Oakland Cops Arrest 80 in Riots

Protesters angry over transit killing verdict
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 9, 2010 7:01 AM CDT
Oakland Cops Arrest 80 in Riots
Oakland police officers hold a demonstrator.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Oakland police arrested more than 80 people last night following protests by demonstrators who think a white transit cop got off easy for killing a black man. Dozens of stores were vandalized downtown, Dumpster fires raged in the middle of the street, and "Oakland is our amusement park tonight!" was tagged on one building . "This city is not the wild, wild West," said the police chief. "This city will not tolerate this sort of activity." The Oakland Tribune and AP have details on the looting.

No damage estimates have been offered, but the looting appears to be less severe than what happened in 2009 in the immediate aftermath of the killing. Former transit officer Johannes Mehserle was convicted yesterday of involuntary manslaughter for shooting Oscar Grant while he lay face-down. Prosecutors had sought a murder conviction.
(More Oakland stories.)

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