Police skip Oakland nighttime protest by 100 marchers

An energetic group of about 100 protesters took to the streets of downtown Oakland Wednesday in yet another challenge to Mayor Libby Schaaf’s crackdown on nighttime demonstrations.

#BreakTheCurfew crowd staging back at 14th/Broadway claiming victory over @LibbySchaaf's nighttime protest ban. pic.twitter.com/sHJ8O3Y0CU — Kale Williams (@sfkale) June 11, 2015

The diverse group, organized by the Black Youth Project, held a brief rally in front of City Hall and began marching down 14th Street shortly before dusk, singing protest songs and chanting “whose streets? Our streets!” and “No Justice! No peace!”

“We know that Libby doesn’t care about any of the people here,” said Cat Brooks, an activist and leading opponent of the mayor’s new rules against mass gatherings in the street after dark. “Businesses came to her and said she needed to prove to them that we can be controlled. That we can be quelled... but this is Oakland and Oakland can’t be quelled.”

The police decided to skip the event, which is in stark contrast to demonstrations held on May 21 and June 5, when marchers were confronted by police in riot gear. The helmeted officers shooed the crowds off the streets both times, leading protesters to engage in a less-than-optimal sidewalk demonstration, which then fizzled out.

Schaaf began tightening the rules after a May Day march ended with protesters smashing windows and setting cars on fire along Auto Row. The activists claim Schaaf’s crackdown is tantamount to a curfew, but the mayor insists she is merely enforcing laws already on the books.

The latest protest ended before 9:30 p.m. with a proclamation by Brooks about the decision by law enforcement not to show up.

“Congratulations Oakland. We beat back this beast,” she declared to cheers. “This action is over, but the fight is not.”

Brooks said protesters will again commandeer the streets Friday to protest the killing of Demouria Hogg, a 30-year-old man who was shot to death by Oakland police Saturday. Police said Hogg had been passed out in his car and was shot when he reached for a gun after being awakened by officers.

Kale Williams is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: kwilliams@sfchronicle.com.