Lawyers and hundreds of people gathered in downtown Oakland near 14th Street and Broadway, they were disappointed and angry that a former BART officials found guilty of unintentional murder in the fatal shooting of an unarmed black man in an Oakland train station.
People are tense, raised signs condemning the verdict, and some holding sheets of paper with pictures of Oscar J. Grant III, an unarmed black man shot by white BART Police Officer John Mehserle at Fruitvale Station in Oakland.
But there are no reports of violence, according to local television reports. Workers in downtown Oakland cleared out late this afternoon, hoping to avoid a possible disturbance. Oakland police were on the scene in riot gear.
Additional police officers were coming in from other cities, including Hayward and Fremont. Merchants boarded up their storefronts earlier this afternoon.
Oakland police and city leaders have feared the possibility of violence following the verdict. In June, the city Police Department simulated a riot to help officers prepare for unrest. Meeting areas were planned to be set up for residents to peacefully express their feelings about the verdict. And preachers have agreed to urge calm.
People are tense, raised signs condemning the verdict, and some holding sheets of paper with pictures of Oscar J. Grant III, an unarmed black man shot by white BART Police Officer John Mehserle at Fruitvale Station in Oakland.
But there are no reports of violence, according to local television reports. Workers in downtown Oakland cleared out late this afternoon, hoping to avoid a possible disturbance. Oakland police were on the scene in riot gear.
Additional police officers were coming in from other cities, including Hayward and Fremont. Merchants boarded up their storefronts earlier this afternoon.
Oakland police and city leaders have feared the possibility of violence following the verdict. In June, the city Police Department simulated a riot to help officers prepare for unrest. Meeting areas were planned to be set up for residents to peacefully express their feelings about the verdict. And preachers have agreed to urge calm.
