More Demographics On Those Arrested Thursday Night: Mostly Male, Several Parolees

I would love if the Appeal could investigate the demographics of those arrested after the protest turned unpleasant last night. I'm thinking that, much like the first protests, the percentage of out-of-towners will be pretty high. It would be great if, instead of everyone assuming that looting is "typical of those people in Oakland", the media communicated that the same problem in the 'loin in SF is present here.

I am so glad you commented, Briana! I completely agree that getting the demographics of the arrestees is important. You raise some interesting points!

The last time I checked, OPD was still processing the folks they detained, but I'm definitely staying on this. Once I hear anything, I'll definitely update.

The SF Appeal rules. Thanks Eve!

seriously -- rock on, SF Appeal!! You guys were hands-down the BEST coverage of the Oakland situation, from soup to nuts. (ha ha, I said nuts.)

I'm glad someone pointed out that the majority of the troublemakers were, as last time, out of town agitators bent on starting shit at the expense of the people who actually live there.

And, the next time some hippie ass Big Jay Journalist drones on and on about online, send them to KRON 4's quasar of a turd coverage that was literally instigating shit constantly. The epic beatdown they got on Twitter last night was epic WIN.

I'm not so sure those arrested were watching KRON, or any TV, prior to their mischief.

Agreed, the KRON coverage was ridiculous. ABC Local was a bit better, but they took off before things took a turn (at least on their online stream). I was really disappointed by the coverage in general, as newscasters seemed to be stationed blocks from the action and seemed completed uninterested in getting any closer - and this was before the sun set!

I think if local newscasters are going to throw around words like "looting" and "riot", they need to at least have someone on the ground backing up those claims. SIGH.

Second Briana's comments. KRON started its coverage yesterday afternoon by reporting on its blog that "no riots" had been reported. Way to be balanced. I guess it goes without saying that some of the terminology ("riot" "looting") was inflammatory and probably racist to boot.

I agree, Brock. The point was more that KRON was saying the most ridiculous things like "People felt that Oscar Grant died" and they were shouting all this Fox news like commentary wanting the cops to shoot people on sight or some other hyperbolic nonsense.

TV news in general always hopes for the worst because they think this is their 9/11 emmy time, and in reality it rarely if ever is.

Pardon for questioning your journalistic skills but was the UCOP letter received from a credible source? I work in downtown Oakland as well and my company just contacted the city who is not aware of any protests, rallies, or demonstrations scheduled for Friday night.

I'd greatly appreciate it if you guys could stay updated on that as well.

Great question. I haven't been able to confirm that there are protests scheduled -- if I had, I certainly would have reported that I had done so! All I can report is that UC seems to think there will be.

And I feel completely safe in saying that, as the source of the UC letter is as credible as it comes.

It is good that you are thinking critically about this! Don't apologize for it.