Oakland Police Shooting Protest Ends In Violence
Some of those protesting the death of Oscar J. Grant III damage businesses and cars. A former transit police officer is charged in the case.By Maria L. La Ganga and Maura Dolan
January 16, 2009
A demonstration outside Oakland City Hall to protest a shooting of an unarmed man in the back by a transit police officer ended violently after a group began damaging businesses and cars.
Hundreds of people gathered at City Hall on Wednesday and marched to the Alameda County Courthouse, shouting, "We will march, we will chant, until there's justice for Oscar Grant!" and "I am Oscar Grant!" Organizers also called for the resignation of county Dist. Atty. Tom Orloff, doubting his ability to successfully prosecute accused police officers. Police in riot gear were out in force.
The shooting of Oscar Grant, a 22-year-old African American, by a 27-year-old white officer who recently resigned also sparked a protest a week ago that ended in more than 100 arrests and scores of damaged buildings and torched cars in downtown Oakland.
Addressing the group on Oak Street between the courthouse and the county administration building, Grant's grandfather rejoiced that "they got the man who killed my grandson." Oscar Grant Sr. also beseeched the crowd to "keep peace."
But despite his plea, the demonstration ended violently after a small group splintered off and damaged local businesses and several cars parked along the streets.
Johannes Mehserle was arrested Tuesday night in Zephyr Cove, Nev., nearly a week after resigning from the Bay Area Rapid Transit District police force in the wake of the New Year's Day shooting death of Oscar J. Grant III, authorities said Wednesday.
"At this point, what I feel the evidence indicates is an unlawful killing done by an intentional act," Orloff said Wednesday in announcing a murder charge against Mehserle in the case.
Legal experts said it was rare for an officer to be charged with murder in connection with an on-duty shooting, and that convictions are difficult.
Mehserle's attorney, Christopher Miller, said he expected that his client would eventually be cleared of the charges arising from "that chaotic night."
Mehserle "was a fine young officer with an excellent work history," Miller said at a Sacramento news conference, adding that "this case is not just about a video."
The shooting occurred two weeks ago, early on New Year's morning. Grant and his friends were heading home to the East Bay aboard a BART train after celebrating New Year's Eve in San Francisco when a fight broke out between two groups of riders. BART police met the train at Oakland's Fruitvale station and demanded that passengers disembark.
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