Eric Garner Choking Death: Police Officers Injured in California Protests
At least two police officers in California have been injured in a protest against the grand jury decision against the New York police officer who killed Eric Garner by holding him in a chokehold.
The protest in Berkley, California turned violent overnight Saturday when protesters began to smash windows and hurl rocks at the cops, authorities said, according to NBC.
Numerous officers were struck, including one who took a hit from a large sandbag and was treated for a dislocated shoulder.
Cars, including police patrols, were vandalized, windows were smashed and businesses were looted such as Trader Joe's, Radio Shack and a Wells Fargo Bank.
What began as a peaceful protest devolved into the night, resulting in six arrests.
"Splinter groups broke off and began hurling bricks, pipe, smoke grenades, and other missiles at officers," according to Berkeley Police spokeswoman Jennifer Coats, NBC reported.
At least 1,000 people were present at the protest in the San Francisco suburb Saturday night.
The protest in Berkley was just one of many around the country which grew violent, according to Yahoo News.
In Seattle, seven people were arrested while trying to block a roadway in downtown, after a group from the 600 people in the demonstration separated and began throwing rocks at officers.
But peaceful protests were held in other cities including Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami and Las Vegas.
Demonstrations continued in New York City, though their numbers waned Saturday night partly due to heavy rains.
The protests and social media outrage have been anchored on Garner's last words, "I can't breathe," when the officers held him.
Since the grand jury decided on Dec. 3 not to bring any charges against the officers in Staten Island who held Garner in the chokehold, protests and die-ins have taken place all over the country.
The protests against police officers involved in killings have increased after first starting when Officer Darren Wilson, who shot and killed unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri in August, was not indicted last month by a grand jury.
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