See photos of CHP blocking Capitol grounds as anti-Newsom protesters make peace offering
By Sacramento Bee staff
Almost a week after a protest at the state Capitol against Gov. Gavin Newom’s stay-at-home order resulted in 32 arrests, the California Highway Patrol prevented demonstrators for accessing the grounds.
The protesters, numbering the in hundreds, conducted their rally on 10th Street sidewalk in Sacramento, in front the the Capitol building’s west steps. The event, bill as “A National Day of Prayer - Building Bridges,” was peaceful, with sermons, prayer and the offering of an olive tree to the CHP officers on guard.
California Highway Patrol officers guard the state Capitol grounds during a protest against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus stay-at-home order on Thursday, May 6, 2020 in Sacramento. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Irene Ortega of Temecula dances with Sandra during a protest at the state Capitol on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Demonstrators look toward the American flag flying over the state Capitol during a protest against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus stay-at-home order Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
California Highway Patrol officers guard the state Capitol grounds during a protest on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Protesters, wearing flags as capes, gather on 10th Street in Sacramento as the CHP prevents demonstrators from entering the Capitol grounds on Thursday, May 7, 2020, to rally against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order during the coronavirus outbreak. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
Children attend a protest at the state Capitol on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
California Highway Patrol officers guard the state Capitol grounds during a protest on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Protesters hold signs on 10th Street in Sacramento as the CHP prevents demonstrators from entering the Capitol grounds on Thursday, May 7, 2020, to rally against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order during the coronavirus outbreak. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
J.C. Carpenter from Yuba City holds a “Stop Tyranny” sign as she joins protesters gathering on 10th Street in Sacramento on Thursday, May 7, 2020, to rally against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s stay-at-home order during the coronavirus outbreak. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
Pastor Tim Thompson of Riverside holds an olive tree and offers it to the law enforcement officers during a protest at the state Capitol on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Tara Thornton of the Freedom Angels holds an olive tree for law enforcement officers with Pastor Tim Thompson during a protest at the State Capital on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Tara Thornton of the Freedom Angels holds an olive tree for law enforcement officers with Tim Thompson, a conservative pastor from Riverside County, during a protest at the state Capitol on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
California Highway Patrol officers guard the state Capitol grounds during a protest against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus stay-at-home order on Thursday, May 6, 2020 in Sacramento. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Tara Thornton of the Freedom Angels holds an olive tree for law enforcement officers with Tim Thompson, a conservative pastor from Riverside County, during a protest at the state Capitol on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Pastor Tim Thompson of Riverside holds an olive tree and offers it to the law enforcement officers during a protest at the state Capitol on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Tara Thornton of the Freedom Angels places an olive tree on the state Capitol grounds for CHP officers during a protest against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus stay-at-home order on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
California Highway Patrol officers guard the state Capitol grounds during a protest against Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, May 6, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Matias Hoff, 3, touches an olive tree placed on the Capitol grounds for CHP officers by Tara Thornton of the Freedom Angels during a protest against Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento during the coronavirus pandemic. Paul Kitagaki Jr. pkitagaki@sacbee.com
Konner Hoff, 7, tries to give a heart sign to a CHP officer after sneaking under the barrier at a protest at the state Capitol on Thursday, May 7, 2020 in Sacramento. The officer didn’t take it, or the olive tree which he attempt to return to the protesters. The demonstrators were rallying against Gov. Gavin Newsom’s coronavirus stay-at-home order. Renée C. Byer rbyer@sacbee.com
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 3:18 PM.
