Rubber bullets, tear gas in Berkeley as police disperse #EricGarner, #Ferguson rally
Protests against police brutality have turned violent in Berkeley, California, as officers are resorting to rubber bullets, flash bang grenades and tear gas in a tense standoff with demonstrators demanding justice.
The scene in this liberal college town remains chaotic Saturday night as reports of injured protesters at the hands of the police begin emerged. The protesters took to the streets to express their anger over a series of high-profile incidences involving the death of black Americans at the hands of white police officers - all of whom were cleared of any wrongdoing by the courts.
According to police, some of the protesters took to more violent methods of expression.
Berkeley California is getting tear gassed. The police have closed downtown Berkeley bart. #ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/g3dEzUNXPd
— Anonymous (@occupythemob) December 7, 2014
"A small portion of protesters have been violent," Jennifer Coats, a spokeswoman for the Berkeley Police Department, told CNN. "They started throwing rocks and other projectiles at our officers. Some officers have suffered minor injuries as a result."
Coats confirmed that one police officer suffered injuries as some of the protesters hurled objects at police positions.
Via @Jayron26: UPDATE: #berkeley Campus flooded with tear gas pic.twitter.com/SJ8Plljkj0. #ICantBreathe#EricGarner#MikeBrown#SHUTITDOWN
— Enough is Enough! (@enough14) December 7, 2014
“RT @violentfanon: More military-style ammunition used against us. #Berkeleypic.twitter.com/cy1V4xFNcr”#msn#cnn
— Eyes Wide Open (@dolphin_LS) December 7, 2014
Several masked protesters hurled projectiles at police in riot gear, while other protesters implored them not to use violence.
Smoke deployed by #Berkeley police. This crowd is 90% white. pic.twitter.com/7yUNGlw3pK
— BLAKE (@B_A_Simons) December 7, 2014
Officials Find Explosive Device Near #EricGarner Protests -#Ferguson - http://t.co/bwrTI6DjOspic.twitter.com/rrXDP7MY1V
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 7, 2014
Police then moved on unmasked protesters at a busy intersection, commanding them to move away. When their orders went unheeded, the police tossed tear gas canisters into the crowd, with some of the protesters hurling the tear gas back at the police.
#Berkeley Police vehicles and more people showing up #ICANTBREATHE | pics @juanmaldape & @Rasheed_Shabazz#ShutItDownpic.twitter.com/gNsf20etCl
— Revolution News (@NewsRevo) December 7, 2014
"@elizasuppal: That weaponry for a peaceful protest. Why? #Berkeley#Ferguson2Calpic.twitter.com/RgeGhbiTYy"
— Aijaz (@aijazmoin) December 7, 2014
A video posted by Ryan Moore (@digableblankets) on Dec 12, 2014 at 7:37pm PST
Coats said that about 200 people were participating in the fourth day of protests following a grand jury decision that acquitted a white New York City police officer of any wrongdoing in the death of Eric Garner, a 43-year-old black Staten Island resident, on July 17.
This is what the Cal campus looks like right now #ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/mrxhiljHaU
— Anonymous (@YourAnonGlobal) December 7, 2014
Berkely campus after tear gassing #EricGarnerpic.twitter.com/CnWtFCNPxX
— EdenBrower (@edenbrower) December 7, 2014
In a videotaped scene that has stirred the emotions of many people across the country, the officer is seen placing Garner in a choke hold as a group of other officers restrained him. Garner, who reportedly suffered from asthma, died after repeatedly saying, "I can't breathe" - a phrase that has become a rallying cry for the protesters.
Downtown #Berkeley BART station closed, officer injured in protests http://t.co/TGZzdEJn0d#FTP#ICantBreathepic.twitter.com/EEalSaauAv
— Insurrection News (@InsurrectNews) December 7, 2014
Garner's mother on Saturday implored the thousands of demonstrators who have taken to streets across the country to draw attention to her son's death to "keep on doing it, but do it in peace."
The Garner decision came shortly after a Missouri grand jury decided not to indict a white police officer in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, 18, who was shot multiple times following a confrontation with police despite being unarmed.
Livestreamer says he was in the US military and this is the strongest tear gas he's experienced #Berkeleyhttp://t.co/oSa9LxJzjI
— Occupy Oakland (@OccupyOakland) December 7, 2014
Protests have erupted across the country in Philadelphia, Chicago, Las Vegas and dozens of other cities. In New York, where a fourth consecutive day of rallies took place, several dozen people participated in a mock “die-in” at Grand Central Station, as well as conducting protests inside shops on Times Square. There were no reports of arrests.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, several hundred people assembled at police headquarters Saturday, which resulted in a small group of protesters hurling rocks at police. Seven of the protesters were arrested.
In Portland, Oregon, a throng of peaceful yet passionate protesters entered the Justice Center building, shouting “Justice,” before moving to a shopping mall, where the chant turned to “Don’t shoot” and “Black lives matter.”
RT @MaddieBarkerMai: My neighborhood right now #berkeley#protest#HandsUpDontShoot@berkeleyside@berkeleymediapic.twitter.com/Bv3TMJETOI
— Sophie (@sophie_beach) December 7, 2014
#Berkeley strong... #ICantBreathe#HandsUpDontShootpic.twitter.com/oLRLu1RphR
— Anonymous Press (@AnonymousPress) December 7, 2014
Photo]~ Protesters stage a die-in as others march on the streets in #Detroit#ericgarner#icantbreathepic.twitter.com/TqCKRAWHs1
— Anonymous (@YourAnonGlobal) December 7, 2014
Via @Jayron26: UPDATE: #berkeley Campus flooded with tear gas pic.twitter.com/SJ8Plljkj0. #ICantBreathe#EricGarner#MikeBrown#SHUTITDOWN
— Enough is Enough! (@enough14) December 7, 2014
