Hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside Oakland City Hall on Friday night to protest police killings and racial injustice.
Protesters marched and rode bicycles through Downtown Oakland, many of whom chanted, “Whose streets? Our streets” and “No ICE, Black and brown must be free.”
The protest happened two days after police said protesters set a fire inside of the Alameda County Superior Court at 1225 Fallon Street in Oakland, shattered windows of multiple businesses and set fire to trash cans. Hundreds of demonstrators had gathered in Oakland on Wednesday night to demand justice in the police shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man who Wisconsin state investigators said was shot multiple times, including in the back, by a white police officer in Kenosha. Blake is paralyzed.
A projection of the phrase “Wakanda Forever” — a nod to Marvel’s Black Panther film — was displayed on a building to honor Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, who died on Friday from cancer. The projection changed momentarily to a number that people can call to learn about registering to vote.
The demonstration comes on the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his iconic, “I have a Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial in 1963.
Noting the anniversary, police urged organizers of the gatherings to “remain peaceful” and said police will “continue to facilitate peaceful protests and demonstrations in our city.”
Police said one person was arrested shortly before 9:30 p.m. for “pointing a laser at officers.” Police said Penal Code 417.25 makes it a misdemeanor crime to use a laser scope or laser pointer “at another person in a threatening manner.” If convicted, police said the person could face up to 30 days in jail.
Police deployed smoke bombs into a crowd near Broadway and 24th Street. One police officer, who did not identify himself to The Chronicle, said police had deployed a flashbang as a way to protect officers who were being assaulted by protesters while trying to arrest someone.
Protesters gathered on Clay Street next to shops at the City Center retail complex and faced a line of police officers, yelling “OPD, back the f — up,” before resuming a march south. A line of police officers followed at the back of the crowd.
Marchers circled more than twice around the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse at 1301 Clay St. as protesters called to shutdown the street. The building’s windows were boarded, and the structure was surrounded by a steel barricade. Some people broke off from the crowd and spray-painted the phrase, “Black Lives” and the symbol for “anarchy.”
Oakland police tweeted that they celebrate “passionate protest” but said, “organized groups that gather with the intent to cause damage harming our city and already vulnerable businesses will not be tolerated.” Police concluded the tweet with the hashtag, “OPDCARES.”
Shortly before 10:30 p.m., Oakland police said a “large group” of protesters were blocking the roadway and marching southbound on Telegraph Avenue near MacArthur Boulevard. Police asked people to avoid the area.
In Sacramento on Friday night, police said protesters were shining lasers toward police officers and motorcycle officers were struck with rocks while monitoring the crowd.
Chronicle staff writer Lauren Hernandez contributed to this story.
Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf
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