Occupy Oakland shuts down port

Occupy Oakland demonstrators stand on top of a parked semi truck as thousands marched from downtown Oakland, Calif., to the port of Oakland on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011. / AP Photo

Updated 12:28 a.m. ET

OAKLAND, Calif. - Several thousand Occupy Wall Street demonstrators gathering in Oakland forced a halt to operations at the nation's fifth busiest port Wednesday evening, escalating a movement whose tactics had largely been limited to marches, rallies and tent encampments since it began in September.

Police estimated that a crowd of about 3,000 had gathered at the Port of Oakland by about 5 p.m. PDT. Some had marched from the city's downtown, while others had been bused to the port.

Port spokesman Isaac Kos-Read said evening maritime operations had been "effectively shut down."

Hours later the crowd began to dwindle and a voice on a bullhorn declared a victory for the movement, saying, "The port has been shut down. Let's head back to the plaza" downtown across from City Hall.

The announcement prompted a stream of demonstrators to also vacate the area, but many of the remaining protesters -- several hundred stalwarts -- stayed put, waiting for confirmation from port officials that overnight operations had also been halted.

Kos-Read said at around 9 p.m. that a decision had not yet been made on any additional shut downs, but trucks that had been idling were leaving the area. Officials had said earlier that they planned to re-open the port as soon as it was safe to do so.

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The protest at the port had been peaceful and there was no police action or arrests, though authorities were on standby. Interim Oakland police chief Howard Jordan warned that protesters who went inside the port's gates would be committing a federal offense.

In Philadelphia, protesters were arrested earlier Wednesday as they held a sit-in at the headquarters of cable giant Comcast. Military veterans marched in uniform in New York, angry at their dim job prospects. And parents and their kids, some in strollers, formed a "children's brigade" to join the Oakland, Calif., rallies.

"There's absolutely something wrong with the system," said Jessica Medina, a single mother who attends school part time and works at an Oakland cafDe. "We need to change that."

Occupy Oakland protesters close the intersection of 14th and Broadway in downtown Oakland, Calif., Nov. 2, 2011.

/ AP Photo

In Los Angeles, New York and other cities, demonstrators held their own rallies in solidarity with the Oakland protesters, who called for Wednesday's "general strike" after the city became a rallying point last week when an Iraq War veteran was injured in clashes with police.

Protesters, city officials and business leaders were optimistic the strike would be peaceful, and there was little to no visible police presence all day.

Although windows at two bank branches and a Whole Foods store were broken and graffiti was painted inside one of the banks, officials described the protests as peaceful and orderly and said no arrests had been made.

"It is important to acknowledge the world is watching Oakland tonight," city administrator Deanna Santana said as demonstrators began to gather at the port. "And we need to ensure it remains a safe place for everyone."

Potentially minimizing any significant disruptions at the port, leaders of the longshoremen's union said they could not call for members to join the protests under their contract with the port.

Organizers say they want to stop the "flow of capital." The port sends goods primarily to Asia, including wine as well as rice, fruits and nuts, and handles imported electronics, apparel and manufacturing equipment, mostly from Asia, as well as cars and parts from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai.

Craig Merrilees, spokesman for the International Longshore and Warehouse Union, said its members were not being called to strike, but that they supported the protesters.

The members "are supporting the concerns raised by Occupy Oakland and the Occupy movement to speak up for the 99 percent and against the corporate greed that is wrecking America," Merrilees said.

Elsewhere, police in Philadelphia arrested nine protesters who staged a sit-in inside the Comcast lobby. Officers handcuffed them and led into police vans as supporters cheered.

One protester, Bri Barton, said she was there because the gleaming Comcast tower represents excessive wealth in a city with many blighted neighborhoods. "It's hard for me to see this and that existing in the same city," she said.

In New York, about 100 military veterans marched in uniform and stopped in front of the New York Stock Exchange, standing in loose formation as police officers on scooters separated them from the entrance. On the other side was a lineup of NYPD horses carrying officers with nightsticks.

"We are marching to express support for our brother, (Iraq war veteran) Scott Olsen, who was injured in Oakland," said Jerry Bordeleau, a former Army specialist who served in Iraq through 2009.

The veterans were also angry that returned from war to find few job prospects.

"Wall Street corporations have played a big role in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan," said Bordeleau, now a college student. He said private contractors have reaped big profits in those countries.

In Boston, college students and union workers marched on Bank of America offices, the Harvard Club and the Statehouse to protest the nation's burgeoning student debt crisis.

They say total outstanding student loans exceed credit card debt, increase by $1 million every six minutes and will reach $1 trillion this year, potentially undermining the economy.

"There are so many students that are trying to get jobs and go on with their lives," said Sarvenaz Asasy of Boston, who joined the march after recently graduating with a master's degree and $60,000 in loan debt. "They've educated themselves and there are no jobs and we're paying tons of student loans. For what?"

The day's events in Oakland began with a rally outside City Hall that drew more than 3,000 people who spilled into the streets and disrupted the downtown commute. Protesters hung a large black banner that read: "Occupy Everything, DEATH TO CAPITALISM."

The crowd included students, families with young children and many people wearing labor union T-shirts. "Shut down the 1 percent. We are the 99 percent," they chanted.

Oakland let city workers use vacation or other paid time to take part, and officials said about 5 percent took the day off. About 360 Oakland teachers didn't show up for work, or roughly 18 percent of the district's 2,000 teachers, officials said. The district has been able to get substitute teachers for most classrooms, and where that wasn't possible children were sent to other classrooms, he said.

"I came here because the schools are in the (same) boat as everyone else," said Steve Neat, a fifth-grade teacher.

"We have five schools being closed here in Oakland. We have class sizes skyrocketing. We have cuts, cuts, cuts, just like everyone else. And the 1 percent, their share of the wealth is growing, and it's time for that to stop. It's time for some of that wealth to be shared out to all of society," he said.

Some protesters broke off from the rally to picket at nearby banks. All three banks located within blocks of the plaza were closed, though that didn't stop protesters from chanting and waving signs outside.

At a Citibank branch, more than a dozen protesters blocked the entrance, some with fake $100 bills taped across their faces. They held signs with messages such as "Share the Billions with the Millions." About 200 people chanted outside a Wells Fargo branch, where graffiti was scrawled on the wall. The messages read "The 1 percent won't back down" and "Who's robbing who?"

Further away from the rally, vandals shattered a Chase bank branch and splattered ink all over an ATM. Someone later taped a note to the shattered glass that read: "We are better than this. ... Sorry, the 99 percent."

In front of the Oakland Public Library, about three dozen parents brought toddlers and school-age children for a stroller march in a "children's brigade." Demonstrators handed out signs written as if in a children's crayon that read "Generation 99% Occupying Our Future." People attached the signs to their baby backpacks and their strollers.

By the time the group made its way to the main rally, it numbered about 200 adults with their children.

Like others, Marisol Curiel, an Oakland residents who brought her two sons, ages 2 and 4, in a double stroller, said there was a need to tax the wealthy to benefit families and schools and to make sure there are opportunities and jobs for children when they grow up.

"Normally I would be the type of person who would watch it from the sidelines," she said. "But being able to have a presence and also a chance to be more educated seemed really important. All of this will affect not just now, but our future."

[ericmooreart]

OWS is now a mob.

They justify their actions of impeding citizens and closing businesses as freedom of speech. What about about those citizens and businesses constitutional right of liberty? There is absolutely NO justification.

Surly if anyone in OWS ever had a job they must know that people paid by the hour have lost a days pay. Will they pays those peoples bills or reimburse them for wages lost??

With no leadership and the mob mentality its now wonder anarchist infiltrated the protest. That makes OWS liable. They created the environment for this to happen. I also blame the Oakland Mayor. Once the protesters started forcing businesses to close and impeding peoples passage they should all have been immediately arrested.

I can tell you this. New York is not like Oakland. Those actions will not be tolerated thats why QWS NYC has been peaceful and generally (used loosely) lawful

[noloyalisti]

This was an extremely successful even because it demonstrated that 10,000 people could easily shut down America's 5th busiest port. Of course it is easy when you are speaking of the interests of the 99% against the Top 1% who ruined the government and caused this depression.

[ParkerEast]

Here is my second video contribution to the movement. Pass it along.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx1wMmcPaks

Worth watching... subscribe if you like it.

http://www.youtube.com/user/MrParkerEast

[rayz28-2009]

Bravo to them but it will not be enough! I have asked the United States Largest Union to call a Nationwide General Strike for a week to show its support to the movement and the People. This petty anti BS isn't going to work unless and until it is on a larger scale. All Unions and Non-unions who really believe and are the 99% should MARCH (peacefully) and strike and sign petitions to impeach these American imposters (GOP & Tea-Party Terrorists). Then call for special elections and start over. Educate the Voters on the Candidates and kick these Communists imposters out of the country. That is what and who they really are. Look at the whole story of the four older men recently arrested in Georgia. They're opinions and reasoning is not alone. Just their execution was flawed. In order to enact real change "We the people need to get involved and do the right thing the right ways. The people that you Vote in need to know EXACTLY what you want and how to do it

[smartasss1]

Government should regulate a balance between consumer protection and creating a profitable business environment. Instead they cater to corporate interest to protect the profits of powerful corporations. I think, the lobbying system is the root of corruption in the United States. It would do us good to do away with this system.

However, demonstrating in the streets against corruption or corporate greed seems too idealistic. The OCCUPY movement's message is too vague. The chaos in the streets impedes commerce and does not lead to an attainable objective. Although I agree with their ideals, I find the demonstrations very counter-productive.

I think, the place to fight this fight is not on the streets, but should be fought in the ballot box instead.

[playahatea]

Think of what can be produced with the time and energy being spent complaining about how unfair things may be for you and why you may deserve more. Put in a good days work for a good days pay. If you arent happy with that, go back to school or work harder.

[VishTheChange]

You seem to be lucky to have what you are talking about while 98% Americans are either sick/unemployed/ broke with broken family & unsurmountable debt. Stop preaching like Christian priest who commits horrible crimes but still preaches.

[KnowerseekerReturns]

VishTheChange, Catholicism doesn't represent Christianity. Get educated.

[gruven13777]

-MAYHEM- is officially here.

Are you in good hands?

[VishTheChange]

It is not MAYHEM. it is the 2nd time in US history that the settlers of Americas are fighting for their fundamental rights.These settlers came to Americas to loot but only a few from WS have been able to loot& rest worked as their slaves so that Mafias of WS& their crony politicians could loot.These settlers should behave like Tunisians/Egyptians. But alass these settlers who came to loot others for better their future have proved to be whimps

[m047375]

WAY TO GO Oakland and east bayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[GeneForte]

Though I applaud the Occupy Oakland concept of people standing up to voice their concerns I believe they are not focused upon the most essential issue.

It is our unaccountable government officials and the media it controls that needs to be held accountable by citizens.

I am the publisher of the Badger Flats Gazette and am under attack by the top government officials of California. I put seven Monterey County judges into retirement that are cronies of Mr. Leon Panetta, now our Secretary of Defense.

I lived in Monterey where Panetta comes from. When I caught my own attorney with the opposing counsel from Leon Panetta's son's law firm fixing a real estate case I was threatened with criminal prosecution if I didn't shut up about it.

You can listen to the call I had from Panetta himself asking me to forget about the matter. When I busted a Mayor for taking bribes with the FPPC I received death threats from him which were covered up by the police he was in bed with. You can see me forced away from City Hall by police when I was trying to speak at the open mike and tell citizens about them. The newspaper didn't print a word about it.

If you really want to set this government on its hind legs contact me. I will show you how to peacefully bring them all to their knees very quickly.

You can go to BadgerFlats . com for more information, watch the videos and see the proof. Thank you.

[VishTheChange]

The fundamental problem lies with all settlers to Americas is that they all came to Americas to loot others to better their life.American settlers have been genetically mutuated to be looters.They either loot their own or other countries by selling WMDs, creating Wars,Terrorists & dictators for the sole purpose to loot

[KnowerseekerReturns]

VishTheChange, every nation and people has taken its turn looting and taking advantage of other nations and peoples, and it's always led by the rich and powerful.

[OnTheCrown]

"Several banks were vandalized and a dozen windows were shattered at the Wells Fargo branch, while an area Whole Foods was vandalized"

Peaceful protest?