This morning a little after 9am an occupier with Occupy Cleveland was arrested in the free speech quandrant of public square by police for not presenting for his ID after giving his name.The occupier has not been charged however indications are that he will be charged with resisting arrest and sleeping in public square. Other occupiers who witnessed the event report the occupier was not asleep but asking police questions about permits regarding his presence in the square during the incident. Currently, Occupy Cleveland is permitted to have informational tables, signs, and a 24/7 presence in the Tom Johnson quadrant (NW) of Public Square.
The movement hopes that our fellow 99% in uniform join with us in peaceful solidarity as well as in our work to defeat Issues 2. We hope the Police continue to restrain any officers seeking to harass or demoralize the occupation movement.
Occupy Movement News Update of the Day: Following yesterday’s dismantling by Oakland PD of the Occupy Oakland tent cityerected outside City Hall two weeks ago, some 1,000 people attempted to reclaim the plaza and were met with fierce resistance from local authorities.
Dramatic video footage from last night’s clashes show canisters of tear gas, among other projectiles, being fired at demonstrators.
According to Interim Police Chief Howard Jordan, the gas was deployed “to stop people from throwing rocks and bottles at police.” An earlier statement attributed the loud noises heard in the area to M-80s hurled at police by protesters and not flash-bang grenades, which police say were not used. The statement goes on to confirm the firing of “approximately four bean bag rounds at protesters.”
Twophotos posted on Twitter claim to show rubber buckshot rounds found during last night’s action, contradicting Oakland PD’s claim that no rubber bullets were used.
Officials say two police officers were injured after being splattered with paint. The number of injured civilians was not available, but at least one protester — a veteran — was wounded by either a rubber bullet or a bean bag round (video after the jump).
102 people in all were arrested according to Jordan, the majority of whom are expected to be released today.
Though The Oakland Tribune says the scene is now quiet, Occupy Oakland has issued a call to its supporters via Twitter, asking people to come back to the plaza tonight at 6PM (local time) “for round three.”
Elsewhere:
A similar eviction took place in Atlanta, where police cleared the local Occupation’s base of operations at Woodruff Park. 52 people were arrested, and the park was shut down. Atlanta Police released a statement announcing that anyone entering the park was subject to arrest.
Despite concerns that it would suffer a similar fate, Occupy Baltimoreremains in tact this morning, as the city — which recently declared the movement an “illegal encampment” — remains silent on its plans.
Occupy San Diego protesters, despite being warned by police not to do so,returned to Civic Center Plaza this morning. It was unclear if police would remove the tents as they did two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, at the protest that launched a thousand protests, the local community board agreed to support the movement, but only if protesters promised to adhere to certain conditions, namely limiting the use of musical instruments to two hours a day — something the drummers have not been very good at doing.
The Stretch It Performance came to the 1 pm Rally in Public Square to support Occupy Cleveland, a movement which supports protesting against corporate greed and the Occupy Wall Street.
If you participated in the Stretch Your Paycheck interactive performance yesterday— Look for your souvenir photo below — or on the next page so you can view and save.
We are the city of the first African American Mayor, the gas mask, the traffic light, the first city of light, superman and a city of once great inspiration to the country.
We are the city of Jesse Owens, Carl Stokes, Garrett Morgan, Charles Brush, Langston Hughes, Henry Mancini, Dorothy Dandridge, Paul Newman and many others who have positively impacted the world around them.
We are the city of Free Speech and those who possess the resolve to use it.
Use the inspiration of those who were 99% and changed the world as we know it without having to compromise the less fortunate around them. Yes, many of them have moved on from Cleveland and this world all together, but let us not forget that this great city of the 99% can and will produce those who will make sure that we are not forgotten. Let our voices be heard that our message is not of distain for business or America, but the will to want to make the world we live in a better place for everyone.
