Police Brutality At Occupy Oakland

Occupy Oakland protester Kayvan Sabehgi is an Iraq war veteran. The video shows Sabehgi being severely beaten by several police officers. Sabehgi suffered severe injuries, including a lacerated spleen. Police did not get Sabehgi to a hospital until 18 hours after his arrest. This is police brutality. Pure and simple.

I wish President Barack Obama would hold a press conference and show the media footage of these horrible beatings. My dream would be for Obama to ask the media why they were not reporting these episodes of police violence. I would want Obama to then say that we cannot have Americans being beaten to protect the bonuses of Wall Street CEOs. It is time for serious reform of the financial market. Unfortunately, this is a President that thinks Lawrence Summers is a genius. True reform will have to come from the people. This is what the Occupy Wall Street movement is all about.

Police Brutality at Occupy Oakland

This video without a doubt shows police brutality used at Occupy Oakland. A wounded protester was down after being hit by an Oakland police officer. Other protesters came to help the protester. A police officer threw a flash grenade into the group. None of the protesters were making threatening movements toward the police.

The protesters scattered when they saw the flash grenade. The already injured protester had the grenade go off near his face. The police officer responsible for this needs to be terminated.

Occupy Oakland Port Shutdown

Mayor Jean Quan ordered the police to raid the Occupy Oakland emcampment. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets against the protesters. The extreme reaction by Quan resulted in in a response by Occupy Oakland.

The San Francisco Chronicle estimates that Occupy Oakland drew 100,000 for their strike yesterday. Occupy Oakland successfully shut down the port as a message to the top one percent and the Oakland city government. Union worker would not cross the picket line.

Unfortunately, there was some vandalism. That is something I don't condone. However, the vast majority of the protesters behaved peacefully. Mayor Quan attempted to to end Occupy Oakland. Someone should ask the mayor if there would be 100,000 protesters if she didn't use excessive force against Occupy Oakland?

Cenk Uygur reports from Occupy Oakland.

Occupy Oakland Raid

Amazing photos the the police raid of the Occupy Oakland camp. Police used tear gas and rubber bullets on the protesters. The camp was destroyed by police. The property of the protesters was destroyed by the police. The ACLU has won cases against law enforcement agencies that have destroyed the property of the homeless.

Mayor Jean Quan issued this statement.

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.

That explains the riot gear and gas masks the police were wearing.

I have to wonder how are confrontations with the police and camping in public parks is going to create jobs and reform Wall Street. The Occupy movement has to do more than protest. They have to scare the Democratic Party with their votes. That is the only true way they can make a difference.