Mass arrest attempted at 19th St. in Oakland #J28

The latest edit of this footage is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLUN1wDibPI

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=df3udXma_0I

Here are a few views of the situation from locals that were on the ground at 19th Street:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf6Rl8m-L7g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE8OaI_DmU4

409 people were later rounded up and arrested down the street at the YMCA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFGraaA7O8c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skhd_fDrwCU

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.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/11/MN091N5C9E.DTL&am...
http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2012/01/31/occupy-oakland-inmates-santa-rita-att...
http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/02/01/charges-dropped-against-many-occu...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/03/occupy-oakland-activists-_n_1253651....

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:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Oakland
• #ows
• #oo
• #OccupyOakland
• #j28

[UnitedWeRize]

entrapment - i wonder what they charged these people with

[ryanjarvinen]

@UnitedWeRize Over 400 people were later arrested. From what I heard, the charges were almost all later dropped. "Obstructing an officer" is the usual charge that I've heard raised against protesters in the past.

[fblocker]

Please save this video in multiple places. It is my opinion that this video is evidence that the police planned to have mass arrests of a protest and it was not their goal to disperse the crowd. If so, this is a violation of the constitution. As such, I think it is very important to protect this video. Thanks.

[ThePhineas624]

Excellent video and good commentating! I hope this footage makes it the Federal Commission who is now overseeing the OPDs actions as it weighs whether to take them over.

[Gardinaki]

Wow..

[DragonSlayer160000]

haha its funny to watch America crumble. Your country has an ocean of wisdom but its people don't even have a drop of knowledge

[NessaDreemz88]

@vMufasa I concur 100% that the cops violated unalienable rights protected under the constitution. On top of that the cops created a potentially dangerous situation here that could've turned very ugly had masses of ppl trampled over each other (and possibly get killed or injured in the process) during their rush to get away from the threats of batons, tear gas, and flash bang grenades by the Oakland cops.

[vMufasa]

if that doesnt want you to take to the streets, i dont know what will...

this blatantly shows how little respect there is for our constitutional rights... any crowd facing that uncalled threat from cops has a right to self defend themselves and storm over the fence

[ghostchaser13]

Trapped! You should give a copy of this to the ACLU---those cops were all in communication with each other and had to know what they were doing to the occupiers.What kind of camera are you using?I want one! Awesome video! Thank you!

[hybridpanda]

@RednBlackFightBack Click the remix button under the like / dislike button. Then you will be able to edit / reupload it .

[JoeyMRB]

Thank you for recording this. I was there.

[kenseisato1989]

thanks a bunch!

i truly appriciate you taking your time and spreading news. thank you very much.

i am sooooo glad they where able to break the fence and escape.

there are several copies on youtube.

please share this on face book. most americans don't eaven know whats going on