2016 Oakland riots facts for kids

From November 9 to 12, 2016, people in Oakland, California, held protests. They were showing their feelings about the election of Donald Trump as president. At first, these protests were peaceful. But later, some of them became violent. Protesters set trash cans and cars on fire. They also broke store windows and threw bottles at police officers. In total, 30 protesters were arrested, and three police officers were hurt.

Why Did People Protest in Oakland?

After the election results were announced, many students felt surprised and angry. On the morning of November 9, students from Berkeley marched into Oakland. More people joined them as they walked. The protesters blocked roads. They also set some trash cans and newspaper boxes on fire in the streets. For hours, protesters damaged cars and burned American flags in Oakland.

What Happened During the Protests?

On the night of November 9, protesters gathered again in downtown Oakland. They wanted to show their anger about Donald Trump becoming president. The protest started peacefully. However, it turned violent later that night. Protesters lit large fires in the street. They also set dumpsters and garbage cans on fire. There were clashes with police officers throughout the night. One police car was also set on fire by some angry protesters in downtown Oakland.

On November 11, several hundred protesters blocked a major freeway in Oakland. They kept it blocked for about an hour.

What Was the Result of the Protests?

In the end, 30 people were arrested during the protests. Another eleven people were given official warnings. Three police officers were injured during these events.

Besides the Oakland Police Department, twelve other police groups helped out. Authorities reported that 16 businesses in Oakland were damaged over two nights. Also, three police SUVs from Pleasanton had their windows broken. They were also covered in graffiti.