CHARTER SCHOOL TAKEOVER WAR HEATS UP IN BROAD OCCUPIED OAKLAND USD - Chaos, arrests at Oakland school board meeting
One taken to hospital after police barricade rushed, confrontation ensues
OAKLAND — Oakland schools police arrested six protesters during a board meeting at Oakland Unified School District headquarters, authorities said Wednesday.
Around 6:30 p.m., shortly after the meeting was underway in an auditorium at La Escuelita education center, 1050 Second Ave., several people rushed a police-installed barricade that had been set up between the board and a large crowd of audience members, Oakland Unified schools spokesman John Sasaki said.
Six were arrested on suspicion of disturbing the peace and disturbing a public meeting, and one person was taken to an area hospital after a complaint of leg pain during the fracas.
During previous recent board meetings, protesters, most with a group called Oakland Not For Sale alongside other allied organizations, had shut down one and attempted to shut down another as recently as two weeks ago.
“This time they went a bit further,” said Sasaki, who added that the barricade had been brought in to protect board members, including the board president, who is pregnant and was set to take some months’ leave after tonight’s meeting. “We were very concerned about her safety.”
“We appreciate and support people in Oakland and their right to protest. We appreciate that, in some cases, they want to express displeasure with decisions made by the board of education,” Sasaki said.
“At the same time, the board of education has to conduct its business and they have to do it CONTINUE READING: Chaos, arrests at Oakland school board meeting – East Bay Times
