The right to peaceable assembly is now restricted to between the hours of 6am and 10pm. So says Mayor Jean Quan of Oakland and the Oakland Police Department. Mayor Quan also commended the police chief for "a generally peaceful resolution to a situation that deteriorated and concerned our community." I guess it depends on what your definition of "generally" is.
OPD also said some things in a press release yesterday that appear to be contradicted by accounts of the early Tuesday morning raid on Occupy Oakland. Like
Really?:
Doesn't look that way to me:
I guess they missed these people:
OPD also said some things in a press release yesterday that appear to be contradicted by accounts of the early Tuesday morning raid on Occupy Oakland. Like
Q. Did the Police deploy rubber bullets, flash-bag grenades?
A. No, the loud noises that were heard originated from M-80 explosives thrown at Police by protesters.
Really?:
Q. Did the Police use tear gas?
A. Yes, the Police used a limited amount of tear gas for a small area as a defense against protesters who were throwing various objects at Police Officers as they approached the area.
Doesn't look that way to me:
Q. Where there any injures?
A. At this time, there are no reported injuries.
I guess they missed these people:
I was around back then. And I remember lots of rallies where the POLICE were "out of control". If I recall, that only increased the resolve of the protesters.
I am very sorry to see this result. OTOH, I am encouraged to see all the people that feel the same way that I do and are willing to stand up and be counted. Maybe, just MAYBE, our country has a chance for REAL CHANGE.
And, breaking news from the White House on this.......THERE IE NO BREAKING NEWS FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ON THIS.
It's kind of strange that right after I commented above, Keith Olbermann basically repeated my thoughts, expanding upon them.
We are in trouble, folks...
Many of us can remember the anti-war and black power rallies during the 60's, and one thing remains startlingly clear. The Oakland Bay area is the most dangerous place in the United States to hold a rally of any kind. The place is overpopulated, and pressurized rednecks abound with their hateful batons and gas ready to bash in the heads of anyone bold enough to be 'different'.
I was in the military taking Spanish courses at DLIWC in Monterey and made many trips up there to investigate the fascinating music venues, see Berkeley, and so on. Even then I was shocked at the change on my motorcycle when I crossed over the Bay Bridge from Berkeley and went through Oakland. It was incredibly seamy and scary at night.
I feel for those people. They are in extreme danger in their demonstration, and it has just begun.