Oakland braces for possible riots as Mehserle verdict approaches
Regardless of the verdict, demonstrations are expected downtown
SAN FRANCISCO — Police are bracing for riots in Oakland, California as a verdict nears in a racially-charged murder trial of a white former police officer accused of killing an unarmed black man....
"We anticipate that regardless of the verdict reached by the jury, demonstrations could occur in downtown Oakland, and potentially throughout the city," one of the messages said. "We will not tolerate destruction or violence. We live here, and we love Oakland. We understand that the community is grieving, and we are in this together. We will get through this together."
...The jury could begin deliberating late Friday. ...Mehserle is accused of fatally shooting an unarmed man on a California train platform on New Year's Day last year.
...Bay Area Rapid Transit police were called to Oakland's Fruitvale station January 1, 2009, after passengers complained about fights on a train. Officers pulled several men, including Grant, off the train when it arrived at Fruitvale.
The video showed Mehserle pulling his gun and fatally shooting Grant in the back as another officer kneeled on the unarmed Grant. Mehserle has said at the trial that he intended to draw and fire his Taser rather than his gun, KTVU reported....
I recall the a conversation I had with a friend who was living in LA during the Rodney King trials. After the first trial his boss told everyone in the office “If you have to drive through South Central leave now…” Fast forward to the second King trial he and his girlfriend had moved their valuables out of their place, they kept at least a ½ tank of gas in their car, planned to evacuate to another city outside of LA if a riot broke out. I just said that is no way to live. Fortunately he no longer lives anywhere near LA anymore. Unfortunately a lot of people live there in Oakland and a lot of people will start rioting now matter what the verdict. Again, that’s no way to live.
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