Oakland Prepares for Solidarity Protests as Baltimore Unrest Continues

Roughly 100 protesters gathered in the vicinity of Broadway and 14th Street in Oakland this evening in solidarity with demonstrators in Baltimore, carrying signs that say “Rest in Power Freddie Gray.”

Oakland police and California Highway Patrol Officers are currently on the scene. As the group moved around downtown Oakland, around 7:10 p.m CHP officers blocked an on-ramp in the vicinity of Interstate Highway 980 and the interchange with Interstate Highway 880 in an effort to prevent demonstrators from walking onto the highway.

Today’s protests in Baltimore over the in-custody death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray, who died of a spinal injury, prompted Oakland police to increase staffing levels in anticipation of solidarity protests, City of Oakland officials announced this afternoon.

Throughout the day, police in Baltimore have reported that officers were being pelted with rocks and bottles.

Related:

• Credible Threat: Bloods, Crips Among Notorious Gangs Threatening to ‘Take Out’ Cops
• Images of Violence, Fires, Looting as Baltimore Youths Riot
• Baltimore Riots: Fires and Looting Continue Into The Night, State Of Emergency Declared
• State Police, Nearby Counties Respond to Baltimore Riots

Cars have been set on fire and businesses have been looted. Several police officers have been injured, according to authorities. Baltimore police have responded with tear gas and pepper balls, according to media reports.

The city of Baltimore has declared a 10 p.m. curfew tonight and Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency. Fearing a repeat of near-constant protests late last year over the police shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and the death of Eric Garner in New York by a police chokehold, city of Oakland officials say they have directed police resources to areas where “there may be protest activity.”

By Bay City News

Previous protest coverage on California Patch:

• CA Attorney General Harris Announces New Training for Law Enforcement
• Oakland Police Made More Ferguson Protest Arrests Than Any Other City in U.S.
• ‘Blackout Black Friday’ Protesters Arrested After Chaining Themselves, Blocking BART Trains
• UPDATED: Protesters Blocking Traffic on I-5 in La Jolla Walk Off
• Oakland Police Call in Additional Help for Third Night of Protests
• Police Arrest, Cite Protestors Who Blocked Part of I-580, Vandalized Property Tuesday