Cops are trying to negotiate the opening of this set of doors so credit union employees can go home. pic.twitter.com/0JWwDkzrVU
— Cat (@CatsCommentary) July 20, 2016
Calling for the city of Oakland to divest from its police, a department tarnished by a sex scandal involving the alleged trafficking and rape of an underage sex worker and embarrassed by the turnover of three police chiefs in a single week last month, protesters have chained themselves to the doors of the Oakland Police Officers' Association.
Bay City News reports that the demonstration at 555 Fifth Street began at 2:30 p.m. Organizers are reportedly Black Lives Matter, the Black Youth Project 100, and the Anti-Police Terror Project, among others.
Oakland POA is on lock down!#stopthecops #fundblackfutures pic.twitter.com/ZMnSZVHXq2
— Cat (@CatsCommentary) July 20, 2016
Protesters used bike locks and heavy chains to lock themselves to the building's doors where they reportedly plan to remain for 24 hours. The move comes at a moment when some groups have called to remove mayor Libby Schaaf. The Oakland City council is scheduled to vote next week on putting a measure to voters that would instate a seven-member independent commission with the power to fire a police chief in the city.
Related: Dozens Of SFPD Officers Were Connected To East Bay Sex Worker Celeste Guap On Facebook