Black Lives Matter and other demonstrators protesting this week's fatal shooting of an unarmed black man gather outside Golden 1 Center before the scheduled tipoff of an NBA basketball game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento, Calif., Thursday, March 22, 2018. Hundreds of people rallied for Stephon Clark, a 22-year-old who was shot Sunday in his grandparents' backyard. Police say they feared he had a handgun when they confronted him after reports that he had been breaking windows, but he only had a cellphone. (AP Photo/Robert Petersen)
The Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - The game between the Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks started after a 19-minute delay Thursday because of protesters who were locked arm-in-arm surrounding entrances to Golden1 Center.
A massive crowd shut down nearby freeways and gathered in the surrounding streets to protest the police shooting of Stephon Clark, an unarmed black man who was in the backyard of his grandparents' house Sunday night. According to reports, Clark was shot 20 times.
Only a few hundred fans made it into the Golden1 Center before police decided to not allow anyone else to enter. Several of those who did get in were allowed to move down into the lower bowl of the arena, leaving the upper deck empty. Those fans were also given a free non-alcoholic beverage.
The Kings later issued a statement regarding potential refunds for those fans who were unable to get inside.
"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."
Protesters block the door of the Golden 1 Center during a demonstration, Thursday, March 22, 2018 in Sacramento, Calif. Protesters decrying this week's fatal shooting on an unarmed black man marched through downtown Sacramento, disrupting rush hour traffic, blocking Interstate 5 for awhile and forcing the Golden 1 Center to lock its doors ,leaving hundreds of ticket holders unable to enter. The Kings NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks was delayed for a while but play was started with hundreds of empty seats. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
The Associated Press
A protester holds a sign against the door of the Golden 1 Center during a demonstration, Thursday, March 22, 2018 in Sacramento, Calif. The march to decry this week's fatal shooting of an unarmed black man, wound its through downtown Sacramento, disrupting rush hour traffic, blocking Interstate 5 for awhile and forcing the Golden 1 Center to lock its doors ,leaving hundreds of ticket holders unable to enter. The Kings NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks was delayed for a while but play was started with hundreds of empty seats. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
The Associated Press