National Guard requested by sheriff after protest violence

The sheriff of Sacramento County said Friday that he has asked for the deployment of National Guard troops in the state capital after some people protesting the shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin smashed windows and vandalized government buildings.

Sheriff Scott Jones referred to the scattered violence late in downtown Sacramento Thursday night as an “attempted insurrection” during a news conference held outside the Sacramento County Main Jail. All available personnel would respond to planned Friday protests, he said.

“We will end this ... We have plenty of room in this building behind me,” he said.

Gov. Gavin Newsom, who must authorize the use of National Guard troops, hasn’t any plans to do so at the moment, Brian Ferguson, a spokesman for the governor’s office, told the Sacramento Bee.

Newsom declined to comment on the Sacramento situation Friday at a news conference. But he said he condemned people who express their point of view “in a way that puts other people’s lives at risk or destroys other people’s livelihoods or property.”

Some demonstrators, wearing helmets and black clothing, smashed windows of businesses, sprayed graffiti on City Hall and tried to start a fire in the district attorney’s office.

The statement by City Administrator Ed Reiskin said the city supports peaceful demonstrations. But he also said police staffing had been increased, and he appeared to be warning peaceful demonstrators to leave by nightfall.

“We remind Oaklanders that when they march after dark, they may be providing cover for these groups, who seem more intent on vandalism and stoking civil unrest than advancing social justice,” the statement said.