Michael Brown protests: Violence in Oakland, unrest in multiple cities

Looting and vandalism continued in Oakland overnight as hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police in tumultuous protests against a Missouri grand jury’s decision not to indict an officer for the shooting death of a young black man.

Multiple people were arrested after protesters lighted several fires and set off fireworks at the California Highway Patrol’s Oakland station, authorities said. At least one firearm was seized from a protester, who CHP officials said was vandalizing a police car. Police said protesters vandalized businesses and assaulted officers with rocks, bottles and other objects.

“Multiple arrests have been made since this is no longer a peaceful protest,” the CHP said.

It was the second night of protests that erupted nationwide on Monday after a grand jury decided a white Ferguson police officer, Darren Wilson, would not be indicted for shooting and killing 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was African American.

Farther south, demonstrators held protests in Fresno and Santa Barbara. And on Wednesday morning, protests continued in San Diego, where about two dozen people blocked Interstate 5 northbound near UC San Diego. They were marched off the freeway at about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday. It was unknown as of the time of this report whether any arrests had been made, though about half a dozen protesters were arrested overnight.

In Los Angeles, police arrested 130 protesters overnight.

The arrests came hours after police followed protesters into downtown Los Angeles and notified groups at Flower, 9th and Temple streets and Broadway of their impending detention.

Early Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol was still tallying the number of arrests made Tuesday night, CHP Officer Larry Albrecht said. At last count, however, CHP officials said they had arrested four people who tried to block the 101 and 110 freeways.

A police officer also suffered minor injuries after being struck with a frozen water bottle.

Staff writer Tony Perry in San Diego contributed to this report. For breaking news throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA.