‘They are stealing incomes, stealing the attention George Floyd should be getting’
The following is a statement Emeryville, CA Chief of Police Jennifer Tejada written after a long night of defending her city from looting:
I started work today at 6:30 am. It’s 2:10 a.m. and I’m still here. The looters are still looting. Hundreds of young people, 4-5 to a car driving around our commercial districts – all but the driver jumps out and they loot. Then they move on to the next target. I noticed they are driving nice cars.
If you know me, you know I am deeply disturbed by the killing of George Floyd. I have spent a great deal of my career finding ways to build bridges, give voice to those who are marginalized, reduce violence, and nurture peace, justice and equality for all.
I am retiring in 2 weeks and could not be more disappointed, saddened and angered in how George Floyd died. I understand the ensuing anger and protests and support the right to protest and give voice to the outrage felt across the country, particularly by people of color. Racism is real- it exists.
At one point early in the evening I saw one person standing by herself holding a sign. One protestor. Literally hundreds of looters were running past her to get into Bay Street Mall to commit crime. She was the only protester we saw since this started at 7 p.m. The looters ranged in age from 14 to mid-twenties.
We had 2 shootings – In one a 16 yearold was shot and is in hospital. In the other incident, 8 officers were shot at. The shooter is 17 years old. Several times throughout the night, rocks and bottles were thrown at the officers.
Many of our store owners are minority small business owners barely surviving the economic impacts of the COVID pandemic. The news coverage in the Bay Area this evening is mostly about the looting. George Floyd is barely mentioned. Our business owners face unimaginable losses. I have no doubt that people will lose their jobs and who knows what else, their homes? I know some will say that the looting is “a form of protest” because of the anger and frustration over Mr Floyd’s killing. The anger and frustration was apparent in much of yesterday’s protest, and I think we could all empathize, and we at EPD always strive to ensure that 1st Amendment rights are protected.
What I am seeing tonight is not a protest in the name of George Floyd. They are not exercising their 1st Amendment right… these people are committing crimes using George Floyd’s death as a cover.
The men and women of Emeryville Police Department are some of the finest you will ever encounter. Their professionalism is remarkable as is their ability to show compassion, to care and reach in to their own pockets to help someone in need.
I have no answers. It’s 2:20 am and they are still looting. I just thought I would share some of what we are experiencing here and my sadness that these criminals are stealing not just items, they are stealing people’s incomes, and stealing the attention that George Floyd should be receiving.
It’s a sad day.