Court Set On Fire And Police Windows Shattered In Oakland Protest

OAKLAND, CA — Hundreds of people converged on Downtown Oakland Saturday night to protest against racial injustice and show solidarity with protesters in Portland, Oregon. However, the demonstration turned violent, at times, with protestors vandalizing the police station and attempting to set the Alameda County Superior Courthouse on fire.

According to the Oakland Police Department, part of the group of protesters who marched through downtown Oakland hours before broke into two groups targeting the police station and courthouse. The police station windows were shattered, and the fire department was called to put out the courthouse fite.

An Oakland Fire Department spokesperson confirmed late Saturday evening that there was a one-alarm fire at the courthouse, but that the small fire was quickly extinguished. There were no further details provided.

Oakland Police took to Twitter to repeatedly warn the crowd to disperse.

"We are asking agitators to stop throwing items and pointing lasers at the officers at 7th & Broadway," the department tweeted. "An estimated 700 people took part in Saturday nights protest. There was vandalism and multiple small fires in the downtown area. Several people were arrested."

The protest started as a peaceful march through the streets of downtown Oakland Saturday evening to show support for the ongoing protests continuing in Portland since George Floyd's death nearly two months ago. It was one of several protests Saturday across the nation including a demonstration in Los Angeles that also turned violent. The event began at 7:30 p.m. at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza at 14th Street and Broadway in Oakland, according to organizers which included the Wall of Moms Bay Area, Refuse Fascism Bay Area and Vigil for Democracy.

The Wall of Moms group encouraged participants to wear yellow and bring sunflowers. All participants were told to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Live video showing hundreds of marchers was posted on the moms group Facebook page.

Bay City News and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.