The Neo-fascist Tactics Of Police Against Occupy Wall Street-Oakland

From Huffington Post 10-25-11

OCCUPY OAKLAND AND OCCUPY KANSAS!!!!!!

(Hey Barack--this police militarization of Americans by Americans is occurring on YOUR watch.)

Occupy Oakland Protest: Police Fire Tear Gas And Beanbag Rounds, Clear Out Encampment

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Dozens of police in riot gear and hundreds of protesters supporting the Occupy Wall Street movement engaged in a game of cat-and-mouse in downtown Oakland on Tuesday, with authorities using tear gas to respond to demonstrators' repeated agitations.

The latest such skirmish came around 11:15 PDT in front of City Hall, where a haze of chemical smoke still hung in the air following several similar clashes at the site over the course of the night.

It was the fifth time in about three hours that police a fired a volley of tear gas to disperse a crowd at the scene where ongoing tension has erupted into conflict throughout the day.

The number of protesters has diminished with each round of gas. About 200 remained late Tuesday, mostly young adults, some riding bicycles, protecting themselves from the noxious fumes with bandanas and scarves wrapped around their faces.

Police have established a presence in a plaza where a pre-dawn raid Tuesday dismantled an encampment of Occupy Wall Street protesters that had dominated the area for more than two weeks.

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 in the morning raid.

The first evening scuffle broke out after several hundred people made their way back to City Hall in an attempt to re-establish a presence in the area of the disbanded camp.

The protesters had gathered at a downtown library, marched toward City Hall and ultimately were met by police officers in riot gear. Several small skirmishes broke out and officers cleared the area by firing tear gas.

The scene has repeated itself several times since. But each time officers move to disperse the crowd, protesters quickly gather again in assemblies that authorities have declared illegal. Tensions rise as protesters edge closer to police line and climax when someone throws a bottle or rock and authorities response with volleys of gas.

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 responded to 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.

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.

In Oakland, tensions between the city and protesters have been escalating since last week as officials complained about what they described as deteriorating safety, sanitation and health issues at the site of the dismantled camp.

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Associated Press reporter Marcus Wohlsen contributed to this report.

Take a look at images from the scene in Oakland from this link:

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OCCUPY KANSAS:
OffTheBus: Citizen Journalist Recounts Occupy Kansas City March

Deborah Black sent OfftheBus this report from Occupy Kansas City on Wednesday.

"I live in Kansas City and my entire family attended the OWS protest, in Liberty Memorial Penn Valley Park, march Saturday the 15th. There were about 600 people there. A verbal poll was taken and there were more employed people that unemployed, more non labor union than labor union, and an equal number of church goers to non church goers.

Many people brought their children and babies and the march was totally peaceful....People were telling each other “you are not alone” and many parents were explaining to their children about democracy and their responsibility to stand up against injustice.

Then on the local news, they reported that it was no big deal, only about 50 people were there, and showed a sign that said “stop the talking, start the violence”. I did not see any sign like that, and the demonstration was totally peaceful. The police were great and the protestors respected them. Firemen drove their truck through the park and beeped their sirens in support."

To add your own images or first-hand reports from OWS events near you, email offthebus@huffingtonpost.com. See more citizen journalism from Occupy Wall Street eventshere.