During a press conference in Oakland, where Mayor Sheng Thao was announcing a $3.5 million grant to enhance community safety through the expansion of the Safety Ambassador program, a conflict erupted between supporters of Thao and proponents of her recall. The altercation, which escalated to physical violence, occurred amidst the backdrop of the grant announcement aimed at addressing crime in downtown and Chinatown areas. The grant, provided by the California Department of Social Services, seeks to combat the city's well-documented crime issues. The incident, which involved fighting and police sirens, drew OPD presence as tensions between the two groups intensified. The event was covered by @nbcbayarea and @abc7newsbayarea, with one witness reporting being physically assaulted.
Officials in Oakland on Wednesday announced a $3.5 million grant that will boost community safety programs, including the expansion of the city's ambassador program in areas experiencing high levels of crime. https://t.co/vgkkDolxFQ
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s downtown press conference on Wednesday to celebrate a multimillion grant for a public safety program quickly devolved into a chaotic scene when protesters seeking the mayor’s recall crashed the event. https://t.co/jN2wPiqwsE
Chaos erupted in Oakland Wednesday while @MayorShengThao announced a grant aimed at increasing public safety. Recall Sheng Thao protesters clashed with the mayor's supporters, with tension getting so bad that one witness says he was physically assaulted. https://t.co/1pORLtrhwn https://t.co/z9DSOW0KMG
Oakland leaders announced a $3.5 million grant to boost public safety in the city’s downtown Wednesday, surrounded by yelling, fighting and police sirens. https://t.co/UT9Jg256md
The California Department of Social Services has awarded Oakland a $3.5 million grant to expand the safety ambassador and mediator program in downtown and Chinatown to help combat crime, which has been a well documented problem in the city. https://t.co/BaidWNk2oL
Officials in Oakland on Wednesday announced a $3.5 million grant that will boost community safety programs, including the expansion of the city's ambassador program in areas experiencing high levels of crime. https://t.co/vgkkDolxFQ
Thao supporters/recall proponents clash during a press conference as Oakland @MayorShengThao announces a $3.5M grant to address community safety by expanding the Safety Ambassador program. OPD arrived after a supporter and a demonstrator got into a physical fight. @nbcbayarea https://t.co/qyFFYpfRfL
Chaos broke out at a press conference where Oakland @MayorShengThao was announcing a grant the city has secured. Recall Thao protesters clashed with some of her supporters. At some point it even got physical. Story coming for @abc7newsbayarea https://t.co/LoU3chyQHW