Occupy Oakland Disavows Violent 'Provocateurs'

OAKLAND (AP) — Representatives of the Occupy Wall Street movement in Oakland say they regret that their daylong downtown demonstration was marred by an "autonomous" group that broke windows and marked scores of buildings with graffiti.

Laura Long, who identified herself as a member Occupy Oakland's media committee, read a statement from the group at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

It said the movement "does not advocate violence and has no interest in supporting actions that endanger the community and possibilities that it has worked to build."

A small group of what city officials called "provocateurs" set fires, broke windows and clashed with police early Thursday after they tried taking over an abandoned building.

Long said possible restitution to damaged businesses will be among the topics at Occupy Oakland's next "General Assembly" on Friday.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press