Protesters Participating In #BlackoutBlackFriday Shut Down Oakland Train Station

Protesters Shut Down Oakland Train Station
Two BART trains pulling into MacArthur station in Oakland, California.
Two BART trains pulling into MacArthur station in Oakland, California.

As people nationwide actively boycott big businesses on Black Friday, a group of protesters in California forced a temporary shutdown of a BART train station.

Protesters rallied Friday and physically banded together to block train service from the West Oakland train station. In doing so, demonstrators -- many who wore shirts that read #BlackLivesMatter -- drew further attention to their fight for justice days after a Ferguson, Missouri, grand jury decided not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown.

"There is a major delay system wide due to civil unrest at West Oakland Station," a statement on the BART website reads. "There is no service into or out of San Francisco at this time. Please seek other forms of transportation."

According to NBC Bay Area, the protesters planned to demonstrate on the BART tracks for four hours to symbolize the amount of time Brown's body lay in the street.

Protesters also reflected on the death of Oscar Grant, a teenager from Oakland who was fatally shot by a police officer at a Bay Area BART train station on New Year's Day 2009.

The moments in Grant's life that led up to and followed this tragic event were documented in a 2009 film titled "Fruitvale Station." The award-winning film was directed by Ryan Coogler, who is the founder of Blackout For Human Rights -- a network of artists, activists, filmmakers and lawyers who fight to address inequalities and injustice in America.

"In the wake of #Ferguson, it's become painfully clear that people of color, and Black people in particular, are still unjustly targeted by law enforcement and the criminal justice system," reads a statement on BlackoutBlackFriday.org.

"The lack of indictment in the deaths of Michael Brown of Ferguson, MO, John Crawford III of Ohio, and many, many more victims of police deaths are unacceptable in this modern society. To that end, we will cease spending money on American retail corporations until a change is made."

Before You Go

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Jordan Johnson, left, 8, from Washington, Camille Chrysostom of Bowie, Md., and Jaimee Swift of Philadelphia, observe a moment of silence at Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcom X Park, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014 in Washington, to protest the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Mo. Vigils were held across the country for people organizers say died at the hands of police brutality. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
People in a crowd hold signs and listen to speakers at a demonstration on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Decatur, Georgia, in the town square. The demonstration of more than 200 people was held in response to the shooting death of Michael Brown and following unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. (AP Photo/ Ron Harris)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
An unidentified man holds a banner on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Decatur, Georgia, in the town square. The demonstration of more than 200 people was held in response to the shooting death of Michael Brown and following unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. (AP Photo/ Ron Harris)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
An unidentified man wearing a crown listens as a speaker addresses the crowd on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Decatur, Georgia. The demonstration of more than 200 people was held in response to the shooting death of Michael Brown and following unrest in Ferguson, Missouri. (AP Photo/ Ron Harris)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Protesters march through Leimert Park to protest the shooting of an unarmed man in Ferguson, Mo., and other victims of police shootings, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Protesters walk in the middle of Crenshaw Blvd. to protest the shooting of an unarmed man in Ferguson, Missouri and other victims of police shootings, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Demonstrators peacefully gather Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, at the site where Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Mo. The Missouri Highway Patrol seized control of a St. Louis suburb Thursday, stripping local police of their law-enforcement authority after four days of clashes between officers in riot gear and furious crowds protesting the death of an unarmed black teen shot by an officer. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A demonstrator holds up a sign Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, at the site where Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Mo. The Missouri Highway Patrol seized control of a St. Louis suburb Thursday, stripping local police of their law-enforcement authority after four days of clashes between officers in riot gear and furious crowds protesting the death of an unarmed black teen shot by an officer. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rev. Traci Blackmon uses a megaphone to talk to a large group of demonstrators Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, at the site where Michael Brown was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Mo. The Missouri Highway Patrol seized control of a St. Louis suburb Thursday, stripping local police of their law-enforcement authority after four days of clashes between officers in riot gear and furious crowds protesting the death of an unarmed black teen shot by an officer. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Thousands of demonstrators peacefully march down a street with members of the St. Louis County Police and Missouri Highway Patrol Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. The Missouri Highway Patrol seized control of a St. Louis suburb Thursday, stripping local police of their law-enforcement authority after four days of clashes between officers in riot gear and furious crowds protesting the death of an unarmed black teen shot by an officer. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Demonstraters peacefully march down a street Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. The Missouri Highway Patrol seized control of a St. Louis suburb Thursday, stripping local police of their law-enforcement authority after four days of clashes between officers in riot gear and furious crowds protesting the death of an unarmed black teen shot by an officer. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Protesters march in New York Cityâs Union Square, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. Vigils are being held across the country for people organizers say died at the hands of police brutality. The events come in the wake of the shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, and the death of a New York City man caused by a police officer's apparent chokehold. (AP Photo/Michael R. Sisak)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
About 1000 people march peacefully in New York Cityâs Union Square, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. Vigils are being held across the country for people organizers say died at the hands of police brutality. The events come in the wake of the shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, and the death of a New York City man caused by a police officer's apparent chokehold. (AP Photo/Michael R. Sisak)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Demonstrators hold candles and signs Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Ferguson, Mo. Hundreds of people protesting the death of Michael Brown marched through the streets of Ferguson alongside state troopers Thursday. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Supporters raise their hands during a rally at Meridian Hill Park, also known as Malcom X Park, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014 in Washington, to protest the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by police in Ferguson, Mo. Vigils were held across the country for people organizers say died at the hands of police brutality. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A group of women take part in a candlelight vigil in New York, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, after nearly 1000 people marched in New Yorkâs Union Square. Vigils are being held across the country for people organizers say died at the hands of police brutality. The events come in the wake of the shooting death of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, and the death of a New York City man caused by a police officer's apparent chokehold. (AP Photo/Michael R. Sisak)
Scott Olson via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Capt. Ronald Johnson of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, who was appointed by the governor to take control of security operations in the city of Ferguson, walks among demonstrators gathered along West Florissant Avenue on August 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Violent protests have erupted along West Florissant in Ferguson each of the last four nights as demonstrators express outrage over the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer on August 9.The governor appointed Johnson after receiving numerous complaints about the excessive show and use of force by the police against protestors and the news media covering the demonstrations. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) today called for the demilitarization of the police. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators shout slogans and hold up signs during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators take part in a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators raise their hands during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators raise their hands during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators raise their hands during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Policemen intervene demonstrators during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators shout slogans and hold up signs during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators shout slogans and hold up signs during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: A demonstrator holds up a sign during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators raise their hands during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators raise their hands during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators hold up signs during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators raise their hands during a rally to protest the shooting death of an unarmed teen by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, on August 14, 2014. Eighteen-year-old Michael Brown was shot dead by police in the St. Louis suburb of Ferguson, Missouri on August 09, 2014. (Photo by Bilgin S. Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
Scott Olson via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators gather along West Florissant Avenue to protest the shooting death of Michael Brown on August 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Violent protests have erupted along West Florissant in Ferguson each of the last four nights as demonstrators express outrage over the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer on August 9. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Scott Olson via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: A demonstrator holds a sign along West Florissant Avenue to protest the shooting death of Michael Brown on August 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Violent protests have erupted along West Florissant in Ferguson each of the last four nights as demonstrators express outrage over the shooting death of Michael Brown by a Ferguson police officer on August 9. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Scott Olson via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators protest at the spot where teenager Michael Brown was killed on August 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer on August 9. Police in Ferguson have changed their procedure for dealing with the protests after being chastised for a heavy-handed approach which has resulted in four days of violence. Today three police cars and four officers on foot led the way during a protest march. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Scott Olson via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators protest the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown on August 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer on August 9. Police in Ferguson have changed their procedure for dealing with the protests after being chastised for a heavy-handed approach which has resulted in four days of violence. Today three police cars and four officers on foot led the way during a protest march. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Scott Olson via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators protest the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown on August 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer on August 9. Police in Ferguson have changed their procedure for dealing with the protests after being chastised for a heavy-handed approach which has resulted in four days of violence. Today three police cars and four officers on foot led the way during a protest march. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Scott Olson via Getty Images
FERGUSON, MO - AUGUST 14: Police officers march with demonstrators protesting the shooting death of teenager Michael Brown on August 14, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Brown was shot and killed by a Ferguson police officer on August 9. Police in Ferguson have changed their procedure for dealing with the protests after being chastised for a heavy-handed approach which has resulted in four days of violence. Today three police cars and four officers on foot led the way during the march. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
OAKLAND, CA - AUGUST 14: Demonstrators look on during a moment of silence on August 14, 2014 in Oakland, California. Hundreds of demonstrators observed a national moment of silence in solidarity with police brutality victims including 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed teen fatally shot by police in Ferguson, Missouri. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A member of the St. Louis County Police Department points his weapon in the direction of a group of protesters in Ferguson, Mo. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014. On Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014, a white police officer fatally shot Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, in the St. Louis suburb. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 14: Protesters leave lthe lobby of the James Lawrence King Federal Justice Building where the U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Florida, is located on August 14, 2014 in Miami, Florida. Eight who refused to leave were arrested. The protesters, which included members of the civil rights group Dream Defenders, say they want justice for Mike Brown, shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9. They said they also want justice for 17-year old graffiti artist Israel Hernandez, who died from shock from a Miami Beach police officer's Taser last summer. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot