Occupy Oakland - Black Bloc Instigates Riot Police - War Zone Erupts

Occupy Oakland - Black Bloc Instigates Riot Police - War Zone Erupts

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Watch Occupy Oakland Protester - Attacks the Police Here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OFhM2byiBQ

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland Mayor Jean Quan made history in January when she became the first Asian American woman to lead a major U.S. city. Less than a year later, the Democratic mayor is quickly losing support on all sides of the political spectrum, mostly over her handling of the city's Occupy Wall Street protests that drew heavy scrutiny.

Quan's critics say she has struggled to formulate a coherent response to the Occupy encampment that has overtaken the plaza in front of Oakland City Hall for the past few weeks. Police raided the camp last week and fired tear gas during skirmishes with marchers before Quan allowed protesters to return a day later.

"It was sort of remarkable that she was able to alienate both sides," said University of San Francisco political scientist Corey Cook of Quan's relationship with protesters and police. "She has no friends at this point."

The Occupy movement, which began six weeks ago in New York City to decry corporate influence in government and wealth inequality, has spread to cities large and small across the country and around the world. Demonstrators have spent weeks camped out in parks, wearing at the patience of city officials -- even those like Quan who have expressed some level of support for their cause.

Quan, 62, a former school board president and city council member, was surprisingly elected mayor last year, succeeding Ron Dellums. She defeated the heavily favored front-runner, former state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, in a narrow race thanks to the city's ranked-choice voting system.

Since then, Oakland's city attorney and police chief have both quit over philosophical differences with Quan and dozens of residents have recently signed a petition seeking to recall her.

But Dan Siegel, Quan's unpaid legal adviser and longtime friend, says she's doing an admirable job under the circumstances. Siegel, who teamed with Quan and her husband in the fight to create an ethnic studies program at the nearby University California, Berkeley in the 1960s, said the mayor hasn't gotten enough credit for balancing a budget, working with local unions seeking some concessions and hiring a reputable new city administrator.

"These are not ordinary times," Siegel said. "It's difficult, but that's what she signed up for."

Quan told reporters last week that being mayor definitely has been challenging.

"This is a pretty complex job, so I have to take everybody into account," Quan said.

Quan said she and the city support the Occupy Oakland movement and its planned general strike Wednesday, when protesters plan several large gatherings through downtown, culminating in an early evening march to the Port of Oakland.

City offices are to remain open Wednesday, but City Administrator Deanna Santana said workers can use vacation or other paid time off to participate in the strike.

Quan said she hoped Wednesday's strike would be peaceful and that she was working with police to ensure the protesters' issues are "front and center."

"The pro-99 percent activists -- whose cause I support -- will have the freedom to get their message across without the conflict that marred last week's events," Quan said in a statement Tuesday. "Although getting the balance right is never an easy task, in Oakland we are committed to honoring free speech and protecting public safety."

Despite Quan's vocal support for the Occupy movement, protesters heckled and booed her when she tried to speak to the group last week, sending her retreating into City Hall.

"You need a true leader. This is all too much for her. It's not her time," said Ken Houston, an Oakland resident who owns a local construction business and has spent several nights at the Occupy encampment.

The initial crackdown has led prominent liberals to call for her resignation, and last week a group of Oakland residents filed a petition seeking to recall Quan, saying she's ignoring public safety as the city's most pressing issue.

Quan fired back Monday, saying that "the last thing we need is a divisive and expensive recall campaign. In 20 years of serving Oakland, my only agenda has been to work hard for our diverse city."

Yet, her stance on the Occupy Oakland protests has further strained her thin relationship with the city's police force

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[jbossthedon]

ppl wake up its real shit going on

[ThePurpleWaterfall]

@jbossthedon agreed! please share and subscribe!

[openbreakwhat]

These cops look more like something that Cobra Commander would send out to kill those who don't submit to his rule.

[xuserx2000]

@anarcrustie , bullllllllshit. Black bloc anarchists say this kind of thing and pretend to be victims taking "defensive action", until they take to the streets and start smashing people's car windows and threatening Occupiers and media.

[xuserx2000]

@Jsmooth7444 , Fuck black bloc anarchists, ...you show up in my town we will run you fuckers out by force if necessary. You are the misfits of Occupy, the outcasts who couldn't participate in GA's, and think it's ok to smash shit because NOBODY except a bunch of ex-cons agree with your ideas. FUCK OFF and go start your own fucking movement! You try to tagalong on a peaceful movement because YOU DON"T HAVE THE NUMBERS FOR YOUR OWN MOVEMENT! ..again...FUCK OFF!

[crackawise]

so what lesson can we take away from this?

[dwc1964]

It's not about "violence" vs. "non-violence" it's about effective action. Black Bloc seem to think they can beat capitalism by breaking its windows, and they can beat the cops by throwing stuff at them.

Capitalism can only be defeated by a mass working-class movement capable of taking over production. Such a movement can only be built by involving workers in their millions. And infantile play-radicalism like this just puts workers off. This is the -opposite- of a general strike.

[DoHReallYY]

Ohhhhh yeah peacefully protesting /watch?v=zz22OvY6FTY

[agent4051]

Those Octards get everything they deserve.

[therealCamoron]

And yes, I realize that not everyone is responsible for setting fires at the protest and most of them were protesting peacefully. This movement needs centralized leadership to prevent things like this from happening. You can't blame the police in this situation, making the distinction between which members of an angry mob are violent and which are not is not an easy one to make, especially at night.

[therealCamoron]

Maybe next time you won't set fires and throw shit at them. You think the U.S. isn't free? Why don't you try this protest shit in China, Iran or Syria. See what exactly you're taking for granted. Any other first world government would and does respond the same way. You have a right to peaceful demonstration, but your rights end where the rights of others begin. That includes blocking public roads without a permit and setting fires.

[Shyguy419]

It's the damn anarchists right. Because OPD wouldn't touch you guys if the anarchists weren't there. Wake the hell up.

[DiegoeLsanchEs]

Here in Brazil the people could be more united and less silent. Fight against capitalism and against the system of corrupt politicians! I do not participate, but I'm proud of the black bloc! Force always! Freedom! Any member send me a website to be on top of news about the movement?