I have been very busy following and photographing Occupy Austin although I haven't been sharing much on my blog. I planned to share some of the beauty I had witnessed and commend Chief Acevedo and APD for being respectful of the rights of Americans. Instead, this takes precedence:
A Marine from Wisconsin, Scott Olsen (24), was shot in the head by a projectile fired by Oakland police. When people ran to his aid, an officer threw a flash grenade at the limp body and the would-be rescuers. As police watched, the critically injured veteran was eventually swept up and carried away by human beings.
It is unfortunate that many officers have yet to understand that most in the Occupations support police, the difficulties and stresses they face and their wage/benefits challenges. A Marine from Wisconsin, Scott Olsen (24), was shot in the head by a projectile fired by Oakland police. When people ran to his aid, an officer threw a flash grenade at the limp body and the would-be rescuers. As police watched, the critically injured veteran was eventually swept up and carried away by human beings.
The following is Oakland Mayor Jean Quan's response:
Taken from her Facebook Page
October 25, 2011
7:30 am
Many Oaklanders support the goals of the national Occupy Wall Street movement. We maintained daily communication with the protestors in Oakland.
However, over the last week it was apparent that neither the demonstrators nor the City could maintain safe or sanitary conditions, or control the ongoing vandalism. Frank Ogawa Plaza will continue to be open as a free speech area from 6 am to 10 pm.
We want to thank the police, fire, public works and other employees who worked over the last week to peacefully close the encampment. We also thank the majority of the protestors who peacefully complied with city officials.
I commend Chief Jordan for a generally peaceful resolution to a situation that deteriorated and concerned our community. His leadership was critical in the successful execution of this operation. City Administrator Deanna Santana developed the plan and secured mutual aid from other departments and the State of California. She will direct departmental teams, including safety, public works, communications, to restore conditions at the Plaza so that it is available for public use.
The City welcomes all Oaklanders to continue to use the Plaza during daylight hours for peaceful protest.
~Mayor Jean Quan
Apparently, 1st Amendment rights expire at sunset.
At the time of this post, there were 9,854 comments on the above Facebook profile post. I read about 200 and found only one comment supporting her. The post has been shared 848 times and when I linked my blog to the post. Apparently, her e-mail address (jeanquan4@gmail.com) has been disabled.
Carlos Miller reported that the mainstream news turned a blind eye as police attacked an unarmed crowd of people exercising their 1st Amendment rights.
What are you going to do about this?
