suffered minor injuries after people in the crowd threw rocks and other objects at police, according to BPD spokesperson Officer Jennifer Coats.
Earlier in the afternoon, several businesses, including Urban Outfitters and American Apparel, boarded up their windows in preparation for the march.
As of 7:45 p.m., police had formed another barricade on Delaware Street and San Pablo Avenue. The protesters as of about 8 p.m. were blocking traffic on University Avenue and Acton Street.
As of 9:30 p.m., more than 100 police officers from Berkeley and Oakland police departments blocked the intersection of Bancroft Way and Telegraph Avenue. The crowd of protesters had swelled to about 200 and included UC Berkeley students.
Police proceeded to push protesters back on Telegraph and Durant avenues, to which protestors chanted, “Hey hey, ho ho, police state has got to go.” Police later surged at the crowd and began putting on gas masks.
About 10:30 p.m., police deployed tear gas. More than 100 protesters were dispersed along Telegraph Avenue, and others called to regroup at People’s Park.
According to an update from Coats about 11 p.m., a small group from the original demonstration continued to march around Telegraph Avenue and 66th Street, throwing rocks, bricks and other objects at officers. The police issued multiple dispersal orders. Two officers have been injured — one of whom required treatment at a hospital — and a police van has allegedly been vandalized.
Berkeley police received support from more than a hundred officers from the Oakland, Pleasanton, Hayward and Alameda police departments, in addition to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, California Highway Patrol and BART Police Department, according to Coats.
At about 12:30 a.m. Sunday, police were pushing about 100 protestors south on Telegraph Avenue. As of approximately an hour before, police did not yet have a count of the total number of arrests or injuries.
Staff writer Jessie Lau contributed to this report.
Chloee Weiner is an assistant news editor. Contact her at cweiner@dailycal.org and follow her on Twitter @_chloeew .
Protest Of Chokehold Death Turns Violent In Berkeley
By VERENA DOBNIK
Posted: 12/07/2014 3:23 am EST
NEW YORK (AP) -- Protests of a grand jury's decision not to indict a white police officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man continued around the country, and authorities said a march in California turned violent when masked demonstrators smashed windows and threw objects at police.
A Berkeley police officer received hospital treatment for a shoulder injury, while another sustained minor injuries after some of the protesters threw rocks and other projectiles, spokeswoman officer Jenn Coats said.
She said several businesses were looted and damaged during the march, and officers attempting to get the crowd do disperse used tear gas. There have been no reports of any arrests.
Thousands of demonstrators have protested peacefully in New York and elsewhere since the announcement Wednesday that a grand jury would not indict a white officer in the death of Eric Garner, a black man who gasped "I can't breathe" while he was being arrested for selling loose, untaxed cigarettes. The decision closely followed a Missouri grand jury's choice not to indict a white officer in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old.
The scope of the demonstrations and the lack of violence were moving to Garner's mother and widow, they said Saturday.
"It is just so awesome to see how the crowds are out there," said Eric Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, who added that she ended up stuck in her car after protests shut down traffic.
"I was just so proud of that crowd," Carr said. "It just warmed my heart."
Garner's widow, Esaw Garner, said she saw demonstrators from her apartment window and told her son, "Look at all the love that your father's getting."
Officers have said the outcry over the grand jury decision has left them feeling betrayed and demonized by everyone from the president and the mayor to throngs of protesters who scream at them on the street.
"Police officers feel like they are being thrown under the bus," said Patrick Lynch, president of the police union.
Garner's family members joined the Rev. Al Sharpton later Saturday as Sharpton laid a wreath at the site on Staten Island where Garner died July 17 in a confrontation that started when police tried to arrest him.
An amateur video seen by millions showed Garner gasping, "I can't breathe" during the fatal encounter.
"All we're concerned about is justice from the police," said Garner's stepfather, Benjamin Carr, who wore a T-shirt with the words, "Enough is enough."
Protests continued in New York City for a fourth day with several dozen people lying down on the floor of Grand Central Terminal and marching into stores in Times Square. There were no reports of arrests.
Protests have also been held in Philadelphia, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas and a number of other cities.
In Seattle, several hundred people marched downtown to police headquarters Saturday. Authorities said a group then split off from the main protest and tried to get onto a roadway. Police say some protesters threw rocks at officers who blocked them from entering it. Seven were arrested.
Sharpton announced plans this week for a march in Washington, D.C., next Saturday to protest the killings of Garner, Brown and others and to press for change at the federal level.
Masked protesters smash windows, injure 2 officers in Berkeley, California
By Faith Karimi and Joe Sutton, CNN
updated 7:58 AM EST, Sun December 7, 2014
Source: CNN
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Eric Garner's mother to protesters: "Keep on doing it, but do it in peace"
In California, some smash windows at nearby businesses
Protests continue after a grand jury did not indict the officer who put Garner in a fatal chokehold
(CNN) -- Protests turned violent in northern California early Sunday when some masked demonstrators smashed windows while others pelted officers with rocks and bottles, authorities said.
Police said about 200 people were on Berkeley streets for another day of protests over a grand jury decision not to indict New York City Officer Daniel Pantaleo for Eric Garner's death on July 17.
But as some broke windows at businesses in the city, other protesters implored them to stop the violence.
Police in riot gear lined the streets while others hovered nearby on motorbikes. They warned crowds to disperse, but some vandalized various businesses, including a Trader Joe's and a Wells Fargo Bank, police said.
Authorities used teargas to break up the crowds, said Jennifer Coats, a spokeswoman for the Berkeley Police Department.
"A small portion of protesters have been violent. They started throwing rocks and other projectiles at our officers," Coats said.
Two officers suffered minor injuries as a result, including one who was treated for a dislocated shoulder.
Nationwide protests
Protesters have taken to the streets nationwide, outraged over the decision not to bring charges against Pantaleo, whose chockhold led to Garner's death.
"What's happening in these cities in these last several days is incredibly important to show we have a unified voice," said Judi Flournoy, who was participating in a New York protest.
Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, has urged demonstrators to "keep on doing it, but do it in peace."
In New York, the victim's widow, Esaw Garner Snipes, has said watching the mass of demonstrators from her Staten Island home brings tears to her eyes. She said she told her son, "Look at all the love your father is getting."
On Saturday, dozens of protesters staged "die ins" -- lying down on the ground in memory of Garner -- at Grand Central Station in Manhattan and Union Station in Washington.
Meanwhile, New York officials said complaints against police officers fell significantly in the second half of the year, compared with July to November 2013.
A report that tallied complaints said 1,813 were made so far since July 1 of this year, 26% fewer than the number of complaints filed with the Civilian Complaint Review Board in the same period of the prior year. Excessive force allegations fell by 29%.
The dip followed a slight rise in the first six months of the year, the report said. But overall, allegations have declined in 2014.
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