1 Arrest In Biden Effigy Protests, Home Vandalized: Brentwood PD

BRENTWOOD, CA — One arrest was made and police were working to track down vandalism suspects after hundreds of demonstrators turned out two nights in a row to protest an effigy of President-Elect Joe Biden.

Brentwood police initially responded Thursday morning to a report about a mannequin with the words "Sleepy Joe (Cheater)" — an apparent reference to a nickname President Donald Trump has said about his opponent in the Nov. 3 presidential election — written in black marker on a cardboard sign.

In a statement posted Thursday afternoon to Facebook, Brentwood police said the mannequin was hanging from a rope from the second story of a home off Garin Parkway. Officers spoke with the homeowner who agreed to take it down, police said.

Officers documented the incident with a report and photos that were shared with the Contra Costa County District's Attorney's Office and the U.S. Secret Service.

"The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office confirmed that this act was not criminal, further stating offensive expression is protected under the First Amendment," police said Thursday.

Although Brentwood police initially shared photos of the effigy on its Facebook page, they decided to take the pictures down.

But by that time, the photos had already surfaced on some social media pages and community websites, according to Brentwood police Lt. Walter O'Grodnick.

Thursday night, some 40-50 people showed up on Garin Parkway to demonstrate against the effigy and how it was handled by the Brentwood Police Department.

The protesters marched to the home where the effigy had hung hours earlier.

"Acts of vandalism took place, but no arrests were made Thursday evening," O'Grodnick told Patch.

The following night, 80-100 demonstrators showed up. They met at Brentwood City Park on Oak Street, then marched southbound toward the Brentwood Police Department before once again walking toward the home off Garin Parkway, O'Grodnick said.

One arrest was made Friday night for suspected battery of a police officer when a demonstrator struck an officer with a stick, O'Grodnick said.

Neither the suspect nor the officer was injured, nor was anyone else seriously injured as a result of the demonstrations, O'Grodnick told Patch.

The lieutenant said officers were there to support what were mostly peaceful protests.

Brentwood police have video of the vandalism Thursday night and were working to identify the suspects, the lieutenant said.

"We support peaceful protests but law enforcement won't tolerate destructive behavior," O'Grodnick said.