Occupy Oakland

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Occupy Oakland
Part of the "Occupy" protests
Date October 10, 2011 – present
(20 days)
Location Oakland, California
Status Ongoing
Causes
Characteristics
Parties to the civil conflict
  • Occupy Oakland participants
Lead figures
Non-centralized leadership
  • Mayor Jean Quan
  • Interim Police Chief Howard Jordan
  • City Administrator Deanna Santana
Arrests/Injuries
Arrests: 105+[1]
Injuries: 3+[1]
Injuries: 2[2]

Occupy Oakland is an ongoing protest encampment located in downtown Oakland at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza in front of Oakland City Hall and Snow Park near Lake Merritt in Oakland, California. It is allied with the Occupy Wall Street movement that began in New York City on September 17, 2011, and is one of several "Occupy" protest sites in the San Francisco Bay Area. Other sites include Occupy San Francisco and Occupy San Jose.

The demonstration began on October 10, 2011. At its peak, the initial encampment consisted of about 150 tents. [3] The two protest sites at Frank Ogawa Plaza and Snow Park were dismantled by police officers early in the morning on October 25, 2011.[2] Later that day, the protesters tried to reclaim the sites. During clashes with police, two officers[2] and three protesters were injured and more than a hundred people were arrested.[1]

The next day, October 26, more than a thousand protesters gathered peacefully at Frank Ogawa Plaza. Tents were set up again on the plaza that evening. The general assembly agreed to organize a general strike for November 2.

Contents

[edit] Protest sites

Wiki letter w cropped.svg This section requires expansion with:
logistics, layout, and demographics of the camps.

[edit] Frank H. Ogawa Plaza

The site of the main encampment, Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, has been symbolically renamed "Oscar Grant Plaza" by the protestors. A diverse array of people inhabited the camp, ranging from students and professionals to unemployed workers and homeless people.[4] The roughly 150 tents were used for camping and to provide essential services to campers and visitors. A "miniature city" evolved over the course of two weeks complete with a kitchen, library, a bicycle-powered media center, children's village, arts and crafts tent, medical tent, and a supply tent. A conflict resolution tent was also created to help manage arguments. Discussion groups, yoga classes, and seminars were also offered.[5] Notable visitors to the site included actor and activist Danny Glover [6] and hip hop artist Lupe Fiasco.[7]

[edit] Snow Park

Snow Park, a small park beside Lake Merritt, was established as a satellite occupation site after Frank Ogawa Plaza had filled up with tents.[8] The Snow Park protesters initially spent time maintaining the grounds of the park.[9] They were removed from the park on the morning of October 25, an hour after Frank Ogawa Plaza was raided. The encampment had existed for five days.[2]

[edit] Official participation and reaction

Oakland councilwoman Desley Brooks, representing the Eastmont-Seminary district of Oakland, was among the protestors sleeping in tents on Monday, October 10, the first night of the protest.[10] Mayor Jean Quan visited the protest site on Tuesday, October 11, 2011, and "condoned the occupation".[11] Bay Area U.S. Congress members Barbara Lee and Pete Stark also released statements of support. [12]

Interviewed before the removal of the encampments, city administrator spokeswoman Karen Boyd said that the city's plan was to let the occupiers stay "As long as they are peaceful and respectful of the rights of all the users of the plaza."[13].

[edit] Chronology of events

[edit] Week 1 (October 10-17)

[edit] October 10: Encampment begins

Occupy Oakland began at 4 p.m. on October 10, 2011, with a rally attended by hundreds of supporters. Occupy Oakland’s first rally, in which they occupied Frank Ogawa plaza, was held in tandem with Indigenous People's Day, both as a statement of solidarity and an expression that this action firmly situated itself against colonialism and nation states.[citation needed] A couple dozen protesters set up tents that evening. [14]

[edit] October 14: Brief march during rush hour

Protesters participated in a short march from Frank H. Ogawa Plaza to the Oakland Police headquarters and back. [15]

[edit] October 15: Weekend support rally

Around 2,500 people, including actor Danny Glover, came out for a Saturday march and rally to show their support for Occupy Oakland.[16]

[edit] October 17: Visit by U.S. hikers freed from Iran

External videos
"Raw Video: Freed Hikers Visit Occupy Oakland." Compilation of scenes as Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal and Sarah Shourd speak at Occupy Oakland.[17]

On October 17, 2011, Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal — the three American hikers recently freed from an Iranian prison — made their first West Coast speaking appearance at Occupy Oakland, drawing an audience of around 300 people. [18]

[edit] Week 2 (October 18-25)

[edit] October 18: Establishment of Snow Park camp

A second camp with about about two dozen people was set up on October 18, 2011, primarily because the Frank H. Ogawa Plaza site was running out of room. [19]

[edit] October 19: Health Department visit

The Alameda County Health Department visited the site on October 19, 2011, because of a pre-existing rat problem that may have been exacerbated by the camp's kitchen.There had also been reports of violence and illegal drug use. [13] Protestors pointed out that violence and drug use are not uncommon in Oakland.[20]

[edit] October 20: Notice to vacate

On October 20, 2011, after accommodating the protesters for 10 days, the City of Oakland published an official notice citing "violence, assaults, threats and intimidation", among other complaints, and, forbidding lodging overnight. In the following days, the city continued to issue daily notices of violations in the campsites.[21][22]The protesters "appeared determined not to leave" and countered that "the rats, drug crimes, and violence in the area of 14th Street and Broadway went unchecked before they arrived." [23]

Poster announcing the October 22 march.[24]

[edit] October 22: Downtown Oakland mass march

On October 22, 2011, protesters marched without permit, from Frank H. Ogawa Plaza to Snow Park carrying signs including, "Tax Wall Street" and "Revolt for a life worth living." Along the way, some protestors entered a Chase Bank branch and ripped up hundreds of deposit slips and threw them in the air. A few protesters stayed to help clean up the deposit slips. After leaving Chase, they protested outside of a Wells Fargo branch before returning to Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.[25]

[edit] October 25: Police raid, closure of plaza, and downtown Oakland march

External videos
"Raw Video: Protesters Clash With Oakland Police." Compilation of events as Oakland Police fire tear gas and arrest protesters marching through downtown Oakland en route to Frank Ogawa Plaza.[17]
"RAW VIDEO: Ground footage of Occupy Oakland march and crowd dispersal." Demonstrators march down Broadway Blvd. and arrive at police barricades blocking entry to Frank Ogawa Plaza. Oakland Police issue warnings to disperse. Marine veteran Scott Olsen can be seen falling to the floor at 3:15.[26]
"Occupy Oakland video: Riot police fire tear gas, flashbang grenades." Oakland police fire tear gas against marchers attempting to reoccupy Frank H. Ogawa Plaza. Scott Olsen can be seen being evacuated at :58 — 1:23.[27]

On October 25, 2011, following multiple violation notices from city officials, police officers in riot gear from various Bay Area law enforcement agencies cleared both camp sites during the early hours of the day.[2] Police fired tear gas canisters at the protestors, allegedly in response to rocks, bottles, paint, and other objects being thrown at them.[28] Protest organizers said that many of the troublemakers were not part of the Occupy movement.[29] The raid was described as "violent and chaotic at times"[30] and resulted in over 102 arrests. The post-raid scene was described as a "hurricane-struck refugee camp."[31] The Snow Park camp was dismantled later in the morning. Six protesters were arrested. [2]

Later that day, hundreds of protesters and supporters gathered in front of the main branch of the Oakland Public Library to march back to Frank H. Ogawa Plaza to reclaim the space. As the march progressed, the police fired tear gas canisters, allegedly in response to provocations from protesters.[32] Although flashes and loud explosions could be seen erupting among the crowds, police have denied the use of flashbang grenades and report that these explosions were coming from M-80 firecrackers being thrown by protesters.[33] A video by protesters has surfaced showing the explosion of a what they say is a flash-bang device next to an injured protester.[34] Protesters and reporters from The Guardian have described these explosions as looking and sounding like flash-bang devices.[35]

Scott Olsen, a former Marine and Iraq War veteran, and a member of Veterans for Peace, suffered a skull fracture caused by a projectile that witnesses believed was a tear gas or smoke canister fired by the police.[36] The Associated Press later reported that it was not known exactly what kind of object had struck Olsen or who had thrown or fired it,[37] while The Guardian reported that a projectile found near where Olsen fell was a so-called bean bag round.[34] Olsen was rushed to the hospital by other protesters, who were shot at with unknown police projectiles when attempting to aid him.[38] Doctors said that he was in critical condition.[39][40] At least two other protesters were injured.[1] The American Civil Liberties Union and National Lawyers Guild are calling for an investigation into the use of excessive force by Oakland police.[41]

One aspect of the police actions that day that is problematic is the fact that law-enforcement officers from 16 jurisdictions outside Oakland participated in the sweep and subsequent street skirmishes under "mutual aid" agreements (some from as far away as Gilroy, California). At this point, it appears that Oakland city officials, including Mayor Jean Quan, were not aware of exactly what weapons were being used by these outside police agencies, including possibly rubber bullets (which Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan says were not used by the O.P.D.).[42]

[edit] Week 3 (October 26-November 2)

[edit] October 26: Frank Ogawa Plaza demonstration and general assembly

More than a thousand protesters gathered peacefully at Frank H. Ogawa Plaza on October 26, 2011. Participants in the general assembly (an open democratic meeting based on Occupy Wall Street's New York general assembly), held in the plaza's amphitheater, agreed to organize a general strike for November 2.[41] The Oakland Police Department released a statement confirming the use of so-called bean bag rounds.[43]

[edit] October 27: Vigil for Scott Olsen, re-encampment of plaza, statement by mayor

At least 1,000 protesters held a candlelight vigil for Scott Olsen at Frank Ogawa Plaza.[44] The plaza was re-taken by protesters with about two dozen tents erected that evening. Mayor Jean Quan issued a statement urging non-violence and asked that there be no overnight camping; however, the city did not take steps to prevent the re-occupation.[45] Scott Olsen's medical status was upgraded from "critical" to "fair" by doctors at Highland Hospital, although surgery was still being considered in order to reduce pressure on his brain.[46]

[edit] October 28: Michael Moore visits, rebuilding continues

Documentary filmmaker Michael Moore spoke to a crowd of about 1,000 protesters. In the hour-long address, Michael Moore encouraged Occupy Oakland by saying, "We've killed despair across the country and we've killed apathy." [47] Dozens of new tents have been erected in the plaza, including a medical tent provided and staffed by the California Nurses Association.[48]

[edit] See also

Occupy articles

Other U.S. protests

Related articles

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d "Occupy Oakland: Tear gas & flashbang grenades". RT. 26 October 2011. http://rt.com/news/occupy-oakland-protest-violence-773/. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
  2. ^ a b c d e f Bulwa, Demian (25 October 2011). "Police clear Occupy Oakland camps, arrest dozens". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/25/BAUB1LLTC9.DTL. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
  3. ^ Bulwa, Demian (19 October 2011). "Occupy Oakland looking to expand". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/18/MNMU1LJ2JA.DTL. Retrieved 20 October 2011. 
  4. ^ Johnson, Scott (19 October 2011). "Life at Occupy Oakland attracts range of characters". Oakland Tribune. http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_19141204. Retrieved 23 October 2011. 
  5. ^ "‘Occupy Oakland’ Encampment Becomes Bustling Community". CBS San Francisco. 20 October 2011. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/10/20/%E2%80%98occupy-oakland%E2%80%99-encampment-becomes-bustling-community/. Retrieved 23 October 2011. 
  6. ^ Bender, Kristen (22 October 2011). "inShare Freed American hikers speak to Occupy Oakland on Monday night". MercuryNews.com. http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_19132953. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  7. ^ Farooq, Sajid (13 October 2011). "Lupe Fiasco Donates to Occupy Oakland". NBC Bay Area. http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/Lupe-Fiasco-Donates-to-Occupy-Oakland-131601463.html. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  8. ^ Alston, John (18 October 2011). "'Occupy Oakland' takes over a second park". KGO. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8396951. Retrieved 23 October 2011. 
  9. ^ "‘Occupy Oakland’ Encampment Becomes Bustling Community". CBS San Francisco. 20 October 2011. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/10/20/%E2%80%98occupy-oakland%E2%80%99-encampment-becomes-bustling-community/. Retrieved 23 October 2011. 
  10. ^ Maher, Sean (11 October 2011). "Councilmember camps overnight with Occupy Oakland protesters". Contra Costa Times. http://www.contracostatimes.com/my-town/ci_19087485. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  11. ^ "Wide Range Of Causes Fuel ‘Occupy Oakland’ Protests". 11 October 2011. http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2011/10/11/wide-range-of-causes-fuel-occupy-oakland-protests/. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  12. ^ "Councilmember camps overnight with Occupy Oakland protesters". San Jose Mercury News. October 11, 2011. http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19087482. 
  13. ^ a b Maher, Sean (19 October 2011). "Rats and drugs mar Occupy Oakland tent city, officials say". San Jose Mercury News. http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_19139574. Retrieved 23 October 2011. 
  14. ^ Kuruvila, Mattai (11 October 2011). "Occupy movement in Oakland, SF housing protest". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/10/BA5T1LFU78.DTL&feed=rss.bayarea. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
  15. ^ Quintana, Sergio (15 October 2011). "Occupy Oakland holds short march during rush hour". KGO. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8392891. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
  16. ^ "Organizers say thousands took part in Oakland rally". KTVU. 15 October 2011. http://www.ktvu.com/news/29497557/detail.html. Retrieved 18 October 2011. 
  17. ^ a b "Raw Video: Freed Hikers Visit Occupy Oakland". Associated Press. October 17, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYPn1tlRF78. Retrieved October 29, 2011. 
  18. ^ "Freed American hikers speak to Occupy Oakland on Monday night". San Jose Mercury News. October 18, 2011. http://www.mercurynews.com/top-stories/ci_19132953?nclick_check=1. 
  19. ^ Alston, John (18 October 2011). "'Occupy Oakland' takes over a second park". KGO. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8396951. Retrieved 23 October 2011. 
  20. ^ "Health Dept. visits Occupy Oakland camp amid strife". KTVU. 19 October 2011. http://www.ktvu.com/news/29533894/detail.html. Retrieved 20 October 2011. 
  21. ^ October 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 2011 City of Oakland notices
  22. ^ McCleese, Tihanna (20 October 2011). "'Occupy Oakland' protesters given ultimatum". KGO. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8400403. Retrieved 21 October 2011. 
  23. ^ Fagan, Kevin (22 October 2011). "Occupy Oakland says it's not going anywhere". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/21/BA6S1LKNVB.DTL&tsp=1. Retrieved 22 October 2011. 
  24. ^ Occupy Oakland Poster. Occupyoakland.org. Accessed October 2011.
  25. ^ Kuruvila, Matthai (23 October 2011). "Occupy Oakland shuts streets, defy eviction order". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/23/MNUU1LL5KR.DTL. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
  26. ^ "RAW VIDEO: Ground footage of Occupy Oakland march and crowd dispersal". KTVU. October 25, 2011. http://www.ktvu.com/video/29587714/index.html. Retrieved October 27, 2011. 
  27. ^ "Occupy Oakland video: Riot police fire tear gas, flashbang grenades". Russia Today. October 25, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QngE6kKk8Lg. Retrieved October 26, 2011. 
  28. ^ Gladnick, PJ. "Even Mother Jones Confirms Police Provoked by Occupy Oakland Demonstrators". http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/pj-gladnick/2011/10/29/even-mother-jones-confirms-police-provoked-occupy-oakland-demonstrators. Retrieved October 30, 2011. 
  29. ^ JESSE, McKINLEY (27 October 2011). "Some Cities Begin Cracking Down on ‘Occupy’ Protests.". http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/us/oakland-and-other-cities-crack-down-on-occupy-protests.html?pagewanted=2. Retrieved 27 October 2011. 
  30. ^ Farooq, Sajid (25 October 2011). "Occupy Oakland Gets Shut Down". http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45031758#.Tqb7mHLO02I. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
  31. ^ Bender, Kristen (25 October 2011). "Early morning police raid ousts Occupy Oakland". San Jose Mercury News. http://www.mercurynews.com/bay-area-news/ci_19188591. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
  32. ^ Kuruvila, Matthai (25 October 2011). "Police tear gas Occupy Oakland protesters". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/25/BAUB1LLTC9.DTL. Retrieved 25 October 2011. 
  33. ^ Wollan, Malia (26 October 2011). "Police Fire Tear Gas at Occupy Protesters in Oakland". The New York Times. http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/10/26/police-said-to-fire-tear-gas-at-protesters-in-oakland-calif/?hp#. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
  34. ^ a b Gabbatt, Adam (2011-10-26). "Scott Olsen injuries prompt review as Occupy Oakland protests continue". United Kingdom: The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/26/scott-olsen-occupy-oakland-review. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
  35. ^ Gabbatt, Adam (2011-10-26). "Occupy Oakland protests - Wednesday 26 October". live blog (United Kingdom: The Guardian). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/oct/26/occupy-oakland-protests-live?CMP=NECNETTXT8187. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
  36. ^ Henderson, Peter; Randewich, Noel (2011-10-29). "Oakland protesters plan march, mayor apologizes". Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/29/us-usa-wallstreet-protests-oakland-idUSTRE79R5LH20111029. Retrieved 2011-10-29. "Olsen, 24, [...], was struck in the head by a tear gas canister fired on Tuesday by police, protest organizers said." 
  37. ^ "Iraq war vet injured during Oakland protests". Boston.com. October 26, 2011. http://articles.boston.com/2011-10-26/news/30324625_1_protesters-police-officers-demonstrators. 
  38. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEj_4fqDbnM
  39. ^ Adam Gabbatt (October 26, 2011). "Occupy Oakland: Iraq war veteran in critical condition after police clashes". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/oct/26/occupy-oakland-veteran-critical-condition. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
  40. ^ "Marine Veteran Injured by Non-Lethal Rounds at Occupy Oakland". Veterans Today. 26 October 2011. http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/10/26/marine-veteran-injured-by-non-lethal-rounds-at-occupy-oakland/. Retrieved 26 October 2011. 
  41. ^ a b Bender, Kristen (26 October 2011). "Occupy Oakland protesters return downtown to claim Frank Ogawa Plaza". Oakland Tribune. http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_19197518. Retrieved 27 October 2011. 
  42. ^ "The Hunt for Rubber Bullets at Occupy Oakland". The Bay Citizen. October 26, 2011. http://www.baycitizen.org/occupy-movement/story/hunt-rubber-bullets-occupy-oakland. 
  43. ^ Flock, Elizabeth (2011-10-27). "Iraq veteran Scott Olsen now in ‘fair’ condition". blogPOST (Washington Post). http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/occupy-oakland-veteran-scott-olsens-injuries-prompt-internal-police-review/2011/10/27/gIQAVrs1LM_blog.html. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
  44. ^ Dearen, Jason (27 October 2011). "Vigils for Injured Vet, Police Clear Tenn. Protest". Associated Press. http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/wall-street-protesters-hold-vigils-injured-vet-14831926. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  45. ^ Bulwa, Demian (28 October 2011). "Some tents reappear at Occupy Oakland site". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/28/MNHK1LN717.DTL. Retrieved 28 October 2011. 
  46. ^ Gabbatt, Adam (2011-10-27). "Occupy Oakland - police under scrutiny Thursday 27 October". live blog (United Kingdom: The Guardian). http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/oct/27/occupy-oakland-police-live?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487. Retrieved 2011-10-29. 
  47. ^ "Michael Moore: Occupy movement "killed apathy"". CBS News. 29 October 2011. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-20127435/michael-moore-occupy-movement-killed-apathy/. Retrieved 29 October 2011. 
  48. ^ Kuruvila, Matthai (29 October 2011). "Occupy Oakland: inspiration, frustration at return". San Francisco Chronicle. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/29/MN951LNTGB.DTL. Retrieved 29 October 2011. 

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