Ash writes: "Armed only with a growing chant of "Our streets!" the marchers moved forward towards the line of police in riot gear. Shoulder to shoulder in non-violent defiance, the marchers tried to filter through the line of riot-armored police. The police attacked the marchers with their truncheons, mostly spearing at protesters' midsections."
Oakland Police attempt to halt a non-violent march with truncheons, 10/25/11. (photo: Marc Ash/RSN)
A Witness to the Violence in Oakland
26 October 11
Reader Supported News | Report
The function of a civil resistance is to provoke response
and we will continue to provoke until they respond or
change the law. They are not in control; we are.
-- Gandhi
f Gandhi was right, yesterday's Civil Resistance Action in Oakland, California, achieved all of its aims. By day's end a heavily-armed, fully-militarized police force was in control of Frank Ogawa Plaza, but Occupy Oakland was in control of the agenda.
Two major confrontations occurred between police and protesters in Oakland, both marked by non-violent restraint on the part of the protesters and a lack of restraint - each time leading to violence - by the police.
The day began with a fully-coordinated assault by riot police on Occupy Oakland's encampment in Frank Ogawa Plaza. The police have charged one protester with resisting arrest. What is not in dispute is that they used tear gas, beanbag shotgun rounds and rubber bullets. In all, 95 protesters were arrested, mostly charged with unlawful camping violations.
The second confrontation began with a rally at the Oakland Public Library. Occupy Oakland organizers obtained permission from the Oakland Library to meet there to discuss their options. The meeting was announced on the OccupyOakland website with a 4 pm start. By 4 pm, the area in front of the Library was packed with over 2,000 resisters determined to make a stand or, more precisely, undertake a march against the razing of the encampment that morning, and to reclaim it. The mood was passionate and upbeat, but there was a clear understanding that between the Library and the Plaza the marchers would be confronted by police ... in riot gear, of course. Many, many of them.
As the march began I remained out in front of the crowd with about two dozen other independent cameramen and women. We tried to stay in position to film any potential confrontation between the police, who were everywhere, and the protesters who were on the march. The refrain of "Keep it non-violent!" was heard as often as "Our streets!"
Perhaps not surprisingly, media reports have chronically underestimated the size of the crowd.
Within three blocks the crowd had swelled to 2,500 strong and was growing as it ran into its first police blockade. It turned to avoid a confrontation - a process that would be repeated again and again as the police forced the march off course both south and east of Ogawa Plaza. Not that it would have mattered because the Plaza itself was guarded by over 100 police in full riot gear. No unarmed, non-violent protester had any chance of making it into that Plaza. Period.
For a time the marchers and the police continued to play out the drama in a fairly predictable manner. Time and again, it was the police escalating the situation. They began to basically break up the march. They relied on two main tactics: first, sever the march by blocking it off into sections; second, cut it into pieces by inserting lines of riot gear-clad officers into the column of marchers. That had the effect of chopping the march into sections. The other tactic was direct confrontation. Park a line of police in front of the march and say, "You'll have to march through this if you want to keep going." That worked for a while, but then the marchers decided that they were not going to take it anymore.
Armed only with a growing chant of "Our streets!" the marchers moved forward towards the line of police in riot gear. Shoulder to shoulder in non-violent defiance, the marchers tried to filter through the line of riot-armored police. The police attacked the marchers with their truncheons, mostly spearing at protesters' midsections. It did not work.
The marchers took the blows, overwhelmed the police and kept on marching. The police, however, were not to be outdone and singled out one of the marchers for arrest, quickly throwing him to the ground and forming a circle around the conspicuous incident in the middle of the march. A melee ensued. The demonstrators encircled the police, shouting "Shame!" and "Let him go!" Again the police attacked with truncheons and the demonstrators pushed back with their hands. The crowd began to pelt the police with water bottles and paint ... red and blue paint.
By this point the march had been repeatedly interrupted and was splintering. The police again blocked the path of the section of the march I was in, which was now moving towards the police station. This time they used more officers. The marchers halted and a standoff followed. An announcement was made on a megaphone, "This is an unlawful assembly! Disperse now or you will be arrested!" I began to work my way out of what was quickly becoming a kettle. I made it out, but another young woman did not. A riot-clad police officer stopped her and ordered her back into the crowd. So, clearly the crowd was told to disperse, but not allowed to do so. I maneuvered free and moved carefully around and back towards Ogawa Plaza. There I would find a "public plaza" under military siege. Entry would have been impossible. My cellphone and camera batteries were running low and so was I. I made the decision to pull out with the film I had.
Whatever meaning the Occupy Movement represents to the protesters who participate, to the Oakland Police Department, and the system they are paid to protect, it obviously represents something to be feared and repressed ... violently, and even lethally, if necessary. The police that confronted the people in the streets of Oakland, California, were scared, their riot gear notwithstanding. Make no mistake about it. More importantly their corporate employers are scared, too.
Several Northern California police departments were pulled in to support the siege in Oakland. It was more than the Oakland Police Department itself could handle. The alternative to all of this insanity was to let the kids camp out in the park. That was apparently a greater threat than turning downtown Oakland into war zone.
Yesterday the police, the city fathers and the commercial media saw Oakland and made their decisions based on that. But they did not see the movement within its "world-wide" context. This is big ... very big, and spreading rapidly across the United States and around the world. And there is no indication that police violence can stop it.
Marc Ash was formerly the founder and Executive Director of Truthout, and is now founder and Editor of Reader Supported News.
Reader Supported News is the Publication of Origin for this work. Permission to republish is freely granted with credit and a link back to Reader Supported News.
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Comments
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readersupportednews.org/off-site-opinion-section/83-83/5602-of-the-1-by-the-1-for-the-1
1 hr. Ago - LA TIMES:
Gov. Jerry Brown to unveil 12-point pension overhaul
Brown will propose benefits for new state workers that combine elements of traditional pensions with a 401(k)-style savings plan. He
says the state can no longer afford its current retirement system.
See THE SUCKER PUNCH at www.deadlyclear.com
I am in Spain and coincidentally had the opportunity to watch my favorite movie about my hero in history "Gandhi" last night. Marc's account reminded me of journalist Walker's account of the Indian marchers to take back the salt mines from the unjust British rule of that commodity in India.
It brought tears and pride to my eyes and heart.
Namaste!
N.
What is the reasoning behind this? Seems like an unwise move to me. Why give anybody any reason at all whatsoever to think that protestors were attacking police? Strikes me as totally unnecessary and not terribly meaningful or provocative of anything but irritation on the part of police. Not a well thought-out tactic. And if OWS is going to be an effective movement, the tactics must be well thought-out.
That said, of course the bulk of the clinically insane have become the base of the Republican Party. Gone is Lincoln, Garfield, Teddy Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Ford & even Reagan.
But, there are some of us "oldies" still around that know what a Republic really is and we stand with you and we will not support our elected officials, the police, the army in any suppression of your sacred mission. Your movement is not our "problem". The many points you highlight is the problem and something needs TO BE DONE ABOUT THE REAL PROBLEMS ! ! !
Stand proud but with hold the necessity to lower yourself to their level as that is what will be read not the Peaceful, Non Violent approach
The barricades and the guns will come in. A great advantage will be lost because the police, like the soldiers coming home from Iraq, are part of the 99%. We must not hurt them even though we have been taught from childhood to fight.
But, our fight is with the 1% and we must not forget that for a second. We must declare our fight is not with anyone from the 99%. I appeal to all police and returning soldiers to march with us in honor of Soldier Olsen, who stood from Freedom in War and in Peace, against our enemies "Foreign & Domestic".
Scott Olsen, 24, remains sedated on a respirator, in stable but critical condition at Oakland’s Highland Hospital after being hit in the head with a police projectile.
'Right now, he's under sedation," [Keith] Shannon [Olsen's roommate] said ... doctors found that there was swelling in Olsen's brain and put him under. He did not get a chance to talk to his friend. 'They are waiting for a neurosurgeon to examine him to see if he needs surgery or not,' Shannon said. If he doesn't need an operation, he'll be moved to the intensive care unit.
... Olsen had been attending Occupy San Francisco events and had answered the call to join Occupy Oakland in solidarity.
'He doesn't agree with the way the banks aren't regulated, the way they drove the economy in the ground. He wants there to be regulation of the banks,' Shannon said.
'He was just hit by a projectile,' said Shannon, who ... heard about the incident from eyewitnesses. 'He wasn't near a police officer when it happened.'
... Olsen was never injured during his two tours in Iraq."
Jason Cherkis, HuffingtonPost
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/26/iraq-vet-oakland-police-tear-gas_n_1033159.html
"Police have said they did not use flash bang grenades to clear demonstrators, but some sort of explosive is clearly thrown into the crowd in the footage.
... This video shows a little more of the lead up from before a police officer throws an explosive device.
From around 30 seconds in, a figure lies prone on the floor infront of the police line, and it looks as if a crowd gathers in a bid to help them. It is then that the explosive device is thrown into the group by police.
The video then cuts to footage of the injured person being carried away, bleeding from a head wound."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2011/oct/26/occupy-oakland-protests-live
(with no offense intended to poultry)
It is time for the police to refuse orders to arrest citizens who are doing nothing but pointing out the most serious injustice affecting the people at this time, asking for redress.
The violence of the oakland police will be remembered. The Boston Massacre killed 5 colonists. That was never forgotten and began that march leading to the repudiation of the King.
If our redress is false, then let us disperse. But, if our cause be True, then God will not allow us to halt our effort. We must go on. And, on.
I'm watching all this from the internet. I'm an old guy that no body wants to come down there. I will kick some ass and all you cops will want to wish you had been nice to the nice guys. People like me are just as pissed off and we will come down there when we have to.
There are somewhere around 50 million people that are just as pissed off as I am. The "Money First" people, the banks and corporations had better back off and the government better get revved pretty soon. What are they going to do when the police sit down and the soldiers, like Olsen, sit down or join us because they know that THIS CAUSE IS A JUST ONE AND A MOST IMPORTANT ONE?
Clearly what is afoot is that the cops are being pushed to abuse the protesters until one of them fights back in some way that can be interpreted as "violent." Then the shooting will start in earnest, and the bullets will not be rubber. This is the Fascists' fondest DREAM!
Blessed are they who can withstand the miseries and maltreatment, in the names of all the rest of us. We ALL know that appealing to humanity and reason, considering what is running this sordid political show, is pissing in the wind. What our Soldiers of Conscience are doing is the way to go -- as long as non-violence can endure.
We have to remember -- the Fascists have the money, the media, the guns and the voting machines in their control. We have the conviction -- and, we hope, the numbers. Personally, I shall pray.
Yet there are real problems: not playing (e.g., your mortgage business) by the rules, trading worthless securities (hedge funds anybody?) taking undue advantage of the financially powerless (mortgages for people without down payments?) amassing fortunes for no good purpose (did you get a bonus? Not me, my Social Security's flat), declaring corporations "people," tho they don't bleed or breathe, diluting rules made to protect consumers. I could go on. But that's the point of #OWS.
One thing that appalls me is the numbers of people either not working or not in school who have time for day-long occupations. Who's working on that? My city just got a short-term employment bump: a large corporation with manufacturing facilities here just got flooded out in Thailand, so there will be jobs for some for 6 months or a year here. Thank goodness for some dumb luck. It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good, sorry as I am for the refugees from the Thai floods.
You can add eviscerating the EPA to your list, bubbiesue, with policies that continue allowing our nation to pollute the rest of the world by our over-consuming society.
The root issue of climate change is going to destroy millions of innocent people if we don't change our policies and our consumption patterns. We've lived far too long off the backs and resources of poor people throughout the world, which is something each of us who keeps pumping money into an egregious economic model must own up to.
This issue complicates an already overly complicated situation. Our struggle here must include considering what we want out of this process along with how we are going to change the way we impact the rest of the world - 5% of the world's population using more than six times the resources the rest of the world uses.
Blaming China or India is obfuscation and denial of our personal responsibilitie s to change our consumption patterns and unsustainable lifestyles, which are far and away the progenitors of a world in decline.
Until WE change there will be no change - even if we win this OWS struggle.
What a way to welcome back and honor our service people fighting for freedom in Iraq, shameful just shameful.
to Toribeh:.. ."Those occupying wil win" Exactly WHAT will those occupying win?
In Nature their are neither Rewards nor Punishment There is only Consequences. Ingersoll Perhaps the Consequences here in our lifetime will be the realization that we are not going to let the USA sink.
Mindless can not realize.
The cops in Egypt were better Americans than those cops in Oakland.
Shame, shame, shame on them. I would not want to meet my maker in any of their shoes.
Great job Marc filming and reporting this story. OWS will win!
But American but Buy Responsibly...r ead your labels. I am sorry for those of you who see our boycott as a slap in your face but if you Voted for the Slugs, undo the wrong.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=27324
"... protesters from Tahrir Square, Egypt, say this is what it looked like there."
Maybe sooner than later these peaceful demonstrations will turn into a revolution and the cops spearing the mid section of the demonstrators with their truncheons, using rubber bullets etc. will get shot.
they do this phony noisemaking to make it look to the sheeple when this is caught on camera as if we are willful disobedients. The underlying message is that Obedient sheep will be okay. So the Sheeple relax their sphincters and watch other TV. Little do they know it's only a matter of time before that is all they can do if they are lucky. The world crumbles around them and they do nothing because they are petrified from the images they willingly believe in and consume in the corporate dreamworld along with all the GMO junk that will kill them early.
We will save ourselves or else. That is the only possible solution. Please Oakland find a way to recall the Mayor and City Council. If you elect a police chief start the recall process. Scott Olsen is the first casualty of the American Autumn and certainly will not be the last. We should all be wearing black armbands today.
Given our profitized medical system I hope there is a fund to help with Mr. Olsen's medical expenses.
Similarly, the police are apparently taking the opportunity to use the occupy movement to give "combat training" to their officers, who will be called upon to ever more brutally protect the excessive privileges of the 1%. Make no mistake, unless the apathetic 90% demands police accountability and rule of law instead of violence, then it will continue to escalate.
"donated" about $1M (can't remember exact amount) to the NY PD.
Oakland had Police from as far away as Pleasanton. So who was watching to "store in Pleasanton"?
It is UP to the Democrats in Congress to stand up to the rhetoric pulsating from Paul Ryan, Ed Cantor, Turtle from KY, Boehner against the 99ers and blaming President Obama! I hope they find their voices soon!
VOTE DEM VOTE OBAMA - Get everyone (minorities / old etc.) registered and mail-in ballots bc the GOP/TP have warned us they will pull "everything" to suppress Dem votes.
Thanks for the article Mr. Ash.
Go WI, OH, Elizabeth Warren and all who will make the TP/GOP Congress get it or get out!
VOTE DEM VOTE OBAMA
http://www.getmoneyout.com/
VOTE DEM - for another reason. Ginsberg will likely leave in the next 5 years and do you really want a 6-3 decision on everything from the Stupremes. A democratic house can start proceedings to impeach Scalia/Thomas --
VOTE in the most important election to date 2012 - VOTE Obama - Vote Dem -- get absentee ballots (mail-ins) and make sure the Hispanic districts are informed their IDs are free bc our elections and voting rights are "still" free.
This is THE REAL DEAL "teapartiers". This is what REAL grass roots resistence looks like.
Those "2nd Amendment remedies" the right wants to threaten the rest of us with, never work. They fantasize they can over power the U.S. government with guns, which is hillarious. The only thing they're out to protect are the guns themselves.
THIS is what it looks like when people have something LEGITIMATE to petition their government about.
THIS is the way out of Afghanistan,
THIS is the way to end the "patriot" Act,
THIS is the way to tell the "supercommittee s" where they can stick it,
THIS is the way to get some accountability back to our government,
THIS is the way to end the failed-free reign of milton friedmann,
THIS is the way to wake the President up and remind him of HIS OWN VOTERS.
The Kock brothers, rupert murdoch, sarah bachmann, and halliburton COMBINED aren't big enough to stop this.
THIS IS THE REAL DEAL. These protesters are TRUE AMERICA-LOVING PATRIOTS! And I, for one, haven't been this proud of my country in a LONG LONG time.
It's hard for most cops to look in the mirror!
Memo to police acting as Gestapo: these citizens and patriots are marching for YOUR RIGHTS, for your inclusion of the American dream. Lay down your weapons and call in sick days as a means of supporting those that support you.
Lets not forget that Marine who is fighting for his life.
As YOU, are 'doing their protesting for them'. They, just don't know this! and, are "useful idiots for NOT knowing this"!
The BIG 3 banks just unloaded their derivative packages to the F.D.I.C.
So the National Debt, is NOW over 100 Trillion $$$! (The 1%'s answer, to OWS 99%?)
That's up from 14.6 Trillion last week! And the police, not being AWARE of this, THINK you are there to cause trouble! This will make life as Hard for them, as it will for us. How? By Higher Taxes/CO$T$$! (Up to 10 X more.)
"All gamblers debts, are ONLY owed, by the gambler"....
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