Sacramento protests over Kenosha shooting; damage at City Hall and sheriff’s, DA’s offices

A demonstration got underway in downtown Sacramento on Thursday evening over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin — but it’s a second protest that began later in the evening had city officials on edge about potential violence.

A rally “in solidarity for Jacob Blake” began quietly at Cesar E. Chavez Plaza, organized by activist group Justice Unites Individuals and Communities Everywhere, an activist group.

A second rally, which started after 8 p.m. at Chavez Plaza and was promoted on Facebook by Antifa Sacramento, prompted warnings about a resumption of the violence that hit the city in late May following protests over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.

10:38 p.m.: Crowd returns to Chavez Plaza

After spending a half hour at the Capitol, chanting anti-law enforcement slogans at dozens of California Highway Patrol officers ringing the perimeter of the Capitol grounds, the marchers returned to Chavez Plaza.

Sacramento police said it appeared that about 120 demonstrators were at the plaza.

9:52 p.m.: Marchers arrive at Capitol, met by CHP

Heading south from City Hall, dozens of marchers arrived at the state Capitol. There they were met by a huge presence of California Highway Patrol officers in riot gear, guarding the perimeter of the Capitol grounds.

9:40 p.m.: Marchers head to City Hall

After a half-hour spree of smashing windows and tagging buildings, mainly at the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office, marchers headed to City Hall.

There they were met by a group of helmeted city police officers.

Police tweeted that there are reports of someone trying to light a fire at the DA’s office.

9:15 p.m. Some windows smashed in downtown Sacramento

Marchers were observed smashing windows in the area north and west of City Hall. The windows of the front lobby of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office were smashed. Windows also were smashed at the nearby District Attorney’s Office, as well as at least one bail bonds shop.

Some of the demonstrators were threatening media representatives, forcing them to retreat.

9:04 p.m.: Marcher tags City Hall

A demonstrator tagged the east side of City Hall, about a block from Chavez Plaza, with black spray paint.

9:02 p.m.: Demonstrators begin marching

A crowd of about 200 has left Chavez Plaza, heading north, as the second rally got under way. Some were chanting, “No good cops in a racist system.”

In a tweet, Sacramento police described the crowd as “wearing all dark clothing, helmets and body armor.”

8:50 p.m. Second protest begins

The second protest over the Kenosha police shooting has begun at Cesar E. Chavez Plaza. About 200 people observed a moment of silence for the two demonstrators killed in Kenosha, allegedly by a 17-year-old from a nearby town.

7:52 p.m. Mayor defends comments about protests

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg caught flak from protesters about a blog post he issued hours earlier, warning about violence at the second protest and criticizing those who would vandalize businesses. Some of the protesters said Steinberg cares too much about business interests.

The mayor, who was at Chavez Plaza for the first protest, defended his remarks.

“There is a difference between the peaceful protest we’re witnessing here today and which I uphold and we all ought to uplift, and anybody who would engage in the destruction of property or violence. That was unacceptable. There’s no excuse for it.”

7:37 p.m.: First protest winding down. Next up ...

The rally by JUICE, Justice Unites Individuals and Communities Everywhere, appeared to be winding down. Many of the marchers were leaving Chavez Plaza, although about 100 people were still milling around the area.

A second rally, promoted by Antifa Sacramento, was expected to begin soon. It was this rally that had Steinberg warning about violence, and prompted some downtown business owners to board up their windows.’

7:30 p.m.: Mayor meets the protesters, gets an earful

A group of marchers approached Steinberg, who was having dinner outdoors at La Cosecha, the Mexican restaurant at the west end of Chavez Plaza.

Nehemiah Johnson of JUICE, the group organizing the rally, told Steinberg he disapproved of the mayor’s handling of city issues, particularly related to law enforcement.

“Here’s the thing ... you say one thing with your actions and then when you go behind closed doors it’s something totally different,” Johnson said.

”That’s not true,” Steinberg said.

“Honestly,” Johnson said, “I don’t feel you’re the right person to be in the position you’re in. Until you’re gone or your actions match what people are asking to do, your citizens won’t have any word for you.”

After Johnson and a group of marchers left the plaza, Steinberg defended his actions, including his plan to overhaul the 911 system so police don’t respond to non-emergency calls and hiring an inspector general for police oversight.

Many in the Black community have been demanding the city reduce police funding; Johnson wants more money directed to neighborhoods like his: Del Paso Heights. The mayor has said he does not support the defund movement and the city has not yet removed police funding. The police budget this year is a record-high $157 million.

Community activist Berry Accius, who wants city police funding reduced and the police union disbanded, said he disagrees with the mayor but appreciated how he handled the interaction with protesters.

“I respect that when a herd comes, he spoke to the people,” Accius said. “I’m not saying what he said was right. But I have to respect that he takes the heat.”

7:24 p.m.: Demonstrators head back toward Chavez

After about 15 minutes at the state Capitol, the group headed north toward the heart of the downtown business district, stopping at 10th and J streets.

The group then resumed the northbound march, to Chavez Plaza, where the rally began two hours earlier.

7:03 p.m.: Protesters stop at the Capitol

About 15 California Highway Patrol officers stood on the west steps of the Capitol as dozens of protesters stood on 10th Street, using a bullhorn to amplify their message.

A Sacramento Bee reporter saw two men working their way through the crowd wearing ski masks, gas masks, sunglasses and ballistic-style vests. One man pushed a handcart filled with gas masks.

6:45 p.m.: Mayor Steinberg makes appearance, protesters march

Protesters marched away from the plaza just as Steinberg began talking to members of the media gathered in the park. Protester Meg White was critical of Steinberg, who voiced his concern over a protest scheduled for later Thursday.

“I’d really like to hear the mayor saying more about how he doesn’t approve of the things that are causing the protests,” White said. “Shootings aren’t supposed to be a part of protests, but murder isn’t supposed to be part of an arrest.”

The crowd was estimated to be about 150 people. Protesters moved south on Ninth street toward the Capitol Mall.

6:05 p.m.: ‘I hate that I have to keep coming out here’

Tisa Johnson showed up to the early event, which has about 100 people in attendance, with her 15-year-old daughter, S’maya Johnson.

“I hate that I have to keep coming out here,” Tisa Johnson said. “I’m a 49-year-old Sacramento resident who grew up 2 miles from where Stephon Clark was shot. I want to show up and bear witness and be counted”

Tisa Johnson, who lives in the Pocket/Greenhaven neighborhood, said she felt she had to come out and protest for those who can’t.

“I’m here coming out for my 78-year-old mother who can’t come out,” she said.

The crowd was chanting, “Say his name: Jacob Blake!” while asking people to organize themselves in groups based on their neighborhoods in order to introduce people to neighbors they might not already know.

5:41 p.m.: Rally starts quietly

About 50 people gathered at Chavez Plaza. Signs were set up in front of the stage at the north end of the plaza, bearing slogans such as “Black Lives Matter” and “Justice for Jacob Blake.”

A few businesses were boarding up their windows on nearby streets amid fears of vandalism.

5:35 p.m.: CHP ‘ready to respond’

Fran Clader, a spokeswoman for the CHP, said CHP officers were ready to protect the Capitol and other state buildings downtown against any violence or vandalism. She added that CHP officers also were ready to guard freeway ramps; previous protests have involved blocking of freeway traffic around Sacramento.

“We have trained personnel ready to respond as necessary,” she said.

3:46 p.m.: Mayor worried about destruction at second rally

Steinberg issued a statement Thursday indicating he was worried the second demonstration would turn violent. He called on police to make arrests to prevent destruction.

“Vandalizing or destroying Sacramento’s businesses is not principled protest,” he said in a blog post hours before the demonstrations began. “These hard-working business owners, many from our diverse communities, are struggling to serve our community during the Covid pandemic. Targeting them is cruel and doesn’t recognize the humanity of those who have poured the lives and their savings into enlivening our downtown and our neighborhoods.

“We will uplift those protesting loudly and peacefully,” he added, saying he endorsed the first rally. “At the same time, we will hold those who destroy property fully accountable. We will encourage our Sacramento law enforcement authorities to do everything they can to prevent the destruction or damage to hard working businesses, including arrests on the spot where it safe for the officers and the public.”

Steinberg’s statement drew criticism from councilwoman-elect Katie Valenzuela, who posted her critique of the mayor and city leaders on Twitter.

“I’m incredibly disappointed that city leaders are branding tonight’s protest as potentially violent w/o any evidence,” Valenzuela said. “The recent murder of protesters in Kenosha is another example of how those prejudices bring harm to people exercising their constitutional rights to free speech.”

The Sacramento Police Department said it would deploy “additional police officers to help facilitate and manage these protests throughout the evening. The department is committed to protecting our community, the right to free speech and peaceful protest, and ensure the safety of our officers and community. The downtown area should expect traffic delays and road closures.”

Sacramento Regional Transit said it was suspending service at 7:30 p.m. because of the anticipated large crowds. The secretary of the Senate, Erika Contreras, urged lawmakers and legislative staffers to leave the Capitol and nearby buildings by 5 p.m., saying officials expected the protests to reach the Capitol grounds.

In late May, largely peaceful protests over the in-custody death of George Floyd in Minneapolis ended in two nights of violence in downtown and midtown Sacramento, with stores and windows vandalized and merchandise stolen. Damages was estimated at $10 million.

Officials said the damage was done by splinter groups, not the main protesters. Large stretches of downtown and midtown were left with boarded-up windows for weeks. City officials responded by calling in the National Guard and imposing a curfew.

Michael Ault, head of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership said businesses were wary of another round of violence.

“We don’t know what to expect tonight. We are hopeful it is peaceful, but businesses are on edge. We’ve told them they need to be prepared,” he said.

Ault said his group is completely supportive and stands in solidarity with peaceful protests for social justice. But, he said, “we can’t let opportunists that are looking to destroy this city take advantage of this situation. We have an incredible city and can’t allow it to be impacted by people coming here whose intent is to destroy the urban core.”

At least some businesses were concerned by the threat of violence. Michael Sampino, the owner of two Sacramento restaurants, hired crews to board up the windows at Sampino’s Kitchen at Joe Marty’s at 15th and Broadway on Thursday afternoon. Sampino said he hired private security to watch over that restaurant and Sampino’s Towne Foods, located near F and 16th streets. Sampino said he was told to staff up by friends in the police department.

“They all said to gear up for tonight and this weekend,” Sampino said.

Sacramento has had several peaceful protests this week. On Wednesday, the family of Stephon Clark, the unarmed Black man killed by Sacramento police in March 2018, led a downtown protest over the Blake shooting.

This story was originally published August 27, 2020 at 3:46 PM.