400 Arrested during Occupy Protests

Demonstrators break into Oakland City Hall
By: Bay Citizen Staff

Updated Jan. 28, 2011 at 3:15 p.m.

Occupy protesters broke into Oakland's City Hall and a YMCA Saturday night, after a day of demonstrations that led to several clashes during which police used tear gas, bean bag projectiles, and according to the Associated Press, "flash" grenades to disperse crowds.

Officers arrested approximately 400 demonstrators, including a handful of reporters, most of whom were taken into custody near the downtown YMCA.

Police quickly corralled the small group of protesters who made their way inside City Hall, but not before the demonstrators set flags on fire, turned over trash cans, and destroyed a children's art exhibit, according to Mayor Jean Quan.

“Once again, a violent splinter group of the Occupy Movement is engaging in violent actions against Oakland,” Quan said in a statement Saturday night. “The Bay Area Occupy Movement has got to stop using Oakland as their playground.”

Saturday's protests were the largest since the group took over the Port of Oakland on Dec. 12. In a statement Sunday, the city called the number of arrests "unprecedented."

Earlier in the day, officers used tear gas to disperse demonstrators who Oakland police said tried to tear down fences and destroy construction equipment near the vacant Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

Oakland police said officers "deployed smoke, tear gas and beanbag projectiles" after demonstrators "charged a skirmish line at Oak Street and pelted officers with bottles, metal pipe, rocks, spray cans, improvised explosive devices and burning flares."

The city said that three police officers and one demonstrator was injured and that three private cars, including two television news vans, were vandalized.

After the clashes near the convention center, which led to 19 arrests, demonstrators returned to Frank Ogawa Plaza to regroup and then began marching around downtown Oakland. Shortly after 6:30 p.m., as police ordered some in the crowd to disperse, a small group of protesters broke ran into the downtown YMCA to the surprise of exercisers, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

At the same time, police said, another group of protesters "burnt an American flag in front of Oakland City Hall before breaking into the historic building."

“There is no excuse for the behavior we experienced this evening,” said Council President Larry Reid.

The California Highway Patrol; the Sheriff’s Departments of Alameda County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, San Francisco County and Marin County; and the police departments of Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, Pleasanton, San Francisco and Union City/Newark; and the University of California-Berkeley provided mutual aid to the Oakland Police Department, according to a statement from the city.

Among those swept up in the arrests were at least two reporters, Gavin Aronson of Mother Jones and Kristin Hanes from KGO. Hanes was released after being handcuffed with plastic zipties, and Aronson remained in custody late on Saturday night.

"Whenever journalists are arrested/detained for reporting the news, everyone's freedom is at risk," Hanes tweeted.

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Occupy Oakland has been holding marches nearly every weekend since police raided their encampment in front of City Hall on Nov. 2. On Wednesday, protesters announced plans to take over an empty building somewhere in the city Saturday and turn it into the group's headquarters, as part of its "Move-In Day" demonstration.

In a statement Saturday night, City Administrator Deanna Santana said, "The demonstrators’ stated intention was to provoke the police and engage in illegal activity."

Saturday's demonstration began with a rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall. During the rally one of the organizers, Shake Anderson, said, "We are here to protect each other and to be civil disobedient. ... We're doing it to change the world, not just today but every day."

Shortly after 1:30 p.m., with dozens of police nearby in riot gear, hundreds of protesters began marching toward Laney College. Some were wearing bandanas over their mouths and others were holding signs saying, "We are the 99%." A marching band dressed in pink and black tutus and neon pick tights also was in the crowd.

After marchers arrived at the convention center, the clashes with police began.

"Clearly there were some tactical mistakes today," said Sean Gallagher, 23, who was among those in the crowd. But according to livestreamer OakFoSho, more Occupy Oakland protests are scheduled tomorrow.

Bay City News Service contributed reporting.