Riots in Oakland...

.. but reportedly not by Oakland residents?

As noted by many, it was predicted that if the Oscar Grant trial resulted in anything less than a murder charge, it was expected that there would be riots in Oakland.   Well it just so happens that the charge came in.. "Involuntary Manslaughter"... and there were riots. 

The problem?  The Oakland police say that 3/4's of the arrested rioters were NOT from Oakland.

This Thursday, the officer, Johannes Mehserle, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter, prompting riots and angry demonstrations from Californians who believe this was a clear case of murder or summary execution, and that the officer's lenient sentence is a symptom of systemic racism.

In all, Oakland police arrested over 80 rioters as they looted, vandalized, smashed store windows, and set trash bins on fire. The rioters may or may not be right in their assessment of Mehserle's actions and this Thursday's subsequent verdict, but their reaction is certainly wrong.

According to Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts, 75% of those arrested in Thursday night's Oakland riots were not from Oakland. Residents could be heard shouting "Go home. This is our city. Don’t destroy it."

The SF Gate notes:

The trouble Thursday boiled down to a racially diverse mob of about 200 people, many bent on destruction no matter what, confronting police after the day's predominantly peaceful demonstrations ended.

...

Officials said the main instigators appeared to be organized "anarchist" agitators wearing black clothing and hoods. Many of the most aggressive demonstrators smashing the windows of banks and shops were white.

Organized Anarchy?   Isn't that a contradiction in terms?  Now it will be interesting to find out if the rioters were Californians or some outside 'group'.