Five blocks away . . .

[MikeW]

We're now in the third night of demonstrations here in Berkeley. So far tonight is the biggest demonstration of the three.

Live video coverage (6:21PM California time) at this link: http://abc7news.com/live/7704/

[Hardheaded1]

We are more likely to see anarchy erupt from such an ill-centered movement. I'm for judicial reform, but borderline mob activity, including rioting, will not accomplish it.

There is no cohesiveness to these protests, no true or respected leadership. It's a loose coalition, and as such, has no internal discipline. The protests are easily and quickly upstaged by the admittedly rogue and random criminals in their midst. And the cost to the "host" community is always dear, with "collateral damage" that is entirely unacceptable.

[MikeW]

The Berkeley protests continued last (Monday) night, resulting in the largest (and most disruptive) protest to date. The march began at People's Park (3 blocks from my home) and proceeded to the Berkeley Police Department, where the throng of protestors were held at bay behind barricades. The Berkeley Police Department had been instructed by the City Manager, Mayor and members of City Council, to NOT use aggressive force, tear gas or other crowd control options AFTER the disruptive events of Saturday night's protest. Thus on both Sunday and Monday evenings, the crowds of protestors were allowed to roam the streets unencumbered by police.

After confronting the police directly at Department Headquarters, the protest marched two miles west, culminating in a group of over 100 protesters swarming onto Interstate 80, stopping traffic in both directions for over an hour. I-80 is a major artery that runs parallel to the Bay, directly across from San Francisco. The traffic snarl, near a major intersection of multiple freeways and the Bay Bridge with commuter traffic to and from San Francisco, affected tens of thousands of vehicles and back up traffic for miles in all directions. This video gives a sense of the scale of the action:




Eventually the California Highway Patrol arrested 150 people. Another group of 9 were arrested by local police for blocking an Amtrak train.

An informational video can be found on this page: Huffington Post

A photo gallery can be found HERE.

There are hints that another protest will occur this evening but, if so, that hasn't been confirmed. In any case, the Berkeley City Council, which holds open meetings on Tuesday evenings, has cancelled its weekly proceedings, fearing a takeover of city hall.

Weather reports are anticipating a major -- possibly one of the largest in years -- storm to hit the Bay Area off from the Pacific Ocean on Thursday.