Hundreds of Oakland protesters set fires, break windows vandalize stores after Jacob Blake death
HUNDREDS of Oakland protesters set fires, broke windows, and vandalized stores after two men died during protests over the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Pictures show the escalated demonstrations following the deaths of Joseph Rosenbaum and Anthony Huber, who were shot on Tuesday night in Kenosha, Wisconsin, as a gunman opened fire on a crowd of protesters.
Pictures shared by Oakland Police Department show a damaged car, a business with windows smashed, and fires in the California streets.
Oakland Police said in a statement that “600-700 people took part in violent & destructive protests” on Wednesday night.
Officials said “numerous fires” were set, “dozens of windows” were broken, and “multiple businesses” were vandalized.
Cops alleged that some demonstrators “threw objects at officers,” but no cops were injured.
Police said they made several arrests.
A video shared by police showed a fire burning at Alameda County Superior Court.
Police alleged some agitators were yelling “BURN IT DOWN” as they started fireworks and lit trashcans on fire.
Protesters caused traffic to temporarily halt as they marched on the off-ramp from Interstate 580 and continued to throw objects at cops around 11pm, SFGate reported.
The escalated demonstrations came after the City of Oakland urged protestors to remain peaceful.
“We celebrate passionate protest, but remind Oaklanders that when they attend protests after dark they may be providing cover for agitators who are more intent on vandalism and stoking civil unrest than advancing social justice,” the city said in a statement.
People who organized the demonstrations and local residents begged for protests to remain peaceful, KNTV reported.
“All these people are resting in peace, make it be peaceful. Stop tearing up our city and places where we have to live,” one resident said.
The renewed energy in Black Lives Matter demonstrations comes after a man allegedly opened fire on a crowd of protesters in Kenosha.
Demonstrations have been ongoing in the Wisconsin city for days, following the shooting of Jacob Blake.
Blake’s fiance, Laquisha Booker, said her kids “screamed” in the car while a cop shot at Jacob.
Following the shooting, Blake has been left permanently paralyzed.
On Tuesday night, a gunman – identified now as 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse – allegedly shot at a crowd, killing two people and injuring at least one other.
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Rosenbaum, 36, and Huber, 26, died after the horrifying incident.
Protest organizer Maricruz Lopez said the violence in Wisconsin renewed demonstration efforts, KNTV reported.
“The best way to defeat these racists and that these racist shootings in Kenosha don’t happen again is if we stay in the streets,” Lopez said.