Several UC Berkeley students were among the estimated more than 400 individuals arrested at the tumultuous Occupy Oakland “Move-in Day” protest on Saturday.
The protest — originally planned as a march to turn a vacant building into a new social and political meeting center for the Occupy Oakland movement — resulted in a City Hall break-in and a clash with police, who used batons and tear gas on protesters.
Occupy Cal protesters are currently coordinating to generate a complete list of UC Berkeley students who were arrested at the protest. Campus graduate student Amanda Armstrong estimated that between one- and two-dozen UC Berkeley students out of a larger group of at least 50 student protesters were arrested.
Oakland Police Department could not be reached for comment as of press time.
Mass arrests began around 6 p.m., according to UC Berkeley senior Alex Kim, an Occupy Cal demonstrator who was arrested at the Oakland protest.
“They slowly picked away at us,” Kim said. “It was pretty much cat-and-mouse. They would block us off, and we would go in a different direction. They kind of shoved us in a corner and wouldn’t let us go.”
Kim said he was arrested on charges of remaining at the scene of a riot and that he was released around 3:30 p.m. Sunday. He said the group was not being aggressive and that the police were “wasting resources.”
Armstrong, who was also arrested, said she was “very upset” with the kettling — a tactic used by police to contain large crowds — that occurred.
UC Berkeley senior Navid Shaghaghi said he drove home several protesters after they were released, including seven UC Berkeley students.
“They were releasing some people early — smaller groups of people who had been injured,” he said. “I think they wanted to do it before reporters could get to see these people come out with wounds.”
Shaghaghi said he knew of at least 22 UC Berkeley students who were arrested.
On Sunday, Occupy Oakland’s media committee issued a statement criticizing the police response.
“Contrary to their own policy, the OPD gave no option of leaving or instruction on how to depart,” the statement reads. “These arrests are completely illegal, and this will probably result in another class action lawsuit against the OPD who have already cost Oakland $58 million in lawsuits over the past 10 years.”
Oakland Interim Police Chief Howard Jordan defended his officers’ response to the situation, according to a report from The Associated Press. The report also said at least three officers and one protester had been injured.
As of Monday afternoon, at least two arrested UC Berkeley students had not yet been released, according to Armstrong.
Amy Wang covers academics and administration.
Comment Policy
Comments should remain on topic, concerning the article or blog post to which they are connected. Brevity is encouraged. Posting under a pseudonym is discouraged, but permitted. The Daily Cal encourages readers to voice their opinions respectfully in regard to the readers, writers and contributors of The Daily Californian. Comments are not pre-moderated, but may be removed if deemed to be in violation of this policy. Click here to read the full comment policy.
Expel these fools.
Oakland civic leaders and OPD are following Superior orders, and it’s not likely that they are coming from Oakland residents, then whose orders? And, because Occupiers don’t believe in the destruction of property, then whose behind those actions?
Where do you get this idea that Occupiers don’t believe in the destruction of property, especially since all evidence points to the contrary?
“because Occupiers don’t believe in the destruction of property”
Every single occupy oakland protest provides evidence to the contrary.
Occupiers =-= Justify the break in of City Hall. No cops were there. Justify destroying a display case of CHILDREN”s art — children are part of the 1%? Justify destroying a century old piece of art/sculpture.
SHAME ON OCCUPY
[“Contrary to their own policy, the OPD gave no option of leaving or
instruction on how to depart,” the statement reads. “These arrests are
completely illegal
So are breaking windows and throwing rocks at the police. Why do these Occupy assholes complain about others breaking the law when they do it themselves?
Not all conservative trolls finger their buttholes online all day, not all Occupy assholes vandalize public property.
Ooh, looks like a widdwe child took my comments personally – poor baby. Sorry, but when you choose to associate with thugs and communists, don’t be surprised when you are judged by the company you keep.
I didn’t even go to the rallies have haven’t supported occupy anything in any way, sans perhaps these posts. I’m trying to get you to think critically about how ridiculously stupid you sound. I feel immensely sorry for the people who keep you as company, and shudder to think the consequences they have to face daily by doing so.
[I didn't even go to the rallies have haven't supported occupy anything in any way, sans perhaps these posts. I'm trying to get you to think critically about how ridiculously stupid you sound.]
I sound “ridiculously stupid” because I pointed out the blatant hypocrisy of violent lawbreakers complaining about the cops breaking the law? Oh, never mind – you’re the same foaming nutcake defending Marxism over at the Wells Fargo thread. Your cognitive dissonance is clearly apparent.
I guess you missed the very first point I made, which is easy when you’re on an intellectual merry-go-round. Most Occupy protesters don’t believe in violence or the destruction of public property. If they did, these last few months would have been much more destructive, and much more violent. If there were 400 people in Oakland being violent, there would be blood. Rather than come to terms with that fact, you engage in useless commentary.
Just because I think Marxism is useful doesn’t mean that I have to support the Occupy movement. Can you explain what you mean by cognitive dissonance in this situation or are you going to go on some other tangent that actually doesn’t move conversation forward.
I cannot believe I am wasting my time on this. I’ve been a casual Daily Cal reader for some time now, and the most important lesson I’ve learned: Don’t feed the trolls. Only someone with very little to live for would spend copious amounts of time writing on the internet for a very limited audience that will not be impacted by his writing. Whether they believe in the toothfairy, Jesus, or pray to Marx, all these Occupy kids have outdone you in that they have actually done something, rather than be keyboard warriors.
For god’s sake read what you wrote…what is there for me to even take personally in the first place? You missed out that time on actually writing vitriol.
I read what I wrote, and what I wrote. Your point?
Eric. Do not feed the troll. He is baiting you and he’s winning.
Okay, then Ericw — I’m waiting for you to disavow the occupiers who did violence and vandalism. Well?
They’re idiots.
Join a fight and get beat up. That’s tghe way it is. No, go back and catch up o the schoolwork you missed while wasting your personal resources.