This story was last updated at 12:08 a.m.
A day after peaceful demonstrations in front of the Capitol gave way to law enforcement firing rubber bullets at demonstrators and crowds breaking into stores in downtown Sacramento, protests restarted Sunday afternoon.
Latest updates
11:55 p.m.
Protests focused on police violence and the death of George Floyd extended into Sunday night, even as other groups splintered off to damage businesses in some part of downtown and Midtown.
Stevante Clark, brother of Stephon Clark, led a group near the state Capitol. Others took a knee in front of officers, asking them to do the same.
Larger group at 10th and N takes a knee. pic.twitter.com/pUdWwV8Cdn
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
Protesters take a knee at the Capitol. Many call for officers to join them.
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
None that I can see do. pic.twitter.com/K8EyGqqy29
“We’re emotional, because we’ve been traumatized for years...this is generational shit, generational trauma.”
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
Zehrin Sims, center (with the Rage shirt). Says not happy w/ destruction, but says it’s understandable.
Democracy, he adds, is not an effective tool for his people. pic.twitter.com/Mi5Udltjiv
10:30 p.m.
After a number of stores downtown were broken into Saturday night, there were many people in Sunday's protests trying to redirect people away from damaging businesses.
Some stood in front of windows to make sure they couldn't be smashed, or yelled at others in the crowd to stop stealing merchandise.
Anger among protesters over a few who smashed the windows out at Vanini clothing store at the corner of 11th and L. pic.twitter.com/cmi8ai7Fu3
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
Eric Robinson, a south Sacramento high school student, was among those decrying the smashing of a window.
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
“We’re not animals. We’re not caged up. We’ve got freedom of speech. That’s how we get our voices across. Not by breaking shit.” pic.twitter.com/cYokx7f2AB
At Pennisi’s Deli, which was also broken into Saturday night, protestors apologized to the owners after the business was damaged.
A group of protesters expressing condolences to owners of Pennisi’s after it was smashed again after last night.
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
There’s serious friction among people who are here to protest and those who are choosing to continue destruction. pic.twitter.com/ZTiO3skTZn
Despite those efforts, a large number of businesses were again damaged Sunday night.
The damage done to businesses reminds me of destruction from a nature disaster, like a tornado. One storefront is destroyed, yet the neighbor is untouched
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
Of course, this is not a natural disaster. It’s manmade. (L: Aioli | R: Crepeville) pic.twitter.com/juc8JgxsYC
10:08 p.m.
Officers at the north end of the Capitol have declared Sunday's protest an unlawful assembly, and are telling demonstrators to disperse.
Dispersal order at 10 and L pic.twitter.com/He05hTOb0g
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
Officers are using tear gas, pepper bullets and other "non-lethal" methods to move the crowd.
Flash bangs, pepper balls and gas send people running east on L pic.twitter.com/gV86dXzQCp
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
The Sacramento Fire Department says there has been multiple fires downtown, including the Rite Aid in the 800 Block of K St. and the 7-11 at 8th and J streets. They reported no one was injured.
8:50 p.m.
Sacramento Police have reported cases of vandalism in downtown Sacramento Sunday. Windows of some businesses and cars had been broken near J and 10th streets.
A group of protesters expressing condolences to owners of Pennisi’s after it was smashed again after last night.
— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020
There’s serious friction among people who are here to protest and those who are choosing to continue destruction. pic.twitter.com/ZTiO3skTZn
Around 8:50 p.m., a large group of demonstrators had gathered in front of the state Capitol. Hundreds of people assembled dropped to one knee, also chanting George Floyd's name.
6:30 p.m.
After weaving through downtown streets, the group made its way to Interstate 5 shortly after 6:30 p.m.
Demonstrators are on the on ramp and on the I-5, blocking traffic in both directions . Keep up @CapRadioNews pic.twitter.com/6qe2YjiPho
— Sammy Caiola (@SammyCaiola) June 1, 2020
Groups of demonstrators walked through downtown streets, returning to the state Capitol, where Saturday's protest began early in the day. After weaving through downtown streets, the group made its way to the highway shortly after 6:30 p.m.
The crowd blocked traffic for around a half-hour before returning downtown.
4 p.m.
Sunday's events began around 2 p.m. A crowd of hundreds gathered at Cesar Chavez Plaza in a peaceful event to remember George Floyd, the man killed by Minneapolis police earlier this week. Speakers gave attendees tips for protesting, and demonstrators laid down flowers, candles, posters and songs to remember black lives lost to police violence.
Event at Cesar Chavez in Sacramento is taking on the vibe of a vigil, with demonstrators laying down flowers, candles, posters and songs to remember black lives lost. pic.twitter.com/GI8YUdjeA8
— Nicole Nixon (@_Nixo) May 31, 2020
Later in the afternoon, groups of demonstrators walked through downtown streets, returning to the state Capitol, where Saturday's protest began early in the day.
Some business owners boarded up their buildings Sunday morning in anticipation of further damage. Business groups in the city are advising that businesses and restaurants close for the night in Sacramento's central city.
En route to the downtown George Floyd demonstration, met general manager Jen Galli boarding up the windows of Escape Sacramento at 19th and I, “We’ve noticed the destruction coming closer, so we just want to make sure the windows don’t get smashed.” pic.twitter.com/6ekQF65cdX
— Sammy Caiola (@SammyCaiola) May 31, 2020
No curfew in Sacramento
Sunday afternoon Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg announced Sacramento would not issue a curfew, as some major cities have done. Earlier in the day he said he would consider the measure, but only if leaders determined it could be effective.
Sunday morning Steinberg toured downtown businesses damaged by the crowd Saturday night. While he called for the police officers involved in Floyd's death to be prosecuted, he said "the kind of destruction that we see in our city, and worse in other cities, is the opposite of righteous protest.”
A grouo confronts @Mayor_Steinberg as he walks through vandalized parts of downtown Sacramento on Sunday.
— Nick Miller (@NickMiller510) May 31, 2020
🎥 by @PublicRadioNick pic.twitter.com/Er9brpoy7v
The city announced it will be partnering with 10 local law enforcement agencies to respond Sunday evening. Sacramento Police Chief Daniel Hahn said eight agencies were involved in Saturday night's response.
Sac RT, YoloBus stop service
Sacramento Regional Transit announced it would suspend Sunday service into and out of downtown Sacramento/Central Business District at 1:30 p.m. in anticipation of continued demonstrations. YoloBus also announced it would end service into the central city Sunday.
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.