Occupy Oakland

Yesterday I was in Oakland again for more Occupy Oakland coverage.  I covered the general strike at the beginning of November, when thousands shut down the port of Oakland.  Early morning yesterday police came and dismantled the tent camp at Frank Ogawa Plaza downtown.  Protestors had to leave and the entire plaza was cleaned up.  I was on the second shift, covering the rally that day and the march back to the plaza once it was opened back up to the public.  Here's a couple from the day.  

Protestors rally in front of City Hall after being allowed back into the plaza.  Crews spent all day clearing the plaza of tents and garbage.

Paul Benton Sr., of Oakland, wears his sentiments on his hat as crews clean up Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif., Monday, November 14, 2011 after an early morning raid to dismantle the Occupy Oakland camp.  "We understand what occupy stands for and we appreciate it," Benton said, "but this is affecting just average people like myself."  Benton said the movement should push to occupy vacant houses like all of the ones on his street.  

Brad Newsham, of Oakland, pickets outside the police blockade of Frank Ogawa Plaza in Oakland, Calif., Monday, November 14, 2011 after an early morning raid to dismantle the Occupy Oakland camp.  "Surrender this and they'll all go back to sleep I think," Newsham said of giving up the plaza.  Newsham is a San Francisco cab driver who stopped his cab at the plaza on the first day of Occupy Oakland, and said he has been back to either the Oakland or San Francisco occupy sites nearly every day since.   

 

Manisl Roberson of Oakland shows off the flag on his tent at Snow Park in Oakland, Calif., Monday, November 14, 2011.  Roberson relocated from Frank Ogawa Plaza before an early morning raid to dismantle the Occupy Oakland camp.  "You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em," he said, "I ain't got time to go to jail."