Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums held a press conference today addressing Wednesday night’s riots. Violence erupted on the streets of the city after a peaceful rally at Fruitvale Bart Station, where 22 year-old Oscar Grant was shot and killed by a Bart police officer on New Year’s Day. The press conference included small business owners whose businesses were damaged by angry protestors. Bart and Oakland Police departments assured Grant’s family that they will do everything in their power to solve this case within the next two weeks. The audience included family members of other victims of police brutality who repeatedly shouted out the names of their lost loved ones to the mayor and also to Bart and police representatives.
Before the media had a chance to ask questions, Mayor Dellums, with tears and anger in his voice, made it clear that in order to bring justice, Oakland residents should not take matters into their own hands, but come together to empower the youth.

---