Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Police Use Tear Gas As Crowds Damage Downtown Sacramento Businesses For Second Night

Sunday, May 31, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Listen
/
Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Scot Rodd / CapRadio

Stevante Clark leads a group of demonstrators near the California Capitol Sunday, May 31, 2020.

Scot Rodd / CapRadio

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.

None that I can see do. pic.twitter.com/K8EyGqqy29

— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020

“We’re emotional, because we’ve been traumatized for years...this is generational shit, generational trauma.”

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

— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020

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.

“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

— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020

 

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.

There’s serious friction among people who are here to protest and those who are choosing to continue destruction. pic.twitter.com/ZTiO3skTZn

— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020

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

Of course, this is not a natural disaster. It’s manmade. (L: Aioli | R: Crepeville) pic.twitter.com/juc8JgxsYC

— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020

 

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.

There’s serious friction among people who are here to protest and those who are choosing to continue destruction. pic.twitter.com/ZTiO3skTZn

— Scott Rodd (@SRodd_CPR) June 1, 2020

 

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.

🎥 by @PublicRadioNick pic.twitter.com/Er9brpoy7v

— Nick Miller (@NickMiller510) May 31, 2020

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.


Follow us for more stories like this

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.

Donate Today  

    More about George Floyd

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    Background: The Killing Of George Floyd, Trial Of Derek Chauvin

    The death of George Floyd — who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police in 2020 — sparked nationwide protest, including in Sacramento. Former police officer Derek Chauvin is on trial for Floyd's murder, with a verdict expected soon.

 George Floyd

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

AP Photo / Jae C. Hong

California ends plans for kids’ Covid vaccine mandate

February 1, 2023

Rebecca Gibian / AP Photo

NPR’s Nina Totenberg reflects on her 50-year career in news and friendship with late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

January 30, 2023

Ariana Drehsler / CalMatters

More than a million undocumented immigrants gained driver’s licenses in California

January 31, 2023

Most Viewed

California ends plans for kids’ Covid vaccine mandate

Winter storms in California will become more intense as climate change accelerates, study finds

California announces plan to convert 3 office buildings in downtown Sacramento into housing

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 pandemic has shifted people's finances

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

California ends plans for kids’ Covid vaccine mandate

Winter storms in California will become more intense as climate change accelerates, study finds

California announces plan to convert 3 office buildings in downtown Sacramento into housing

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

California coronavirus updates: COVID-19 pandemic has shifted people's finances

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a News Tip
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.