OVER 150 PROTESTERS ARRESTED AFTER BLOCKING I-80 FREEWAY IN BERKELEY Berkeley, CA – On Monday, December 8, 2014, officers from the California Highway Patrol were deployed to the city of Berkeley in response to planned demonstrations in the downtown region. Personnel deployed were from Area Offices across the region, as well as personnel from the Golden Gate and Valley Divisions Special Response Teams. As the group of demonstrators moved through the city of Berkeley, their numbers grew to approximately 1,000-1,500 individuals. The demonstrators began marching west on University Avenue, intending to enter Interstate 80 and block the freeway. CHP officers formed a defensive line on University Avenue at 6th Street to prevent entry onto the freeway. The interaction with protesters remained largely peaceful. At approximately 8:00 PM, a small group of protesters was able to enter onto the freeway via an opening in the perimeter fencing. The group entered into the eastbound lanes of traffic. CHP officers were able to stop traffic and clear the freeway, opening all lanes of traffic at approximately 8:08 PM. At approximately 8:33 PM, a large group of protesters destroyed the perimeter fencing along the south side of the freeway at the Aquatic Park, and flooded into the lanes of traffic. The protesters were able to stop both directions of traffic, and began walking west in the eastbound traffic lanes through stopped traffic. As officers attempted to stop the crowd and clear the freeway, the protesters became violent, and on several occasions assaulted CHP personnel with rocks and other objects. Officers were able to stop the advancing protesters on I-80 at Powell Street. The protesters were moved off the freeway to a safe location, and the freeway was reopened at approximately 9:58 PM. Ultimately, the CHP took over 150 individuals into custody for various charges, including violations of 148(a)(1) PC – Resisting/Delaying/Obstructing a Peace Officer. These parties were transported to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, CA, where they were booked without incident. The California Highway Patrol is sworn to protect the peoples’ right to peacefully assemble and demonstrate, however, the freeway is not the place to express one’s opinions. Vehicles on the freeway travel at extremely high rates of speed and it is difficult for even the most prepared drivers to stop if a pedestrian steps out in front of their vehicle. A collision between a vehicle at freeway speeds and a pedestrian has the same effect as a person falling off a five story building! https://local.nixle/alert/5316091/
Posted on: Tue, 09 Dec 2014 10:16:08 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015