... What had started as a peaceful demonstration Wednesday over the Jan. 1 shooting of Oscar Grant escalated into trouble. At least three cars were set on fire, many other automobiles were damaged, and windows were broken on some downtown stores. ...
Photo: An Oakland police officer hits a demonstrator with a night stick while attempting to clear city streets.
... Dellums had directed the city’s police department to conduct a third investigation into Grant’s killing and to treat the incident as a homicide.
During the protest, some people threw bottles, and windows were smashed at a fast-food restaurant and other downtown stores. Police in riot gear threw tear gas to try to break it up. ...
Photo: Oakland police officers are silhouetted as a car burns in the background after being set ablaze by rioters.
... “The crowd started to become more agitated, more hostile, started throwing stuff at the police,” Oakland police spokesman Jeff Thomason said. “We gave a dispersal order four to five times over a 20-minute period, then we had our officers go in and start making arrests.” ...
Photo: Sharhonda Thomas holds a sign as she stands on turnstiles during a demonstration at the Fruitvale BART station.
... Organizers of the protest say they have another rally set for later today during a BART board meeting. ...
Photo: Chantay Moore, second from left, is comforted after viewing the body of her brother Oscar Grant during his funeral at the Palma Ceia Baptist Church.