Some in the crowd turned violent, smashing windows of a Trader Joe's grocery store and damaging a Radio Shack store.
Several windows shattered, wine and beer bottles broken at Trader Joes at MLK & University. pic.twitter.com/cSc6F7rHQo
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) December 7, 2014
Neighbors of this vandalized Radio Shack are helping clean up after protesters busted out windows. pic.twitter.com/MrHRh3TiMF
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) December 7, 2014
Protesters tried to get to the freeway, but police blocked the on ramp. BART shut down several Berkeley stations to avoid conflict with protesters.
Berkeley police say demonstrators threw rocks and other projectiles at officers - one officer suffered minor injuries.
So far, protesters have thrown sandbags, pipes, bricks, sideview mirrors, and smoke grenades at officers....
— Byron White (@BPDOffcWhite) December 7, 2014
Demonstrators hit the Trader Joes at MLK and University. #mapit pic.twitter.com/juoUOw0Lcx
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) December 7, 2014
There are also reports of businesses being vandalized in the area of University Avenue and MLK Jr. Way. Police warned people to avoid the area.
Some of the protesters have been violent causing damage/injuries. STAY AWAY FROM AREA
— Byron White (@BPDOffcWhite) December 7, 2014
Officer Jennifer Coats said the crowd started out moving north on Shattuck Avenue.
Demonstrators began gathering in Berkeley as a part of a series of protests in the Bay Area against a New York grand jury's decision and as a show of support following the events in Ferguson.
Shattuck and Alston in Berkeley. Large group that continues to grow. #mapit pic.twitter.com/qFvSqSjQKk
— Sergio Quintana (@svqjournalist) December 7, 2014
Protests erupted in San Francisco and Oakland earlier Saturday as well.
Photos on Twitter showed police arresting demonstrators on Market Street in San Francisco Saturday after a "die-in" and demonstrators holding signs that read, "Stop racist police terror" and "Justice for Mike Brown."
In Oakland, photos and reports on Twitter this afternoon showed demonstrators walking into businesses and in some cases, reading the names of people slain by police.
ABC7 News reporter Sergio Quintana contributed to this story.