Oakland protesters say police training is too militaristic

Vendor John McDonald displays his NightOps Tactical, Inc. night vision equipment during the first day of Urban Shield at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Ca., on Fri. September 8, 2017. Vendor John McDonald displays his NightOps Tactical, Inc. night vision equipment during the first day of Urban Shield at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, Ca., on Fri. September 8, 2017. Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Oakland protesters say police training is too militaristic 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

About 200 people chanted, picketed, and banged drums outside the Alameda County Building in Oakland on Friday, protesting this weekend’s Urban Shield event — a three-day intensive training to prepare law enforcement for the next natural disaster or terrorist attack.

Started in 2007 by Alameda County Sheriff Gregory Ahern, Urban Shield has drawn criticism from activists who say it brings a military mentality to local police departments.

“We have police and first responders in our communities, and we don’t want to be treated like enemy combatants,” said Nathaniel Moore, a spokesman for the Arab Resource and Organizing Center — one of several groups that put together Friday’s event.

He and Mohamed Shehk of the anti-prison group Critical Resistance noted that the tough boot camp drills and artillery on display at Urban Shield wouldn’t have helped with the relief effort for Hurricane Harvey — and it’s not going to help the Bay Area in a major earthquake.

Urban Shield has become a subject of political debate throughout the Bay Area. The Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in January to approve a $5.5 million Homeland Security grant to support the program, saying that police should be capable of balancing the need for public safety with the importance of upholding civil liberties.

Berkeley Mayor Jesse Arreguin voted in June to continue his city’s involvement in the program for another year, but said he hoped the city would withdraw after that.

The protesters rallied peacefully for an hour Friday, then marched over to Lake Merritt, where organizations had set up tables with brochures, and one group offered instructions assembling supplies for an earthquake kit.

The event also featured a police car piñata.