Stockton was the stage for a modest protest last Thursday, where a band of approximately 20 individuals positioned themselves, obstructing the comings and goings at the 600 block of San Juan Avenue. The incident called into question the balance between First Amendment rights and public safety, while the Stockton Police Department navigated the tightrope to resolve the situation without stepping into the contentious terrain of federal immigration enforcement.
The scene unfolded around 5:59 p.m., as the group was reported for their blockade, falling afoul of California Penal Code 647c, which outlaws willful and malicious obstruction of free movement in public spaces. According to a Facebook post by the Stockton Police Department, the protest was deemed a safety hazard, demanding a response from law enforcement. Notably, the Stockton Police Department helicopter, Falcon-10, was first on the scene, providing aerial confirmation of the situation before ground officers arrived.
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