Solidarity with Oakland!

The Oscar Grant Plaza Gazette

Tuesday, October 25, 2011   Day 16

THIS IS WHAT A POLICE STATE LOOKS LIKE

Starting at about 4:45am this morning, Tuesday, October 25, approximately 500 police in riot gear attacked and destroyed the Occupy Oakland encampment at Oscar Grant Plaza.  Eyewitness reports as well as coverage from the San Jose Mercury News confirm the presence of officers from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, Oakland, Berkeley, UC Berkeley, Pleasanton, Hayward, Fremont, Walnut Creek, Union City Newark, Santa Clara, San Francisco, and San Jose, as well as the California Highway Patrol.

In other words, it takes the better part of the police force of central California in order to violently repress the legitimate political will of the people.

Police attacked the peaceful protest with flash grenades, tear gas, and rubber bullets after moving in with armored vehicles.  Police established barricades as far apart as 11th and 17th. Over 70 people were arrested and the camp gear was destroyed and/or stolen by the riot police.

The LA Times confirms eyewitness reports to the Gazette that the police assaulted the peaceful protest with tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades after moving in with military-style armored vehicles.  (A military veteran mentioned concerning this type of grenade : “They use them in Iraq.  And also in parks in downtown Oakland.”)  Barricades were established as far apart as 11th and 17th Streets.  Between 70 and 90 arrests are reported.