Protest planned outside CA cops’ convention; a counterprotest is encouraged by sheriff
By Daniel Hunt | The Sacramento Bee | Updated: September 18, 2018On Tuesday, the six-month anniversary of the police shooting death of Stephon Clark, a group led by the local chapter of Black Lives Matter will protest outside of the Sacramento Convention Center during a conference of law enforcement officials.
The slate of speakers is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. at a demonstration against fatal police shootings of African Americans — most notably Clark, an unarmed man killed in Meadowview as officers responded to reports of someone breaking car windows.
“We will let them know, not in our streets,” the group said in a news release about the CopsWest Training & Expo, an annual conference of 1,500 officers sponsored by California Peace Officers Association taking place Tuesday and Wednesday.
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During a news conference for a shooting that left one deputy killed and another injured Monday in Rancho Cordova, Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones encouraged others to should head to the convention center to support police.
“We have a planned protest tomorrow at a statewide law enforcement conference down in Sacramento,” Jones said. “I know people have this overwhelming urge to do what they can. ... One of the things you can do is go down there. Go down to the convention center tomorrow between 11 and 1 and show your support for law enforcement.”
Berry Accius, a community organizer involved in the rally, said Jones’ comment was a call to action.
“Scott Jones is declaring war on activists,” Accius said. “ If there is any kind of clash, we know who will be protected and who will be arrested.”
Faison called Jones’ remarks encouraging a counterprotest Tuesday unprofessional and “extremist.”
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https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article218580300.html