The Occupy Oakland General Assembly has declared February 6 as a 'day of action' against police brutality against Occupy movement protesters.
Occupy Oakland has faced heavy police repression since its inception. From the first police raid on October 25th, when the camp was violently destroyed and people were brutally tear gassed and shot with rubber bullets, to the recent targeted snatchings and arrests of the last couple weeks, and finally to the attack on Occupy Oakland in its attempt to move into a vacant building which manifested itself in tear gas, rubber bullets, assault grenades and the mass arrest of up to 400 people last night, Oakland's Police Department and City Government have made it clear that they will continue to target and repress those in Occupy Oakland in the attempt to squash the movement that challenges their exploitation, and oppression of the people of Oakland and the %99.
Often those arrested have had their charges dropped after spending several days in jail due to lack of evidence.
The newest tactic being used by the state is stay away orders, given to those arrested, making it illegal for those arrested to be in the vicinity of Oscar Grant Plaza essentially making it illegal to participate in future Occupy Oakland events. Manyof these people have been around since the beginning of occupy and are key organizers for different committees and actions.
While many members of occupy have come to support those arrested at arraignments, picked people up from jail when they were released, called local officials or marched in solidarity with those who have been repressed, Occupy Oakland has yet to have a chance to present our side of the facts in court. Feb. 6 will be Occupy Oakland' s day for that.
On this day, it will be the first time that lawyers working with Occupy will be able to argue against the repressive tactics used by the OPD and present evidence of unlawful activities and arrests. occupyoakland.org
FACTS & FIGURES
Oakland police have responded to the Occupy movement with flash grenades, rubber bullets, tear gas and firing of “non-lethal” weapons directly at protesters.
The Alameda Labor Council, the local labor federation in Oakland, has denounced the police crackdowns singling out for criticism Mayor Jean Quan and the City Council. firedoglake.com
The Courage Campaign, a 700,000-member activist organization in California, has gone out with a petition demanding that Mayor Quan investigate the police brutality in Oakland. firedoglake.com
Scott Olsen, 24 and an Iraq war veteran, suffered a fractured skull and brain swelling after he was hit in the head by a police projectile during the clashes on October 25. Guardian
A second Iraq war veteran suffered serious injuries in November after clashes between police and Occupy movement protesters in Oakland. Guardian
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