Oakland mayor condemns ‘agitators’ after violence

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf (D) condemned “agitators” amid police reports of violence and vandalism in the city as others peacefully demonstrated over the weekend.

Schaaf said the agitators reportedly vandalizing the city give ammunition to President Trump’s threat to send federal troops into Oakland. 

“Vandalizing our downtown gives Donald Trump the images he wants and the justification he seeks to send federal troops into American cities,” she said in a statement. “We can’t be fooled and play into his twisted campaign strategy.” 

“We celebrate passionate protest but Oaklanders need to know that when they attend protests after dark they may be providing cover for agitators who are more intent on stoking civil unrest than advancing racial justice,” Schaaf added. 

#Oakland Mayor @LibbySchaaf: “Vandalizing our downtown gives Donald Trump the images he wants…” pic.twitter.com/PERUOLAqrf

— Laura Anthony (@LauraAnthony7) July 26, 2020

Oakland police tweeted early Sunday morning that agitators within a crowd of demonstrators set the Alameda County Superior Courthouse on fire. Police also said that fireworks and “dangerous projectiles” were used to “assault officers.” 

Police declared an unlawful assembly at 7th and Broadway, and reported that “agitators” had knocked down some of the barricades put in place and were throwing items and pointing lasers at officers. 

This video shows a person knocking down the barricades in front of Police Headquarters after officers called for an unlawful assembly and asked the crowd to disperse. pic.twitter.com/08S5b7IDLo

— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) July 26, 2020

Police said an estimated 700 people took part in Saturday night’s protest and “several people” were arrested. 

Schaaf’s home was vandalized last week, with messages reading “Defund OPD,” “homes 4 all” and “blood on your hands,” shortly before the mayor cast a deciding vote against defunding the city’s police department.

Schaaf’s spokesperson, Justin Berton, said in a statement at the time that the mayor supported “passionate protests but does not support tactics meant to harm and terrorize others.” 

Earlier last week, Trump warned he may send federal agents to Oakland and other cities to aid local law enforcement. 

“I’m going to do something — that, I can tell you,” Trump said last Monday. “Because we’re not going to let New York and Chicago and Philadelphia and Detroit and Baltimore and all of these — Oakland is a mess. We’re not going to let this happen in our country. All run by liberal Democrats.”

Schaaf had publicly rejected Trump’s offer. 

Democrats have widely condemned the Trump administration for sending federal agents to Portland, Ore., where people reportedly are being picked up by agents in unmarked vans. 

Oregon Gov. Kate Brown (D) has called for federal officers to be removed from Portland, and Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum (D) sued federal agencies over the detention of protesters.