Oakland buildings vandalized, windows broken
OAKLAND, Calif. - Oakland police say protesters damaged several downtown buildings during a pro-Palestinian rally on Thursday downtown.
The protest began shortly after 7:30 p.m. near the federal building on Clay Street, which police say quickly got out of hand.
Police said protesters broke windows at the Starbucks and Walgreens, and damaged an ATM at the Wells Fargo Bank.
Vandals also spray painted graffiti on several buildings with words like "Free Gaza" and "Death 2 Zionism."
Police said about 30 people were involved, but only two people were arrested.
Last week, Oakland’s largest menorah was desecrated by vandals on the sixth night of Hanukkah, prompting police to investigate the act as a hate crime.
"I think we’re feeling vulnerable," said Rabbi Mates-Muchin. "Sometimes it is difficult for folks to differentiate between what is anti-Israel and what is anti-Jewish, but the desecration of the menorah was pretty clear cut."
Mansi Katchuria, a vigil co-organizer and supporter of Palestine, called the menorah destruction horrible.
"I think we have seen a rise in both Islamophobia and antisemitism over the past few months," Kathuria said. "And we unequivocally stand against hate in all its forms."
Vandals smashed the ATM at the downtown Oakland Wells Fargo. Dec. 21, 2023
Vandals broke windows in downtown Oakland during pro-Palestinian protest. Dec. 21, 2023
A broken window in downtown Oakland. Dec. 21, 2023
Vandals broke a window at a downtown Oakland Walgreens. Dec. 21, 2023
Taggers wrote 'Death 2 Zionism' on the downtown Oakland Walgreens during a pro-Palestinian protest. Dec. 21, 2023
Taggers wrote 'Homeless Lives Matter' on a downtown Oakland building. Oct. 21, 2023
Taggers wrote 'Free Gaza' on a downtown Oakland building during pro-Palestinian protest. Dec. 21, 2023
A man cleans up outside the Oakland Starbucks downtown, which was vandalized during pro-Palestinian protest. Dec. 21, 2023
Downtown Oakland Starbucks vandalized during pro-Palestinian protest. Dec. 21, 2023