this on Oakland protests

[ellenrr]

(hope not a dup. posting)

Oakland protesters block Interstate 880

Hundreds of protesters swarmed onto Interstate 880 in Oakland Friday, forced the closure of the West Oakland BART Station, broke windows and roughed up a store owner during a third straight night of demonstrations against the recent killings of unarmed black men by police.

The teeming crowd chanted “shut it down” as they marched onto the freeway off-ramp about 9 p.m., and blocked traffic in both directions, prompting police to scramble. The blockage was short-lived. Police used a megaphone to warn of mass arrests.

“Disrupt the system,” the demonstrators yelled in unison as they marched off the freeway. At least two people were arrested during the incident, according to witnesses.

But they weren’t finished. The throng then surged into the West Oakland Bart Station and pounded on the entry gates, which were hastily closed before being swamped by the group. The crowd jammed a trash can underneath the gate and broke it. Someone broke a window at the station while others graffitied the walls as the mob shouted, “Oscar Grant, Oscar Grant.”

http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/3rd-straight-night-of-protests-in-Oakland-S-F-5939048.php

[ellenrr]

1. a very young participant

Toussaint Valverde, 5, pounded on a toy drum and said “brown people are dying,” as his mother stood by, a mixture of pride and regret.

“It’s unfortunate we have to teach our children this,” said Kieu Linh Valverde, 40, of Oakland, who brought Toussaint and her 3-year-old daughter, Emmanuelle, to the demonstration. “We want change and we’re here today because I want my children to be leaders in that change.”

[daredtowork]

2. Dang I want to join some of that

I tried to join some of the Occupy marching a few years ago, but my level of mobility just wasn't up to it. Wish I had a scooter.

[ellenrr]

5. I know what you mean. I've missed a lot of events that I would have liked to participate in,

due to mobility issues.
If something is close by, I can. Can't walk too much.
I like to go with my cane.
I'd like a scooter too, could get around.

In some cases Medicare pays for a scooter, but my issue is not permanent, so it would be me paying for it. I'm hoping I recover completely.

If you do get a scooter and go, I always think it is very impressive to see someone at a protest, whose physical ability is limited in some way.

I remember a demo at Johnson & Johnson (regarding ALEC and other issues). A car drove up and a woman using crutches got out, with so much difficulty. Or at least to me it seemed like her being there took a whole lot of effort.

[daredtowork]

8. I'm trying to keep an eye on it for the right place/occasion

Is there a particular web site/twitter feed I can use to keep informed? (PM me that info if its not something you want to make an open invite to Powers That Surveille).

[pinboy3niner]

9. Try these sites to locate planned protests:

Ferguson National Response Network
(Use Index button at left of screen to locate protests in your state.)
http://fergusonresponse.tumblr.com/tagged/CA

fergusonaction.com
http://engage.fergusonaction.com/solidarity_actions?page=5

[daredtowork]

10. Thanks! Bookmarked! nt

[seveneyes]

3. "roughed up a store owner during a third straight night of demonstrations"

What possible excuse is there for such an offense?

[ellenrr]

7. NONE- this stinks!

but hey, among the protesters - thousands of them - there are bound to be some bad apples.
but this should never happen.

I just heard about a local organizer, a really good guy, or so I thought, who lost it at a meeting with some city politicians, and called one woman a sp*c (slur for people of Spanish descent)
Damn! That was upsetting to learn.

[JaneyVee]

4. These are no longer national protests, these are national uprisings.

2015 will be the year of full scale protests from coast to coast like this country has never seen. Between social justice protests, civil rights protests, and the oncoming economic assaults from the next republican congress, it's going to be a helluva year in America.

[ellenrr]

6. well, I am not as optimistic as you, but if you are correct regarding full scale protests,

I sure hope they include climate change.
Cuz if we don't stop climate change, nothing else matters.

[customerserviceguy]

12. It'll play right into the hands of the Repukes if there are 'national uprisings'

I remember Richard Nixon winning the election in 1968, even with George Wallace siphoning off the worst of the racist vote, and the electoral votes of five states that thereafter went GOP in all future Presidential elections.

Wait until Hillary has to pick a side. She'll alienate either the base that came out for Barack Obama, or the scared people in the mushy middle.

[Ink Man]

11. If

your mad at the police go disrupt the police.

If you mad a the courts go disrupt the court house.

But closing down the freeway and bart station is disrupting your neighbors. IMO not the best way to gain support.

[pinboy3niner]

13. The American tradition of inconveniencing motorists...

Pic Of The Moment: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017230315