Fans who were attending Thursday night’s game between the Kings and Hawks in the Golden One Center in Sacramento were met with protests that prevented entry into the arena and led to the start of the game being delayed.
The protests were centered around the recent shooting death of 23-year-old Stephon Clark, who was murdered in his grandparents backyard by Sacramento Police.
Video and audio of the scene was released on Wednesday which sparked protests about the killing.
Here is a view of the scene in front of the Golden One Center Thursday night leading into the game:
A birds-eye view of the protest for #StephonClark outside the @Golden1Center. Fans have been told the game is delayed but many think it wil be canceled. pic.twitter.com/KSFOOECZmZ
— Frances Wang (@FrancesWangTV) March 23, 2018
Protesters now locking arms forming human chain to keep fans from entering game at Golden One Center. pic.twitter.com/2Zp6cqFKp7
— stevelarge (@largesteven) March 23, 2018
Here is what the arena looked like at game time as few people were able to trickle in:
Weird vibe in @Golden1Center. A couple of thousand fans made it inside before doors locked. pic.twitter.com/7kTqoUNMU4
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) March 23, 2018
Kings Owner Vivek Ranadive spoke to the fans in the arena and gave his condolences to the Clark family while saying he respected people’s right to protest peacefully and that they would be refunding fans who couldn’t get in the arena.
