Berkeley Police Review Commission hearing on police violence at Urban Shield protest

Berkeley and Oakland residents will be testifying and sharing their stories at a Berkeley Police Review Commission (PRC) hearing. The PRC hearing is part of an investigation of police violence against peaceful residents opposing Urban Shield that took place at a June 20, 2017 City Council special session on Urban Shield held at Longfellow Middle School.

Berkeley residents mobilized in large numbers on June 20, 2017 at a special session of the Berkeley City Council to demand that the City withdraw from Urban Shield, a highly militarized annual SWAT competition and weapons expo. During the meeting, community members voiced and displayed opposition to a non-transparent action taken by the Mayor, and were met with police violence and force. Due to complaints by community members about police actions at the meeting, the Berkeley Police Review Commission voted to open an investigation. This will be an opportunity to hear first-hand from those who experienced police violence, and how participation in Urban Shield trainings contributes to it.