Oakland Anticipates Presidential Inauguration Day Gatherings & Demonstrations

From the City of Oakland: This week, Oakland—like many cities across the country—will likely be the location of planned and spontaneous demonstrations, rallies and marches before and after Presidential Inauguration Day on Friday, January 20. We anticipate that there may be a number of smaller events and gatherings throughout the week, with most of the activity and larger crowds expected Friday, January 20 and Saturday, January 21.

We are providing this information to raise community awareness about these events so that you may plan ahead and stay tuned for updates; we do not wish to alarm anyone. Please share this information with your employees, neighbors and tenants.

On Friday, January 20, demonstrations are anticipated to begin around 7 am at the Federal Building on Clay Street downtown and continue throughout the day. A number of rallies and marches have been announced for 12 noon at Frank Ogawa Plaza, which could include student walk-outs from UC Berkeley and schools across the city that could culminate at the Plaza.

Initial information suggests that the intent of some event organizers is to disrupt traffic, commerce and business as usual, particularly on Friday, Inauguration Day. Oakland Police Department (OPD) staff members have been in touch with some, but not all, event organizers and will continue to monitor the situation.

On Saturday, January 21, thousands of people from around the Bay Area are expected to participate in a Women’s March occurring in three Bay Area cities: San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose. The events in Oakland and San Jose are scheduled to begin at 10 am; the march in San Francisco is slated for 3 pm. The organizers of this event have obtained a permit from OPD and have a designated route. Participants will:

• Gather at 9th & Madison near the Lake Merritt BART Station

• March on the west side of Lake Merritt along Lakeside Drive to Harrison St

• Turn left on West Grand to Broadway

• Turn left down Broadway to Frank Ogawa Plaza

Throughout the week, the City of Oakland will be prepared with staff and resources to facilitate expressions of free speech, while also maintaining peace and safety for residents and staff, and protecting property.

The Oakland Police Department is prepared to address any criminal behavior that would damage property or jeopardize the safety of the public or police officers.Individuals engaging in such behavior are subject to arrest and prosecution.

Traffic and transit could be intermittently disrupted by marches and demonstrations. OPD will facilitate traffic to ensure pedestrian and vehicular safety. For up-to-date transit information, visit www.511.org or call 511.

Please consider these safety tips:

• Be sure your business and home are well lit. Good lighting increases visibility—and also increases the effectiveness of any video surveillance system.

• If possible, park your car in a secure, off-street location.

• Bring in your trash receptacles or secure them.

• Bring in any outdoor furniture, signs, flower pots or other unsecured fixtures that could be used to break a window.

• If you have a surveillance system, be sure it is in good working order and is turned on. Save recordings to help document criminal activity.

We will keep you informed if information develops that would impact our businesses and our community.

Sincerely, Sabrina Landreth, City Administrator

How to Stay Informed
The City will use a variety of communication channels to keep the community informed:

• Subscribe for NIXLE Alerts Text your zip code to 888777 to opt-in or visit here.

• Subscribe to Email or Text Alerts Enter your email address in the “Email Updates” section on the City’s home page here. To receive wireless alerts via mobile phone, check the “Send Wireless Alerts to this address” box.

• Twitter For general City of Oakland news, follow @Oakland For public safety news, follow OPD @oaklandpoliceca.

• Transit Updates Visit www.511.org or call 511 for up-to-date traffic and transit information.

• BART Call (510) 465-2278 or visit www.bart.gov. Sign up for mobile service alerts here.

Emergency Assistance:

• From a landline: call 911

• From a cell phone: call (510) 777-3211 (pre-program this number now so it is handy in an emergency)

Anonymously Report Suspicious or Illegal Activity:

• Call OPD’s anonymous toll-free tip hotline: (855) TIPS-247 (855-847-7247)

• Text TIP OAKLANDPD to 888777 from your text-enabled cell phone

• Go to here to anonymously submit photos of illegal activity using the online submission form

Simple Tips for Everyday Safety: View everyday tips for business safety here. For tips in Chinese go here and go here for tips in Spanish.

Image via Pixabay