Flash Grenades Launched, Arrests Made As Oakland Demonstrators Defy 'Stay On Sidewalk' Rule

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) -- Just days after the mayor of Oakland and police said they wouldn't allow non-permitted marches in the streets after dark anymore, an unpermitted march was happening downtown.

It began shortly after nightfall, Saturday. In little time, protesters and police were going head to head.

Flashbang grenades were launched as officers wrestled with individuals, making several arrests.

Police with loudspeakers followed the demonstrators, warning that violence and vandalism would not be tolerated.

Saturday night's protest is in direct defiance to an announcement earlier this week by Mayor Libby Schaaf and Oakland's police chief that marching in the middle of the street without a permit after dark would no longer be tolerated. They said it has never been legal. Police overlooked it in the past, but not anymore.

"We've not changed our policy. We have not enacted any new laws," said Schaaf. "We're just making better use of the laws that we currently have."

The new policy comes in response to the vandalism that broke out during Oakland's May Day protests. Demonstrators smashed windows at businesses and vandalized cars on Broadway's Auto Row.