Protest to mark the one-year anniversary of the police shooting of Alex Nieto still going strong on Valencia St. pic.twitter.com/SRXz7RmGoW
— Capp Street Crap (@cappstreetcrap) March 23, 2015
Protesting officer-involved shootings like the one that took the life of 28-year-old City College student Alex Nieto one year ago, activists took to the Valencia Street Mission Police Station this morning.
By Mission Local's count, around 100 people participated in traffic-blocking demonstrations and were joined by Nieto's parents and rhythm and dance troupe Loco Bloco. The protests, which began at around 7 a.m., were set to last 4 hours and 15 minutes. In addition to representing the local area code, that's reportedly police scanner speak for a noise complaint.
17 chained in front of sfpd on 17th and Valencia in protest of the 1yr anniversary of Alex Nieto's death. @KQEDnews pic.twitter.com/nA0H6pZNHu
— Jessica Placzek (@Jessicazyp) March 23, 2015
10 members of the protest joined hands through tubes and chained themselves to the station's parking lot exit gate. However, spokesperson Officer Albie Esparza said the action has not interfered with the department's ability to respond to calls, as vehicles are already on the streets. Police have no plans to take action against protesters, according to Esparza,
Demonstrators also staged a mock trial they referred to as “the people’s court.” Protesters covered by masks of the faces of some officers involved in the Nieto shooting were found to be “guilty” of murder, as was the District Attorney, and Mayor Ed Lee was also “guilty” for his complicit silence. Protestors issued demands including the firing of the officers and the halting of mass displacement.
People's Trial of Alex Nieto's killers #Justice4AlexNieto We want an independent federal investigation! pic.twitter.com/lSQJoN8KLt
— Justice4AlexNieto (@j4alexnieto) March 23, 2015
Previously: SFPD Complies With Judge's Order, Releases Names Of Officers Who Killed Bernal Heights Man