Protesters marching, breaking windows in downtown Oakland

[Newsjock]

Source: Oakland Tribune

A crowd of as many as 100 protesters marched through downtown Friday, breaking car windows and a window at Barack Obama's local campaign office.

... Police also confirmed that several car windows were broken. The protesters began organizing about 9 p.m. (PDT) and marched up Broadway.

Read more: http://www.insidebayarea.com/oakland-tribune/ci_21233735/oakland-protesters-marching-breaking-windows-downtown-oakland

---

Photo from KTVU:

[Drunken Irishman]

1. Classy.

[booley]

2. whats' their message?

who knows?

All we can see is the vandalism they left behind.

[99th_Monkey]

19. I think their message is pretty clear

If you are not into "fucking shit up",
then you are somehow "less than",
and politically somehow "inferior".

At same time, the message is also a raw willingness,
to throw their young alive bodies onto the gears and
wheels of death-dealing capitalism .. to stop it.

To stop the carnage, to topple this house of cards.
Feeling that this IS the only option left to them ..
to forget about their own personal sense of
safety and security, and just do the right thing.

All pretense goes out the window, everything becomes
very simple, which is merely to DO what our Founding Fathers,
implored that each and every US citizens should do,

RESIST ANY AND ALL FORMS OF AUTHORITARIANISM,
REGARDLESS OF CORPORATE AMERICA'S ALLURING & TRENDY GARB,
OR OUR FAUX "GOVERNMENT" PRETENDING TO REPRESENT REAL PEOPLE.

CORPORATIONS ARE NOT PEOPLE.
MONEY IS NOT FREE SPEACH.

[DeSwiss]

23. Exactly.

"These protesters have not come to work within the system. They are not pleading with Congress for electoral reform. They know electoral politics is a farce and have found another way to be heard and exercise power. They have no faith, nor should they, in the political system or the two major political parties. They know the press will not amplify their voices, and so they created a press of their own. They know the economy serves the oligarchs, so they formed their own communal system. This movement is an effort to take our country back.

This is a goal the power elite cannot comprehend. They cannot envision a day when they will not be in charge of our lives. The elites believe, and seek to make us believe, that globalization and unfettered capitalism are natural law, some kind of permanent and eternal dynamic that can never be altered. What the elites fail to realize is that rebellion will not stop until the corporate state is extinguished.

It will not stop until there is an end to the corporate abuse of the poor, the working class, the elderly, the sick, children, those being slaughtered in our imperial wars and tortured in our black sites. It will not stop until foreclosures and bank repossessions stop. It will not stop until students no longer have to go into debt to be educated, and families no longer have to plunge into bankruptcy to pay medical bills. It will not stop until the corporate destruction of the ecosystem stops, and our relationships with each other and the planet are radically reconfigured.

And that is why the elites, and the rotted and degenerate system of corporate power they sustain, are in trouble. That is why they keep asking what the demands are." ~Chris Hedges, "Why the Elites Are in Trouble"

- Chris is so right, but Martin Luther King Jr. said it even more succinctly: ''A riot is the language of the unheard.''

[99th_Monkey]

28. +100 ~nt

[hedgehog]

53. Sometimes a riot is just the language of those taking advantage of the situation.

[DeSwiss]

55. Agreed.

Not the frustrated rioters who are simply responding in the ways they've been programmed by years of teevee and other BS propaganda -- but usually by the likes of some government (or quasi-government -- there's really not much difference between private and public when you get to this point) agency ensconced into this police state we affectionately call ''the land of the free.''



''When it gets down to having to use violence, then you are playing the system’s game. The establishment will irritate you – pull your beard, flick your face – to make you fight. Because once they’ve got you violent, then they know how to handle you. The only thing they don’t know how to handle is non-violence and humor.'' ~John Lennon

[SILVER__FOX52]

44. Exactly right !

[snooper2]

50. and you forgot, "Truthy To Power"

Oh, and also, "Can I borrow your ipad charger because I left mine back at the flat"

[booley]

57. is that their message? Or what you projected into it?

because while you're making pretty political speeches what everybody else is seeing are lots of broken windows

[99th_Monkey]

59. A little of both

I have very mixed feelings about the Black Bloc.

I hate their tactics and think they totally miss the
mark... like stooping to the very tactics this
messed up society uses to repress movements like
Occupy.

At same time I know many of them are well
intentioned impressionable youth who are TOTALLY
alienated and pissed off and use it as a way to vent
those feelings, which is both immature and ineffective.

Another unfortunate fact is that the BB provides agent
provocateurs PERFECT cover for their nefarious
sabotage of otherwise peaceful movements like Occupy.

[Ash_F]

58. Oakland has a long history of police and administrative abuse and corruption.

It predates the occupy movement, but you can believe it it fuels it. That's why it is particularly strong in that city. There have been reforms over the years but people are still sore. It is something that will probably take another decade or two to really heal.

[Control-Z]

3. Ain't it funny (not haha)

that when you hear about violence and angry mobs in a political setting, it is pretty much ALWAYS republicans?

Were there any arrests? I read the info at the link and I didn't see anything about that. But the cops were following? And witnessed it?

There better have been arrests!!

[AblativMeatshld]

4. Really now...

that when you hear about violence and angry mobs in a political setting, it is pretty much ALWAYS republicans?

And the last report of violence at a republican gathering that was cause by republicans (or even libertarians) was when, exactly?

I suppose you didn't bother to check the story... The protestors?

More inline with Black Bloc, if not OWS itself...

http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Oakland-police-targeted-by-vandals-3761360.php

[Keefer]

5. Bye, bye!

Nice knowing you...

[patrice]

8. You have raised only rational questions. That's not a problem to everyone here. nt

[randome]

36. Agreed.

This is a discussion forum, not a ditto-head forum.

[sabrina 1]

46. You are correct, and the 'ditto head' has been PPR'd with the explanation:

'Rightwing Troll'.

Once again proving my point about the far right hating OWS and now apparently even coming here to try to spread their fears and hatred of the movement.

You were referring to the right wing troll I am assuming when you said 'this is a discussion forum, not a ditto head forum'. Because there certainly wasn't much to discuss with that very obvious ditto head.

[AblativMeatshld]

7. I mean...

Considering the Occupy Oakland twitter account said "we mobbin at 19th and tele. fence is down. Free The Park!", it isn't entirely against logic to think that perhaps they were the ones who smashed the windows at the campaign office located at 16th and Telegraph...

[patrice]

9. ??? Please cite whatever TOS violation you think applies here. Thanks.

[valerief]

33. That's because there aren't enough of them. nt

[bemildred]

56. The only one I can think of off the top of my head:

?w=584

[Trajan]

41. Mr. Ablativ is gone now, but he was correct about your claim

There is no indication whatsoever that this was done by republicans ...

Your assertion is wrong ....

[99th_Monkey]

48. If I might hazard a wild guess

I'm thinking this "claim" of which you speak,
and at which you take such great umbrage..

I bet the claim was referring to the widely known and well
documented pattern of police using shadowy RW "law
enforcement" creeps (like Zimmerman) and/or other
dark side minions; to engage in a behavior known
as being an"Agent Provocateur" (AP), and creating
violence out of thin air, by pushing others into a
police line, or throwing rocks at police, just to get
things rolling, so the cops can then "justifiably"
swarm innocent non-violent unarmed citizens,
and beat the living shit out of them, just because
they can, thanks to the "assistance" given by
the AP's, to ignite an already tense situation into a
violent one, where property is damaged and people
are hurt.

just a wild guess, mind you; but I suspect that what
I'm talking about here may have been what the offending
post was intended to address and to point out.

[patrice]

10. NOT the sort of thing that inspires support for a case against police brutality, but then, that MAY

be the point, "let's associate police brutality with Obama", and make our predictions come true.

http://theincendiaryinsight.blogspot.com/2011/10/alt-right-movement-and-generation-y.html

[AblativMeatshld]

11. And interesting question...

But since most of the cases you hear about ANY police action (brutality or not) occurs in cities with Democrat mayors, this would be one hell of a long game to cause negative associations between politics and the police...

And that link somehow manages to be both extremely pessimistic, and exceedingly optimistic...

[patrice]

12. "long game" with the internet & social software??? Surely, you jest. nt

[patrice]

14. And perhaps you have missed the point of what calls itself "the Left" these days, which is that it

hates Obama for what they perceive as his many betrayals of what we are supposed to believe are their issues, so why would a Democratic mayor mitigate any of that? S/he wouldn't, in fact, s/he would be a good surrogate for the President.

BTW, I suppose I should explain that I don't think what is calling itself "the Left" is necessarily the authentic Left; this election year has created some unusual bed-fellows, many of whom seem quite willing to hurt the disadvantaged and the poorest in the name of a perceived chance at political advantage, not a characteristic I would say of anyone really interested in economic and social justice. Not that those at the bottom cannot become part of the struggle, just that they need to choose their own sacrifices, not have them forced upon them by those with political ambitions.

[AblativMeatshld]

17. Honestly...

"The Left" these days looks and sounds more socialist than what once used to be liberalism.

Even modern liberalism isn't what classical liberalism is.

I don't think they hate President Obama for "his failures", I honestly think it is because they were hoping for even more that falls in line with their belief system.

[patrice]

22. We live in a system that provides socialism for corporations and financiers and the military, so

perhaps you can understand some other's expectations in that regard.

There are after-all as many varieties and degrees of socialism as there are ways to articulate the assumption that the group/society OWES each of its individual members something, some real value, in exchange for the real value of their agreed participation and membership in the group/society.

Agreed about "Liberalism" and classic Liberals.

Oh, it is VERY definitely his failures that they are harping on. I have been a member here for a long time and I am a close observer, so I do know what I'm seeing.

"hoping for even more" than what? that you imply that they did receive on their agenda but wanted more? As far as what calls itself "the Left" is concerned they have received absolutely nothing on their agenda, so that's not "more" since it's nothing in the first place. If you're referring to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, you should recall that those mandated dollars are not a lot different from the 50+% of our tax dollars that go to the military for wars that many of us don't want - AND - provide profits to private enterprises in the process, just like the health care mandate provides profits, by law, to health care insurance companies. Private profits, nothing could be further from what is usually perceived to be a "socialist" agenda.

[UnrepentantLiberal]

27. Democrat mayors you say?

Enjoy your stay here.

[smirkymonkey]

51. "Democrat" as an adjective. A dead give away.

Later dude.

[BeHereNow]

13. Bingo! 100 protestors?

Sounds like KKK Rove move to hire young republicans to create chaos.

They think we never learn-
anyone been in touch with Oakland OO/WS to verify who these
"protestors are?
Any independent willing to follow them back their Young GOP buses?

A part of the story is missing here.

BHN

[AblativMeatshld]

15. Let's be honest here...

Again, with the Occupy Oakland talking about being at 19th and Telegraph shortly after the reports about the campaign office at 16th and tele getting it's windows smashed, is it really that unreasonable to think it was someone in that group?

Don't forget, this is the same city that attacked the popo's building because they were mad about and FBI investigation (which, if I can be honest, is kind of a stupid plan...).

[roseBudd]

45. In, my city, the sane supporters of OC have fled, leaving just the paranoid crazies...

Being facebook friends offers insights into folks paranoia. I was shocked as I thought gullibility was a right wing province. What is so weird is they hate Obama, Romney doesn't even register.

[patrice]

16. Right on. Real organizers against police brutality wouldn't fuck with their own case like this.

Something else is going on here.

[AblativMeatshld]

18. Ummm...

What group was it that shat on a police car?

These are late teens and early 20's... "Rational thought" isn't something I normally associate with them. Have you seen Black Bloc folks?

They really do think that throwing stuff at cops is a good idea.

Many times, stuff is instigated by the more experienced, committed by the younger folks, and the ensuing violence (justified by the cops or not) gets recorded for use as agitprop.

[BeHereNow]

21. With all due respect- how familiar are you with Oakland?

Just curious to know, because so far you have posted nothing remotely
informed about the community.
Again,
A respectful query.

BHN

[patrice]

24. People fall to one's expectations of them. 20-somethings are completely capable of rational thought.

They may not value it as much as some of the rest of us do, for reasons of their own, but they CAN think if they are motivated to do so.

I will admit that their tools for rational expression ARE somewhat limited though. That's skills stuff and vocabulary, also temperament too, all things that may be, on the average, at some disadvantage in current conditions.

[valerief]

34. What do you think revolution is? Bending over for it? nt

[2pooped2pop]

35. I agree

If there was vandalism occurring, and police watching, why would they not be arrested? Police in with them, stirring up bad shit again?

I'm not saying that this is not black bloc, anarchist or ows. I am saying the following:

Black Bloc and Anarchist- u need to be suspicious of those in your crowd that advocate violence. They are trying to use u to tear down the movement. They will lead u into a bullshit crime and eventually u will end up with some kind of terrorism charges. B careful who u play with, kids.

If this is not BB, Anarchist, or OWS, we really do need to follow them to see who they are.

[99th_Monkey]

49. These kinds of events are rarely what they seem to be on the surface

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agent_provocateur

[Mellow56]

20. Right Wing Bullies

I know my reply has nothing to do with this particular protest but....I have to say we see in the news where Republicans feel free to carry guns in plain site to gatherings where Democratic officials are to speak. Republicans also feel free to show a HANGING figure of a black President Obama, an out house with his name on it and the nice folks out of the great State of Virginia threatening to take up arms and overthrow the government if the President gets in again. They seem like they could be violent to me.

[patrice]

25. Agree. There's also a lot of resonance going on. People reacting to reactions to reactions . . .

[slackmaster]

39. Open carry of even unloaded handguns is illegal in California now, since January 1

Right Wing Bullies

There's not a lot of RW sentiment in Oakland, but there are a lot of unemployed young people who are out of school for the summer.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

26. Were these Alex Jones fans?

You know, the types that see conspiracies and The New World Order in their socks?

There are lots of groups that join in on protests. OWS has tons of hangers-on. Not to mention a bunch of Ron Paul Libertarians and WTO anarchists that are anti-government just on general principle and consider both Democrats and Republicans to be the same sham to keep the sheeple happy,....blah, blah, blah.... (their own version of "baa baa baa&quot

[limpyhobbler]

30. The group who did this - did they give a particular reason for doing this?

Are they trying to draw attention to something particular, or is it just mindless violence?

[roaminronin]

32. Couldn't possibly be anything like this...

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2012/07/anaheim_police_riots_plant.php?page=1

"...Members of Kelly's Army who were at the Anaheim protest on Tuesday alleging that they caught a police plant."

Never know WHO you are dealing with these days.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

37. At least it wasn't an Occupy protest... nt

[slackmaster]

38. How can you tell?

[randome]

40. Because they received bad press. Duh.

[starroute]

42. Best I can find on Twitter is people calling it a "mobile dance party"

It quite frankly sounds more like a celebration than like any kind of protest. Just "let's all get together in the streets on a nice summer night."

The window-breaking seems to have participants confused -- which would seem to suggest police provocateurs.

Oh, and here's AblativMeatshld with what seems to be a drawing of Andrew Breitbart as his icon: https://twitter.com/AblativMeatshld


On edit: Twitter exchange:

4h ?@OccupyOakland
Obama campaign HQ's windows smashed tonight in Oakland *disclaimer* Much BS in the MSM reporting http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/east_bay&id=8761493 … #oo #ows #ftp #obama

4h ?@DianeSweet
Such as? @OccupyOakland *disclaimer* Much BS in the MSM reporting #oo #ows

3h @OccupyOakland
@DianeSweet such as we never applied for any sort of permit nor would we ever.

3h @AblativMeatshld
@OccupyOakland Any other items in the story you'd like to correct for the record? @DianeSweet

3h @OccupyOakland
@AblativMeatshld @DianeSweet well, for many, the mood was only changed for the better. way more than 200 on march. also we werent mad.

3h ?@AblativMeatshld
@OccupyOakland Fair enough... Any idea who might have busted the windows? No need to name names... were they members or not? @DianeSweet

3h ?@OccupyOakland
@AblativMeatshld @DianeSweet i think it was some raucous liberal 50-somethings.

3h @AblativMeatshld
@OccupyOakland hmmm. interesting. Dem Underground will be disappointed to hear that, lol. @DianeSweet

[smile777]

43. Thank you, starroute!

Thanks for your sleuthing here, starroute! Now I understand what AblativMeatshld is really up to. Deception is the name of the game for those on the dark side.

[Drew Richards]

47. I call Bulls***t this does not look like occupy

it looks more like black block, paid provocateurs and anarchists in the front to me...

AND to claim it was occupy oakland protesters that caused damage because a meet was placed on a public twitter account is ludicrous; not to mention a flaming sack of bs.

But please continue to denigrate ows.

We will know you buy your actions and words.

take a look for yourself...as this seems to be the only photos currently available and none showing damage occurring...but they do not look like the ows crowd to me...

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2012/08/04/18718838.php

[4th law of robotics]

52. Once upon a time we just called that a riot

not a protest.

[progressivebydesign]

54. assholes. guess they're "anarchists" which in Seattle means rich angry kids who dress up n/t