Cop Victim's Mom Pleads for Calm

The family of a 22-year-old man shot dead by police at an Oakland BART station have appealed for calm following violent protests, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. Hundreds of businesses and cars have been trashed and 105 people arrested in disturbances. Prosecutors are considering filing criminal charges against the police officer involved in the shooting.

Oscar Grant was unarmed and lying face down when he was shot in the back by a police officer in a subway station early New Year's Day. "I am begging the citizens not to use violent tactics," said Grant's mother. "I know it's a frustrating time, but Oscar would not want to see all the violence." 
(More Oakland stories.)