Seven people were arrested Friday in Stockton following multiple protests and demonstrations throughout the city, one of which led to a tense standoff between police and demonstrators.
Friday’s protests follow weeks of local and nationwide demonstrations that have occurred in the wake of the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis last month. Protests are scheduled to continue throughout Stockton and surrounding areas into the weekend.
Social media posts from the Instagram user account of blacklivesmatterstockton209 had called for a march against “crooked cops“ Friday at 6 p.m. on the corner of Hammer Lane and Pacific Avenue. Instead, though, protesters congregated in a shopping center near Hammer and Lower Sacramento Road.
Protesters, carrying banners, signs and balloons and chanting, then marched toward the intersection and blocked eastbound lanes of Hammer east of Lower Sac, only allowing cars to pass once drivers honked their horns in solidarity.
Dionne Smith-Downs, whose 16-year-old son was shot and killed by Stockton police in 2010, said at protest earlier in the day near March Lane and Pacific Avenue organized by the same group that she had come out to stand in solidarity with Minnesota, as well as those who’ve had family members shot and killed by Stockton police or San Joaquin County sheriffs. …
Cassie Dickman 