Officials said eight people — five civilians and three police officers — were injured in violence that left Oakland streets littered with graffiti, smashed glass and debris. But the nature or severity of those injuries was not disclosed.[...]
Activists from the Occupy Oakland movement, who are aligned with anti-Wall Street protests in New York and other U.S. cities against corporate excesses, high unemployment and bank bailouts, said the vandalism gave police an excuse to intervene. Some blamed “anarchist youths” for the unrest.
[...]
Despite some early sporadic vandalism, demonstrators on the scene said downtown streets were largely calm when police — who had kept their distance throughout the day — arrived and ordered the “unlawful assembly” to disperse.
Lined up shoulder to shoulder, police fired volleys of tear gas, forcing the demonstrators to retreat to the plaza, then made a second charge with batons and tear gas about an hour later to drive protesters farther into the square’s interior.
Some protesters hurled tear gas canisters and rocks back at police.
[...]
Acting Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan, addressing a special meeting of the city council on Thursday, said 101 people had been arrested.
Anarchist youths. Where were these anarchist youths before the police shot Scot Olsen? Did that act have anything to do with their presence? Who are these anarchist youths in reality? Did the police need something to divert criticism? There are some questions here.
So anyway, we have a meeting.
“The situation we find ourselves in is absolutely unacceptable. We want Occupy Oakland closed,” Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce president Joe Haraburda said, to boos and hisses from protesters in the audience.[...]
Friction between some Occupy Oakland protesters seemed deepened by the unrest after disagreements flared overnight between a minority of protesters who set up trash-can barricades and others, often older demonstrators, who lectured about the need to keep protests peaceful.
A sign on a coffee shop with a shattered window offered an apology: “We’re sorry. This does not represent us.”
Maybe not, but that’s exactly what it will be deemed to do. Protesters are going to have to find a way to thwart would-be agitators if they’re going to have a chance.
....but hey, do what you want....you will anyway.
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