Golden 1 Center in Sacramento was in lockdown ahead of Thursday night’s game between the Kings and Atlanta Hawks due to a protest taking place outside the arena.
Several people gathered on Thursday in Sacramento to protest the shooting of Stephon Clark. They managed to stop traffic on the 5 freeway and then continued to the Golden 1 Center prior to the Kings game. The team locked the arena doors as a result.
Protesters are preventing fans from entering Golden 1 Center for Sacramento Kings game.@MSNBC #StephonClark pic.twitter.com/RwItfqw5qR
— Publicity Agents (@TonyRayHarvey) March 23, 2018
Here’s what the arena looked like just before 7 pm PT (the tip off was moved back to 7:23 pm).
Arena floor currently @SacramentoKings pic.twitter.com/KRGX4VnDqW
— Jodi Bacon (@jodibaconbits) March 23, 2018
Protests outside the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento has delayed the start of the Hawks vs Kings game tonight pic.twitter.com/eB0lOFG2AP
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) March 23, 2018
Clark was fatally shot by Sacramento police on Sunday night in his grandmother’s backyard. Police were looking for a man who had broken car windows and were directed towards Clark. They fired on him after thinking he had a gun in his hand, which turned out later to just be a phone. Protesters are upset with the officers’ fatal actions.
The game started as planned, with the fans who made it into the arena invited to sit in the lower sections.
GAME ON!
Sacramento Kings v. Atlanta Hawks game will go on as scheduled. Officials at Golden 1 Center invited fans to fill lower bow.
Protesters still outside of G1C locked in arms. @MSNBC #StephonClark pic.twitter.com/gpL735KRyE— Publicity Agents (@TonyRayHarvey) March 23, 2018
The Kings later issued a statement telling fans to return home due to the lockdown.
“Tonight’s game began with a delay. Due to law enforcement being unable to ensure ticketed fans could safely enter the arena, the arena remains closed and we ask fans outside to travel home. We will issue further information soon regarding a refund.”
