SECOND UPDATE:
At some point last night protests escalated and police reportedly used pepper ball ammunition to disperse a crowd that was growing violent. KCRC’s Nazy Javid posted the following video a viewer sent her last night.
UPDATE:
As protesters marched passed Eureka Police headquarters chanting, they were met by a powerful moment of solidarity.
PREVIOUSLY:
Protesters are gathering in Eureka tonight for a second straight day of demonstrations against police brutality, part of a nationwide movement in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota during an arrest in which a police officer kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes.
There are currently more than 100 people gathered in front of the Humboldt County Courthouse, where protesters have taken a knee for a 10-minute moment of silence in honor of Floyd and other victims of police brutality.
Yesterday, hundreds of protesters convened and marched through the city’s streets in a demonstration that was largely nonviolent, but also saw fits of violence allegedly targeting the police presence and some passing motorists as protesters marched through the streets and blocked traffic. There were also isolated reports of vandalism and graffiti.
In an email to the Journal, Eureka Police Chief Steve Watson said he was on foot and had to “rescue” some responding officers in their patrol cars as protesters banged on car hoods and windows and, in two instances, broke police car windows. While some protesters alleged passing motorists sped through the crowd in acts of attempted vehicular assault, Watson said he saw some motorists encircled by protesters and felt they were trying to flee to safety through the crowd. He described a chaotic scene last night that grew increasingly on edge as the protest went on. There was also video footage of police vehicles moving through the crowd, pushing protesters, until Watson stepped in, telling the patrol cars to stop and persuading protesters to clear a path.
“There is a militant, anarchist crowd of younger people (some I suspect maybe bused here) trying to invoke violence and confrontations with police,” Watson wrote in the email. “They broke windows, spray painted graffiti on businesses, our police department, patrol car, etc. Rocks were thrown, and someone was shooting a [sling shot] toward officers.”
Thus far, all reports indicate this evening’s protests have been peaceful, though police scanner traffic earlier indicated some demonstrators arrived carrying shields. One speaker opened this evening’s protest with a plea for peace, civility and community mindedness.
“This is our community and we have to take care of it,” he said. “I won’t stand for it to be destroyed.”
After convening at the courthouse, some protesters marched to Eureka Police Department headquarters, where Watson and Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal stood out front with a white board emblazoned with the message, “We stand with you against racism.”
We’ll update this post as the evening progresses.
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I thought the coverage was a little biased, I saw Nazy Javid out in the field being very particular in what and who she caught on video. Yes there was some wild kids out there using this as an opportunity to express there frustrations but there was also hundreds of people out there solely to show solidarity with MN and to expresss the desire for change and I don’t think its really fair to call these people violent or anarchist we just want to live in a more just world where people are not unfairly targeted bc of there skin color
I feel people need to let off their anger regarding all these people of color being killed for years, and although promises were made, nothing was ever done…and now Chief Watson is assuming a red Jeep Cherokee , who hit some protesters, was not doing it to hurt…the Jeekp obviously was trying to do harm, and Watson showed his true colors by assuming the driver was not culpable in doing harm.
Pat, I’m not assuming anything for sure. I’ve generalized that fear appears to be the case in some situations (there were several). Already assigned an officer to investigate the red Jeep incident. The report will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office for review and consideration of charges once the investigation is complete.
Anyone we can prove intentionally, feloniously tried to run a person over I expect will be charged.