Officers hurt in Occupy clash across from California Capitol
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At least two police officers were injured Monday during a clash between Occupy protesters and pro-white demonstrators that spilled into the streets around the state Capitol.
Authorities said the skirmish erupted about 3 p.m. when about 50 members of the South Africa Project, returning to their cars after a protest on the west steps of the Capitol, were met with rocks and bottles thrown by several other groups, including members of the Occupy movement.
Two officers were injured in the confrontation, said Officer Laura Peck, a spokeswoman for the Sacramento Police Department.
Authorities said the Occupy protesters outnumbered members of the South Africa Project, who were at the Capitol to protest what they described as black-on-white violence in South Africa. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, saying police moved quickly to contain the violence after bottles were thrown.
‘It got really chaotic really fast,’ said Tricia Blakeman, a member of Occupy Sacramento who was at the Capitol to protest against the pro-white demonstrators. ‘They tackled everybody who looked like they had a bottle.’
By 4 p.m., the scene was quiet. Police had cordoned off several blocks near the Capitol, and officers in riot gear and on horseback stood at street corners to separate remaining protesters.
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--Michael J. Mishak in Sacramento