Oakland Rioters Arrested – Police Shooting of BART Passenger Causes Continued Unrest

By Sarah Harper

Published on January 14, 2009

On Wednesday night in Oakland, protests turned riotous as residents demonstrated against a police officer's fatal shooting of a BART passenger earlier this month. According to The Mercury News, police arrested at least 105 individuals who participated in the riots.

The protesters confronted Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums on the steps of city hall, smashed businesses and set fires in downtown Oakland, and burned cars. Among victims of the riots were local business owners and individuals sympathetic to the protesters' cause. Police responded to the riots by patrolling the streets in riot gear. They arrested numerous rioters for charges including arson, assault on a police officer, vandalism, looting, and other charges.

Protesters congregated in response to the death of Oscar Grant, 22, who was shot on New Year's Day by a BART police officer in an Oakland subway station. The shooting is under investigation as an act of unnecessary force.

The investigation of the case is in-process, and is expected to be totally prepared in about two weeks, according to the County's District Attorney.

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