Posted on 11/04/2010 9:53:32 PM PDT by SmithL
OAKLAND -- People seeking stiff punishment for Johannes Mehserle plan to gather Friday in downtown Oakland as the former BART police officer is sentenced for killing unarmed train rider Oscar Grant.
Police and community leaders expect a smaller turnout than in past Mehserle-related demonstrations, some of which ended with vandalism and arrests. In a letter to the public, City Administrator Dan Lindheim said officials were not urging businesses to close, but instead to "use common-sense precautions and convey a sense of calm."
Still, on Thursday, many downtown merchants were boarding up windows. Others had decorated their shops with photos of Grant, an attempt to placate potential vandals.
Some offices will be closed some or all of Friday, including the state Board of Equalization office on Clay Street, which will shut at noon. Some retailers also said they plan to take the day off - including Foot Locker on Broadway, which was looted after an earlier rally.
Mehserle, who fatally shot Grant during a video-recorded arrest at the Fruitvale Station in Oakland on Jan. 1, 2009, faces up to 14 years in prison today as a result of his involuntary manslaughter conviction in July.
The ex-officer, whose attorneys are pushing for his release on probation, said he accidentally shot Grant after mistaking his gun for his Taser shock weapon.
Street demonstrations have been a constant feature of the case, which a judge moved to Los Angeles County in an effort to find impartial jurors. Protesters have described Grant's death as an example of historic police brutality toward minorities. Mehserle, 28, is white, while the 22-year-old Grant was black.
After Mehserle's conviction, his supporters also held public rallies to say he was being unfairly vilified for making a mistake while doing a dangerous job.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Since Grant was shot in January 2009, how many whites have been murdered by blacks in the Bay area, hmm?
Far more black on white murders occur than the other way around, and many of the murders are never solved.
Great. I have to drive home from Oakland airport tomorrow afternoon. Do I take the long way (freeway through downtown Oakland, which is usually riot central) or take the normal shortcut through the 'hood?
Remember "Grand Canyon?"
Downtown isn't boarded up as it was for the verdict. Don't want to antagonize the locals.
15 minutes to ruling on motions and sentence according to KTVU.
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