Oakland Prayer Vigil Held In Wake Of Police Shootings; Pastor Says Freeway Shutdowns Necessary
OAKLAND (KCBS) -- Just days after an estimated 1,000 protesters surrounded Oakland's Police headquarters and marched up onto I-880, blocking traffic for five hours, Mayor Libby Schaaf was at a prayer vigil meant to help people deal with the grief, anger and fear over rising racial tensions.
People gathered at Beebe Memorial Cathedral on Telegraph Ave. in Oakland Sunday night to mourn the loss of five Dallas police officers and the two black men who died in police shootings in Minnesota and Louisiana.
Pastor Leon Scoggins was part of the Oakland march and says blocking freeways are a necessary strategy.
"Just like Dr. King shut down a lot of freeways; just how Dr. King shut down a bunch of bridges to bring attention and light to the serious things that need to be done. And, sometimes, things aren't dealt with, and things aren't seen unless we as a people shake things up just a little bit," Scoggins said.
Despite seven arrests, broken windows and graffiti spray painted on police headquarters and several downtown businesses, the mayor says officers acted appropriately standing back and letting the protest take place.
