Mass arrest attempted at 19th St. in Oakland #J28 (1080p)

The latest edit of this footage is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLUN1w...

This video was recorded at 5:53:29pm on Jan 28, 2012
1. A march was stopped at Telegraph Ave and William St. (5:49:35)
2. All park exists were closed (5:51:11)
3. The crowed was not allowed an exit while gas / chemicals, projectiles, batons, and explosives were used on the public.

Reporters and citizens experienced some extremely aggressive behavior:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=df3udX...

Here are a few views of the situation from locals that were on the ground at 19th Street:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf6Rl8...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE8OaI...

409 people were later rounded up and arrested down the street at the YMCA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFGraa...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skhd_f...

I was not certain while filming, but gas was definitely used on this residential area. I definitely felt sick later as the gas reached my apartment.
Protesters did not destroy any personal property. Buildings, windows and cars remained untouched (in this area at least).
Live rounds were also left behind in the park, which is used by the OSA School as a playground / P.E. area: https://p.twimg.com/AkWj_oECMAAYmE5.jpg

This group began with activism that was inclusive enough to involve the local homeless community. The city's responses seem to be enflaming the situation, in order to make the marchers appear to be an agressive force. I have little doubt that the number of marchers will increase next time since they believe that they have protection under the constitution.

The city seems to be circumventing due process and the presumption of innocence in order to prevent a potential break-in before it could take place.

It's hard to see in the video, but this park is a monument to humanitarianism: http://www.remember-them.org/

I apologize if my tone during the filming sounds like I'm amused. Not at all. I was quite nervous at the time, and this experience was extremely disturbing to watch. I really didn't know how to respond at the time. I was trying to remain positive and non-biased while pointing out what is going on in my neighborhood. As an Oakland resident, I take this extremely seriously.

Unfortunately, politically motivated arrests are not uncommon in Oakland, and the City leadership assists in prioritizing the level and focus Police activity. It's hard to see some much government spending going to waste. Oakland has closed 7 schools in the past 2 years, 5 in the last year alone.

Here are a few relevant follow-up articles:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...
http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2012/01/...
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02...

I hope non-violence and peace will prevail. I don't think that adding more police will have a positive impact on the situation.

Stay Safe Oakland!
@ryanj

Note: The brightness has been adjusted on this copy. Contact me for the source copy if needed.

• Category

  News & Politics

[ezekieldas]

RYAN --Could you please edit description to include time and date.

[ryan jarvinen]

updated, also added a link to 3 additional minutes of video covering the start of the kettle, and proving that there was never an option to peacefully leave the area.

[Joel Bitar]

That's how the fuck you break out of a kettle.

[MrEversginger]

in LA during occupuu protest they had it all surrounded but if the people wanted to leave they could leave but NOT ENTER the area they were supposed to leave

[achilles freeman]

fuck the police

[studentshadow1]

i would have climbed over the fence and legged it out of there lol

[AlienBeliever897]

Why are all the police here mindless drones??

[Tereasa Smith]

I do not support the destruction of property, but when you back people into a corner while using tear gas and flash bangs and other projectiles you cannot expect them to not run for a way out.

[StrEEtwYZe0194]

Being peaceful has it's ups and downs. I don't suggest starting violence but I highly recommend not getting fucked over.

[ryan jarvinen]

don't troll here. These folks are peaceful and plan to remain that way. If people respond with violence, then the city has a legitimate reason to lock them up.

[David Yamaguchi]

Must allow people to disburse.

[David Yamaguchi]

Entrapment. When asked to disburse, disburse. This looks like entrapment. DC MPD and Park Service police got sued for a similar situation. Expect a law suit for entrapment and false arrest.

[whitiangaratonastick]

You Yanks make me laugh....LAND OF THE FREE??? Is that a joke???