Kings Close Arena Again Due To Protests Over Fatal Police Shooting Of Stephon Clark

Emma Baccellieri|published: Wed 28th March, 01:35 2018

credits: Rich Pedroncelli | source: [object Object]

Only a few thousand fans were able to make it in the arena for the Kings’ loss to the Mavericks on Tuesday night before the building’s entrances were shut down as a “public safety measure” due to the presence of protestors, who were demonstrating in response to the fatal police shooting of Sacramento man Stephon Clark.

This is the second time in a week that the team has made the decision to close the stadium because of protestors in the area, after a similar situation occurred last Thursday night. About 4,000 fans were allowed in tonight before the Kings shut their doors:

Sacramento police shot and killed the unarmed, black 22-year-old Clark in his grandparents’ backyard on March 18 after officers mistook his phone for a gun.

The protesters marched to the arena after demonstrating at a Sacramento City Council meeting earlier on Tuesday. The officers who shot and killed Clark have been placed on administrative leave, and an investigation is ongoing.