On December 15, 2014 just after 7:30 AM, at the main Oakland Police Department building, located at 455 7th Street, multiple groups of protesters blocked the main entrances of the building by chaining shut four of the building’s doors and then chaining themselves to the doors. Three of these doors are our main ingress and egress for the public and OPD personnel. As a result, the public could not access important police services, such as reporting crimes, obtaining public records, accessing necessary paperwork for vehicle impound releases and property releases.
The crowd was estimated at approximately 150-200. One protester climbed a flagpole and several hours later climbed back down. Approximately a dozen protestors connected to each other blocked the intersection of Broadway and 7th Street and were eventually arrested.
All building doors have been cleared of chains and protesters. Protestors have left the area.
At this time, 25 arrests have been made for various violations, most for the following California Penal Code section violations: 602 (1) (b) PC Obstructing/Blocking Public Building and 148 PC Obstructing/Delaying a Police Officer.
The OPD Tactical Team was in communication with identified group leaders and worked towards a peaceful resolution.
