Protesters invoke MLK in early-morning rally at Oakland mayor’s home

Protesters gathered on Martin Luther King Jr. Day outside the home of Oakland's new mayor, asking her to put an end to police violence in the city.

The demonstrators sang “happy birthday” to the late civil rights leader as they stood outside Mayor Libby Schaaf’s house at about 5 a.m. as part of the #BlackLivesMatter and #ReclaimMLK campaigns.

“Dr. King made the connections between oppression in America and the imperialist wars carried out abroad. We follow in his footsteps,” activist Sarah O’Neal tweeted.

The group erected a lighted “Dream” sign, drew a chalk outline of a body in a neighborhood street and projected on the mayor's garage door an image of King, with the quote, “A riot is the language of the unheard.”

The group was calling for justice and an overhaul of California’s Peace Officers Bill of Rights, demanding that all officers with a record of using excessive force be fired.

More than two hours later, the mayor’s husband opened the front door and accepted a leaflet.

“We're gone for now Libby,” O’Neal tweeted. “But don't think ur husband opening the door let's u off the hook.”

BlackOut Collective sent tweets calling Monday’s nonviolent action the “people’s inauguration” and saying, “We stand with our brothers and sisters in action declaring that #blacklivesmatter all day and everyday! This action is from all of us!”

To mark MLK Day, protesters marched over the weekend throughout the Bay Area, appealing for justice regarding police violence against African Americans.

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