Oakland Sideshow-ers couldn’t have chosen a worse time and place to stage their illegal drift meeting last Wednesday as it all so happened that the event was held right next to a large rally in response to the Ferguson jury decision.
Some 200 officers from the California Highway Patrol (CHP) who were on hand to keep an eye on the protesters took notice of the notorious Oakland Sideshow meeting and quickly boxed in a couple hundred drivers and bystanders.
According to a report from NBC Bay Area, CHP Assistant Chief Paul Fontana said that about 12 cars were impounded and 23 citations issued “mostly for drivers driving with a suspended license”, adding that there were at least 200 people at 7th and Maritime streets about 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Fontana pointed out that his office would review the video footage from the news helicopters and CHP aircraft covering the scene and possibly throw in more charges and issue new arrests.
“We want to make sure the appropriate people are charged with the appropriate crimes,” CHP Officer Sean Wilkenfeld told the news station. “We didn’t take anyone into physical custody.”
While some raised the question as to why more people weren’t detained, Alameda County Sheriff’s Sgt. JD Nelson, said that the officers did the right thing, given the circumstances. “What are you going to charge them with?” he asked rhetorically. “Just being there?”
Videos via KPIX, Kron4