Angry Protestors SHUT DOWN L.A. Streets after GEORGE ZIMMERMAN Not Guilty Verdict
Trayvon Martin supporters staged a second night of protest against the George Zimmerman verdict in Oakland and Los Angeles -- blocking freeways, hurling rocks at police, smashing windows, attacking reporters and burning American flags as cops responded with "less than lethal" rounds.
Most of the rallies in major cities across the country were boisterous but largely peaceful. However, trouble flared for a second night running in Oakland where "crowds turned violent," according to ABC 7.
Bay Area News Group reporter Natalie Neysa Alund and her cameraman were attacked as protesters "had complete control of 14th and Broadway near Oakland City Hall, preventing any cars from getting through."
When the road was opened, demonstrators descended on frightened drivers who were forced to turn around and leave the area as police departed.
"Oakland police officers that had been near the corner retreated, leaving the helpless drivers without police protection. It's unclear who gave that command," states the report.
Protesters later burned an American flag after attempting to gain access to a BART station and a photographer later complained that he had also been attacked.
WIth rioters having already "left destruction in their wake" on Saturday night by smashing windows and attacking businesses in Oakland, theWashington Post reports that protesters also "began breaking windows and spray painting graffiti" last night.
South Los Angeles witnessed similar scenes, with demonstrators throwing rocks and D-cell batteries at police near the corner of Washington Boulevard and 10th Avenue. Cops responded by firing beanbag rounds.
After protesters began swarming the 10 Freeway in the Mid-City area and blocking traffic, the LAPD called a citywide tactical alert. Images show protesters blocking vehicles.
In Hollywood, riot police confronted protesters who gathered at Sunset Boulevard for an "unlawful assembly" and several arrests were made.
Meanwhile in Atlanta, a commercial building was spray-painted with the words "riot 4 Trayvon," before being covered up by a church owner.
Nationwide protests hit the US following the acquittal of George Zimmerman, with protesters burning flags, smashing police cars and shop windows. Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin, 17, out of apparent self-defense.
Monday, July 15
18:00 GMT: US Attorney General Eric Holder confirmed that the Department of Justice is continuing to investigate the Trayvon Martin case. At the same time, Holder told a convention of Delta Sigma Theta that "Independent of the legal determination that will be made, I believe that this tragedy provides yet another opportunity for our nation to speak honestly about the complicated and emotionally charged issues that this case has raised."
16:30 GMT: President Obama distanced himself from a Justice Department decision on whether to pursue charges against George Zimmerman
The Los Angeles Police Department has halted a citywide tactical alert put in place following Saturday's verdict. The Los Angeles Times reported that upwards of 100 LAPD officers in riot gear were deployed the evening before in order to deal with an unruly crowd of around 80 protesters. The event ended in six arrests, the Times reported.
Facebook refused to remove a page entitled 'Kill Zimmerman' -- arguing that it didn't represent a "credible threat of violence," as threats to murder George Zimmerman following his acquittal continue to flood Twitter. protest protestors anger angry "george zimmerman" "treyvon martin" "not guilty" verdict nation u.s. "united states" equal rights black arrest masses "los angeles" la america american police cops journalism journalist interstate traffic streets riot "riot gear" freeway race media news "breaking news" 2013 future agenda "new world order" illuminati music album emotion society "social media" people power unseen forces 829speedy One of the questions to emerge out of last night's unrest in Oakland, where crowds protesting the George Zimmerman verdict turned violent and seized control of a major street for three hours, is why police withdrew from the area and allowed drivers to be terrorized.
According to a report by ABC 7, protesters had "complete control" of 14th and Broadway near Oakland City Hall and refused to let vehicles pass. At about 8:30 p.m., police opened the intersection to traffic. But it quickly deteriorated when demonstrators surrounded frightened drivers who found themselves trapped. The crowd forced them to turn around. Oakland police officers that had been near the corner retreated, leaving the helpless drivers without police protection. It's unclear who gave that command.
In Los Angeles, demonstrators also blocked major highways and acted provocatively towards drivers.
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