400 Occupy Protesters Arrested in Oakland, Violence Continues
Oakland Police arrested approximately 400 Occupy Protesters over the weekend as the movement and police response turns violent.
Oakland's City Hall was vandalized, police and protesters were injured and over 400 arrests took place over a weekend of some of the most intense demonstrations the Occupy Movement has produced thus far. The escalating game of controlled violence between police and protesters has resulted in a new dynamic that is somewhat unique to the Occupy Oakland Movement. Because Oakland Police came out so aggressively against the protesters in October of last year, it seems that the protesters are becoming even more defiant and brazen in their attempts to disrupt Oakland's political machine from conducting business as usual.
In an open letter to Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Occupiers warned the city in advance that they would be overtaking a vacant building and setting up a headquarters within it. Of course, the move was met by police, skirmishes broke out and eventually hundreds of arrests were made. And as all of that action unfolded, other protesters managed to break into and vandalize City Hall and other buildings in the area.
The letter to Quan also warned that any attempt to block the takeover of the building would result in "indefinite" occupation of Oakland's airport, seaport and city hall. Mayor Quan condemned the protesters and the Occupy Movement, noting that the protesters are now targeting and provoking police with violence. She also pointed out that the Occupy Movement is draining the minimal resources that Oakland has available for its law enforcement budget. As the protests rage on and most police officers are engaged in dealing with protesters, other crime is going unchecked throughout the city of Oakland.
When the weather breaks in the East in a few short months, it will be interesting to see what kind of momentum the Occupy Movement will have been able to maintain during the winter months.
In an open letter to Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, Occupiers warned the city in advance that they would be overtaking a vacant building and setting up a headquarters within it. Of course, the move was met by police, skirmishes broke out and eventually hundreds of arrests were made. And as all of that action unfolded, other protesters managed to break into and vandalize City Hall and other buildings in the area.
The letter to Quan also warned that any attempt to block the takeover of the building would result in "indefinite" occupation of Oakland's airport, seaport and city hall. Mayor Quan condemned the protesters and the Occupy Movement, noting that the protesters are now targeting and provoking police with violence. She also pointed out that the Occupy Movement is draining the minimal resources that Oakland has available for its law enforcement budget. As the protests rage on and most police officers are engaged in dealing with protesters, other crime is going unchecked throughout the city of Oakland.
When the weather breaks in the East in a few short months, it will be interesting to see what kind of momentum the Occupy Movement will have been able to maintain during the winter months.
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