Vandals Attack Police Station, Businesses In SF Mission District Protest
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) - One person was arrested after a protest march in the San Francisco's Mission District led to acts of vandalism, including against the Mission police station, authorities said.
San Francisco police responded to reports of vandalism at the police station, located at Valencia Street near 17th Street, around 9:15 p.m., police Sgt. Daryl Fong said.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
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A large crowd of demonstrators had gathered in front of the police station and were engaging in civil disobedience and vandalism, said Fong.
As many as 20 officers lined up outside to guard the station after the attack, but the crowd moved on and eventually broke up. At least a dozen other businesses suffered broken windows and were splattered with paint and food, police said. One vehicle was also damaged.
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The vandals smashed windows and threw paint at the police station and damaged the property of businesses and vehicles, police said.
Jesse Smith, a protester with Occupy Oakland, said the evening started with a peaceful gathering at Dolores Park and he was horrified by the turn of events.
Smith said he was "more than a little shaken" by the vandalism and did not know who was responsible.
"I know Occupiers," Smith said. "None of us have any idea who they were."
The gathering at Dolores Park, a pre-May Day celebration, led to a march down Mission District streets, Smith said.
A small group out of what he estimated to be hundreds of protesters began smashing "one window right after another," he said.
Smith said Occupy organizers, among other activist groups, have planned a number of family-friendly events and demonstrations for May Day.
"I don't know how this is going to affect that," Smith said. "This is really heartbreaking."
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<strong>KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:</strong>
