This morning, Johannes Mehserle was sentenced to two years in state prison for killing Oscar Grant.
After the sentencing, protesters began filtering into downtown Oakland in preparation for a two o’clock rally.
The protests remained relatively peaceful until around 8 p.m., when police declared a crowd of protesters moving down 6th street near E 17th street were assembling unlawfully.
One of the major turning points, according to KRON 4 News, was when one protester grabbed an officer’s gun and allegedly pointed it at the officer. There have been reports of protesters throwing rocks and bottles at officers, as well as one officer being hit by a car, according to Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts.
Most protesters cooperated with police officers as arrests took place, though many continued to chant “we are all Oscar Grant” as they were loaded into police vans and taken out of the area.
Where were you during the protests? Are you surprised the rally for Oscar Grant turned in the direction it did despite the heightened police presence in the area?
Please let us know what you are thinking and feeling about Mehserle’s sentence, the rally, protests and outcome of this evening’s events by commenting below or contacting me at sliter@mills.edu.
Check out our Mehserle trial special coverage page in collaboration with California Beat.
