'Occupy Dallas' Marches In Support Of Police
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Occupy Dallas found themselves toe-to-toe with police officers again today. But it was a far different scene than Monday's clash in downtown that sent 23 of its members to jail.
Police have used riot gear and taken a hardline approach to protesters in Oakland and Atlanta.
Despite a confrontation in Dallas Monday, this branch of Occupy Wall Street did something unexpected Thursday. The group marched from its camp site behind city hall through downtown to Dallas Police headquarters.
Along the way they carried signs and shouted chants in support of police. The protesters even posed for a group photo with officers assigned to keep an eye on them.
This demonstration even included some of those arrested on Monday outside a downtown bank.
The occupiers, as they refer to themselves, say they don't blame officers for what happened and want them to know they are both on the same side.
"There are no hard feelings, even though I was ones arrested, even though I still have bruises I don't hold it against individual police officers. I hold it against the city and against the system," said protester Kooper Caraway.
Last week, a number of Occupy Dallas protesters were arrested for blocking the front doors of a Chase Bank in downtown Dallas. A leader of the group, who did not identify himself, told supporters it was nothing but trespassing and a bad idea.
KRLD's Phyllis Smith Reports:
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He says they are now trying to change their image from what he calls "a bunch of hippies" to educated people who know the facts of their cause. They'll be posting those facts on posters and handouts to target the middle class, who he says needs the most help.
