Hundreds March as California Protests Continue

ABC News ^ | December 10, 2014 | By KRISTIN J. BENDER and PAUL ELIAS Associated Press

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Hundreds March as California Protests Continue

December 10, 2014
By KRISTIN J. BENDER and PAUL ELIAS Associated Press

Hundreds of protesters angered at the killing of unarmed black men by white police officers marched through downtown Berkeley streets Tuesday night as protests continued in Northern California.

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A California Highway Patrol official said 80 percent off its available staff would be deployed to monitor the protest in Berkeley after a crowd of about 1,500 blocked all lanes of Interstate 80 and blocked an Amtrak train Monday night.

The agency arrested 223 people Monday on suspicion of resisting arrest, obstructing police and other charges, said Ernie Sanchez, assistant chief of the CHP's Golden Gate Division. Berkeley police arrested another nine people.

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Those arrested face bails of up to $50,000, and many remain in custody, he added.

A large group of demonstrators destroyed highway perimeter fencing, flooded lanes, and threw rocks and other objects at officers. It took about an hour and a half to clear the interstate, and no major injuries were reported, the CHP said.

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"The CHP respects the public's right to gather and demonstrate, but it needs to be done in a safe manner," Sanchez said. "At this point, they've made their statement and we respect that. Now, we're asking them to stop."

Although many activists in other parts of the country have gone home, protests in Berkeley and Oakland are still active, reflecting the area's long history of protest dating to the 1960s.

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BCW wrote: "Perception is a strong motivator....if Berkeley did not allow the statement about "finals can be taken later if you are protesting" then they should have made it known....we all know outsidess are there.... But no student should have been associated with that...due to perception by others.... "

News media is making money on the protests in the spirit of "keeping free speech alive!" and "if it bleeds it leads" so they will report whatever they think will keep viewers' attention and they will report whatever, whenever and whereever as often as possible.

[kickstart]

Protesting only in areas of the country where the weather is sunny and mild.

[1Old Pro]

SOme day we will arrest these thugs when they break the law and stop traffic risking lives.

[Hostage]

Berkeley is matriculated with more than 25.000 students and these are a few hundred protesters most of whom are not students or not full time students.

Berkeley does have its weird elements and arguably more so than many other major universities. That said it should be agreed that the majority of its faculty is excellent and is assured to provide one of the best educations and networks in the world today especially for the sciences.

The town council of Berkeley is another matter though.