Protesters march in Oakland, demand justice in police shootings

Truck driver Eddie Saenz of San Antonio calls his trucking company as protesters stand on his trailer after marchers shut down I-880 during Oakland protest against recent police shootings on Thursday, July 7, 2016. less Truck driver Eddie Saenz of San Antonio calls his trucking company as protesters stand on his trailer after marchers shut down I-880 during Oakland protest against recent police shootings on Thursday, July 7, ... more Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Scott Strazzante, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 25 Caption Close Protesters march in Oakland, demand justice in police shootings 1 / 25 Back to Gallery

About 50 protesters gathered in downtown Oakland on Friday afternoon behind a “Black Lives Matter” banner to demonstrate against recent killings by police in Louisiana and Minnesota.

The small group walked around the plaza, chanting “Hands Up, Don’t shoot” and other rallying cries, while a small group of police looked on and passing motorists honked in support.

“We’re fed up,” said protester Pamela Sawyer, 54, of Oakland, who was wearing a shirt that said “Danger — Educated Black Woman.”

“Something has to happen. This hurts my heart. Those were somebody’s kids,” she added.

“In this day and age, that we have to say something as simple as ‘black lives matter’ is a shame,” said Gene Wade, 46, of Oakland.

Another protester, Courtney Stephens, 26 of Richmond, told the crowd, “You shouldn’t have to be scared when you see the police.”

Oakland City Administrator Sabrina Landreth warned that traffic could be disrupted and that motorists should call 511 for road and transit information.

The initial turnout was far smaller than the 2,000 protesters who gathered on July 7 for a similar rally at the plaza. Many of them blocked traffic for hours on Interstate 880.

Jenna Lyons and Steve Rubenstein are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: jlyons@sfchronicle.com and srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JennaJourno @SteveRubeSF