Tensions flared in Oakland's Fruitvale district last night following a protest against ICE, as a group allegedly looted a Shiekh shoe store and a vehicle was set ablaze. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the looting and vandalism occurred hours after the peaceful demonstration.
Compounding the chaos, Oakland police officers were met with hostility, including having objects thrown at them as they responded to a car crash near the affected area. This incident later escalated, with a vehicle being set on fire, according to the police department. In the aftermath, residents and business owners faced damaged property and spilled garbage littering the sidewalks.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee was quick to condemn the incidents, "Looting and violence in any form or the destruction of property will not be tolerated in the city of Oakland," she said in a statement obtained by KRON4. "To the business owners, we are committed to accountability, safety and protecting the well-being of our communities." Lee also thanked those who had gathered peacefully earlier in the day, highlighting that their respectful conduct displayed the community's true spirit.
Fruitvale resident Victor Moreno observed the damage at the Shiekh store with concern, worried that blame might be mistakenly placed on the peaceful protesters. "What I’m afraid of is that people will start to blame the protesters for what happened," Moreno said, as per the San Francisco Chronicle. Deep Singh, owner of Oakland Discount Liquor and Market, noted the disarray outside his establishment and voiced his support for the peaceful protest, singling out that those taking part in the destructive acts were not representative of the demonstrators. "I don’t think you should hurt the business owners that are supplying you in the community," he lamented.
