Tension remains after "Occupy Oakland" clashes

OAKLAND, Calif. - The scene was calm but tense early Wednesday as a crowd of hundreds of protesters dwindled to just a few dozen at the site of several clashes between authorities and supporters of the Occupy Wall Street movement a night earlier.

Police in riot gear stood watch only a few yards away from a group of stalwart demonstrators in the aftermath of skirmishes in front of City Hall that resulted in five volleys of tear gas from police, in blasts that seemed to intensify with each round, over a roughly three-hour stretch of evening scuffles.

The conflict began much earlier in the day when police dismantled an encampment of Occupy Wall Street protesters that had dominated a plaza across the street from the government building for more than two weeks.

Police fired tear gas and beanbag rounds, clearing out the makeshift city in less than an hour.

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Hours after nightfall Tuesday evening, protesters had gathered at a downtown library and began marching toward City Hall in an attempt to re-establish a presence in the area of the disbanded camp.

They were met by police officers in riot gear. Several small skirmishes broke out and officers cleared the area by firing tear gas.

The scene repeated itself several times just a few blocks away in front of the plaza, where police set up behind metal barricades, preventing protesters from gaining access to the site.

Tensions would build as protesters edged ever closer to the police line and reach a breaking point with a demonstrator hurling a bottle or rock, prompting police to respond with another round of gas.

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The chemical haze hung in the air for hours, new blasts clouding the air before the previous fog could dissipate.

The number of protesters diminished with each round of tear gas. Police estimated that there were roughly 1,000 demonstrators at the first clash following the march, at least one of whom was injured when what appeared to be a tear gas canister hit his head, reports CBS News correspondent John Blackstone.

About 200 remained after the final conflict around 11:15 PDT, mostly young adults, some riding bicycles, protecting themselves from the noxious fumes with bandanas and scarves wrapped around their faces.

Police have denied reports that they used flash bang canisters to help break up the crowds, saying the loud noises came from large firecrackers thrown at police by protesters.

Helicopters scanned the area late Tuesday and scores of officers wearing helmets and carrying clubs patrolled the streets. Fire crews put out small blazes in trash containers.

Protesters moved about uneasily even as one used a bull horn to express his resolve.

"This movement is more than just the people versus the police," Mario Fernandez said. "It's about the people trying to have their rights to basic services."

He added, "This crowd isn't going anywhere anytime soon."

Acting Police Chief Howard Jordan told reporters at a late night news conference that authorities had no other choice, saying the protesters were throwing rocks and bottles at officers.

"We had to deploy gas to stop the crowd," he said, according to a KCBS report.

City officials say that two officers were injured. At least five protesters were arrested and several others injured in the evening clashes.

In the morning raid authorities removed about 170 demonstrators who had been staying in the area overnight after repeatedly being warned that such a camp was illegal and they faced arrest by remaining. City officials said 97 people were arrested.

Protesters promised to reconvene Wednesday morning. Police, meanwhile, remained in riot gear standing watch.

The Oakland site was among numerous camps that have sprung up around the country as protesters rally against what they see as corporate greed and a wide range of other economic issues. The protests have attracted a wide range of people, including college students looking for work and the homeless.

But police and some neighbors in cities around the country have started losing patience as protesters prepare to settle in for winter in camps without running water or working toilets. Businesses and residents near New York's Zuccotti Park, the unofficial headquarters of the movement that began in mid-September, are demanding something be done to discourage the hundreds of protesters from urinating in the street and making noise at all hours.

But a plurality of Americans has expressed sympathy with the goals of the Occupy Wall Street movement. According to a CBS News/New York Times poll released Tuesday, 43 percent of Americans agree with the protesters that wealth in America should be spread more evenly. Just 27 percent disagreed with an additional 30 percent saying they weren't sure.

In Atlanta, police closed the downtown park where more than 50 demonstrators had been arrested following days of protests.

Police announced late Wednesday morning that the park is closed, and anyone there risks being arrested. Authorities did not say how long the park would remain closed.

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed said in a statement that 53 arrests were made after protesters moved from peacefully demonstrating to "increasingly aggressive actions" in recent days.

Reed said one man had walked through the park with an assault rifle, and demonstrators had inserted wire hangers into electrical sockets to create additional power sources.

Demonstrators who were arrested in the predawn hours Wednesday were awaiting court hearings later in the morning. Organizers of Occupy Atlanta were also planning a news conference at City Hall Wednesday afternoon.

And in San Francisco, officials are warning anti-Wall Street protesters camped out in a city plaza that they face arrest if they continue to stay there around the clock.

In a notice distributed on Tuesday, Police Chief Greg Suhr said the protesters in Justin Herman Plaza could be arrested on a variety of sanitation or illegal camping violations although police are not saying when that could occur.

Protesters in Justin Herman Plaza said they weren't worried about the latest warning from city officials. Police have taken down a previous Occupy San Francisco camp in the plaza and also cleared another camp outside the Federal Reserve Bank downtown.

[nottellin1]

"According to a CBS News/New York Times poll released Tuesday, 43 percent of Americans agree with the protesters that wealth in America should be spread more evenly"

OK, let's pretend for a minute that this is actually possible. I'd like to know who decides how to spread the wealth?

Not the Fed, we know they can't be trusted top be fair.
So who?

One more point I'd like to make is: how do we allow the police to kick us out of locations that belong to US! All city park property & maintenence is paid for by taxpayers, not by police, mayors, governors, or the President. The government owns nothing in this country, the people own everything. THAT IS HOW I WOULD BE FIGHTING AN ARREST!

[g-h-o-s-t-13]

the denial of the use of flash bang, gas canisters is proven false by a video of an officer lobbing said type of grenade at those that came to the aid of the downed veteran, though i also feel that those that initiate violent confrontations from either side are equally wrong.

[greco99-2009]

There are easily accessible videos that show the officer throwing the flash-bang grenade at people who are unarmed, pose no threat and are coming to the aid of a person who is gravely injured. Several of these videos even show the grenade toss in slow motion. If a police spokesperson is trying to deny this they should be fired at the least.

[arthanyel]

A Quick Primer on Occupy Wall Street vs. the Tea Party

OWS is protesting:

Corporations are too big. They don't care about average people. Working people are suffering while wealthy corporate heads make bundles of money, exploit or layoff workers, and take away people's rights.

The Tea Party is protesting

Government is too big. They don't care about average people. Working people are suffering while the government taxes too much, spends too much, and takes away people's rights.

What they BOTH should be protesting:

Corporations donate huge sums of money to the election campaigns of government officials. Government officials of both parties depend on corporate donations to get elected and re-elected. Lobbyists from corporations write legislation, which elected officials adopt. BOTH GOVERNMENT AND CORPORATIONS are responsible for the financial mess we are in, aided and abetted by the courts, whose justices are appointed by the same government officials.

Some key fun facts:

16 out of 17 federal elections are won by the candidate with the most money; this means Congress is owned by the rich.

Corporations outspend unions in campaign donations by a ratio of 50 to 1., and that ratio has DOUBLED in the last 6 years.

[arthanyel]

by brianwwb What's wrong with FOX? The libtards hate it so it has to be good.

----- cut here -----

Fox is a consewrvative propaganda machine. They order theior employees to lie and fabricate informaiotn to support conservastve positions, and they fire them if they refuse (that's from the COURT RECORDS of wrongful terminaiton suits against them, by the way).

The lead all major networks in the most lies per year, most lies per week, most "Pants On Fire" lies by Politifact, and have won the Lie of the Year award for both 2009 and 2010, no doubt they will win again in 2011.

If you want to watch Pravda and conservative drivel, watch Fox. If you want the truth, watch almost anything else except MSNBC.

[Hala_c]

Hey, Mort...

l i a rrr
l a a r r
l i aaaaa r r AAAAAHHHHHAAAAHHHHHAAAAAHHHAAAA!!!!
l i a a r
lllll i a a r Good night!

[acommoner]

Why not demonstrate/advocate for something that would bring about real change? - Fair Free Trade - The key to sustainable recovery is the return of manufacturing (maker) jobs to the USA. US American Jobs will not return to the USA until 3/4 of our Local Governments adopt a policy of County Wide Fair Free Trade Zones. Where all products and/or services offered for sale/use in "The Zone" (be it county, state, or nation) must be produced and/or provided in accordance with all USA; quality, safety, health, environment and wage standards, and no one is even talking about this option. Go to: www.manifestry.info > Fair Free Trade

[arthanyel]

Not a bad idea at all. But OWS isn't protesting this, they are protesting the fact that corporations and the rich have hijacked our republic, turned it into a plutocracy, and have rigged the game so they are doubling their wealth while everyone else is in decline.

[Leadfootedrabbit]

While the OWS movement purports to represent the 99%, the more I see and hear with my own ears and eyes, the more I wonder "99% of what?"

Read more at http://www.leadfootedrabbit.com/2011/10/99-of-what.html

[miami_don]

Trix are for kids.

[arthanyel]

The bottom 99% of the US citizens, of course. And your liunk is complete nonsense. Occupy Wall Street is not protesting conservatives - there are many conservatives involved. They are not pro-Democrat, they dislikew the Democrats as much as the Republicans.

What they are protesting is very clear: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK1MOMKZ8BI

They don't mind that Wall Street people are rich. They object to the fact that they CHEAT.

For another excellent summation here is another good article: http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/blogs/taibblog/owss-beef-wall-street-isnt-winning-its-cheating-20111025

Or this, for a description of why you don't understand them: http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/05/opinion/rushkoff-occupy-wall-street/

[alanrobisch]

The debate her is typical left wing baloney. A vet involved in a violent resistence to legitimate police action is hurt and the police become the bad guys. Sounds like every other leftist civil disobedience. They have the right to disobey the police without expecting any consequences.

Its really quite simple the occupiers want notoriety and if they had simply left peacefully then no national coverage but if they resist and cause an inciedent thye get national coverage.

I noted in the article that a plurality was said to agree with the occupiers thats down from a previous poll. obviously the writer has a sympathy for the demonstrators aka anachist aka narcissists aka left wing loons. Liberal press gives positive spin to violent refusal follow police orders but demonizes tea party for their non violent actions

[arthanyel]

Complete conserevative propaganda. The vet was peacefully protesting, he was not involved in any violence, and after he was shot in the head, peopple came over to render aid and an officer tossed a grenade into their midst, doing the vet additional damage.

And the occupiers are not communists, annarchists, or any other kind of lunatics, that is also completely conservative propaganda.

[sociallyjust]

RAJAT GUPTA INDICTED FOR FRAUD, INSIDER TRADING

WILL OUR LAWS AND OUR DISHONEST LEGAL/JUSTICE SYSTEM REMAIN RESPECTED AND FOLLOWED?

OR...

WILL THE PEOPLE/VICTIMS TAKE CHARGE AND GO AFTER THOSE WHO THUS FAR HAVE BEEN WRONGFULLY PROTECTED AND LICENSED TO LIE, MISLEAD, CHEAT, SWINDLE AND STEAL, BY THAT SAME FRAUDULENT SYSTEM OF THE PRIVILEGED, OF THE ELITISTS, AND OF THE RICH?

Historical parallels have begun to display 'red flag' warnings, to the current-day, selfish, greedy, corrupt power-wielding aristocracy. These warnings from the abused, frustrated and ripped off working class are often 'extra judicial' resolution, replete with revenge and violence against ...
... certain elements who continue to cover up, to lie, cheat and swindle the populace, and not come clean and give back what they have wrongfully and criminally 'taken' in and by their advantageous positions. There is no shortage of the financially screwed victims who are swearing and pledging to hunt down and drag the 'financiers', 'banksters', and other (often corporate execs) out of their homes and hiding places...
...if current government, Law Enforcement, and our Judiciary, continues to grant them immunity and protection for said financiers', investment bankers', and corporate execs' obvious financial - as well as nation-wrecking - crimes.

CALLS FOR DISGORGEMENT ARE COMMONPLACE AND ON THE INCREASE
It is feared that the current, rotten-to-the-core system, which pervades our halls of justice, Congress, Senate, and The Presidency, thereby slapping the working people in the face, can be torn down and replaced extra judicially by ...
... the desperate, swindled people who deserve better.

[noloyalisti]

What we have to do now is to urge the City of Oakland to reel in the Banksters and the Wall Street criminal elements that are destroying America.

Let's not forget the bottom line of the Occupy Together 99% Movement. The movement craps bigger than the City of Oakland.

[arthanyel]

brianwwb: Complete conservative propaganda, 100% fact free. The protestors are not communists, socialists, or criminals and they have no interest in destroying America or trying to destabilize it. They just want economic justice.