About this episode
Outrage Over Police Violence Erupts Across California Over the weekend, thousands of protesters took to the streets in cities across the state to express anger and pain. The immediate spark was George Floyd’s killing at the hands of Minneapolis police, as well as other acts of violence against people of color by law enforcement. But in many cities—Oakland, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, and even suburban Huntington Beach and Walnut Creek—violence clouded that message of justice. Guest: Charlotte Smith, Oakland hair salon owner Mayors Ask for Calm, Impose Curfews Mayor Eric Garcetti made an appeal to not let violent individuals hijack the protests’ message about racial injustice. Audio Postcard from Fresno Voices from the Fresno protest, as organizers struggled to keep out interlopers and maintain a peaceful demonstration. Producer: Alex Hall, KQED Michael Tubbs: On Leading Stockton and His Hopes for a Better World for His Son Mayor Michael Tubbs says the protests are an "expression of nihilism and hurt" which strive to correct 400 years of historical oppression. In Stockton they were mostly peaceful, with only a few cases of vandalism and stealing. "They're children who need direction and correction," he said. He also talked about his hope that his small son will live in a different and better America when he grows up. Guest: Michael Tubbs, Mayor of Stockton San Diego Demonstrators Focus on La Mesa Police Protesters converged on the La Mesa Police Department, spurred by not only the death of George Floyd but also a recent incident in which a white La Mesa police officer repeatedly shoved a young black man before arresting him. Reporter: Max Rivlin-Nadler, KPBS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices