Breaking: Occupy Oakland First US General Strike In 65 Years

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OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Thousands of anti-Wall Street protesters marched in the streets of Oakland on Wednesday as they geared up with labor unions to picket banks, take over foreclosed homes and vacant buildings and disrupt operations at the nation's fifth-busiest port.

Demonstrators as well as city and business leaders expressed optimism that the widely anticipated "general strike" would be a peaceful event for a city that became a rallying point last week after an Iraq War veteran was injured in clashes between protesters and police.

Embattled Mayor Jean Quan, who has been criticized for her handling of the protests, said in a statement that she supported the goals of the protest movement that began in New York City a month ago and spread to dozens of cities across the country.

"Police Chief (Howard) Jordan and I are dedicated to respecting the right of every demonstrator to peacefully assemble, but it is our duty to prioritize public safety," she said.

Protesters planned to hold similar rallies across the country in solidarity.

Students from colleges in Boston and union workers, for example, were expected to march on local Bank of America offices, the Harvard Club and the statehouse to protest the nation's burgeoning student debt crisis.

They say total student debt in the country exceeds credit card debt, increases by $1 million every six minutes and will reach $1 trillion this year, potentially undermining the economy.

Along with protesting financial institutions that many within the movement blame for high unemployment and the foreclosure crisis, supporters of the Oakland events are expanding their message to include school closures, waning union benefits and cuts to social services.

Nurse, teacher and other worker unions are taking part in the protests, and Oakland is letting city workers use vacation or other paid time to take part in the general strike. About 5 percent of city workers took the day off Wednesday, according to City Administrator Deanna Santana.

The day's events in Oakland began with a rally outside City Hall that by mid-morning drew more than 1,000 people who were spilling into the streets and disrupting the downtown commute.

The protests were expected to culminate with a march to the Port of Oakland, where organizers said the goal would be to stop work there for the 7 p.m. shift. Organizers say they want to halt "the flow of capital" at the port, a major point of entry for Chinese exports to the U.S.

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[cristophkw123]

@ShmooyShmoo You obviously don't work there, I do, and we agreed to let this happen and wont cross the picket line. In fact many of us joined in today.

[ShmooyShmoo]

I have to work at the Port of Oakland.. why would they shut a working man like me down?

[Trashfished]

@Hidy6 cmon pal. You know these occutards dont have a clue and want a handout and try to spread class envy. Rise above these idiots. Develope marketable skills and leave these idiots in the dust.

[Hidy6]

@Trashfishedfag try not to be a normal dick taking mindless worthless human being..so jump off a bridge with your whole family.

[Trashfished]

@lemonlimelukey tard. Try not to be a bottomfeeding loser the rest of your life.

[GeoliphicMedia]

its a complete self-governing takeover...a day of music and speeches, art, and the first march i've ever seen that paused so traffic wouldn't get back up. cc footage to come

[lemonlimelukey]

Wow gives me sooo much hope thank you people of Oakland <3

[Dubblaw101]

Youtube has definitely begun its censorship of Occupy videos!! This ride is about to get really bumpy, hold on guys!!

P.S. If you want to see recently updated videos, On the top right hand side, sort results by "date".

Keep up the good fight 99%

[CECOAdvocate]

YOUTUBE Censoring Occupy Videos!

Is D.C. doing anything about the economy?

The lack of jobs and high unemployment could ruin the economy, again.

Where are the jobs?

(US Unemployment rate: 22-25% - Great Depression Unemployment rate: 25%)

Click ”CECOAdvocate” For LiveLeak News