In an effort to cool the violent tone set Tuesday night street clashes with demonstrators occupy Auckland, police destroyed barricades Wednesday near the Town Hall, have drastically reduced their presence and said that they would allow night demonstrations in the area until 22: 0000
More than 1500 and up to 3000 people responded Wednesday night at Frank Ogawa Plaza, where they voted in favour of holding a city-wide General strike on 2 November, when workers and students will be urged to stay home to show support for the movement of occupied.
Grassy Plaza section of the website development camp, police dismantled Tuesday morning and remained fenced off to clear, albeit not for long. To 7:0 the fence were demolished as the lawn, filled with Protesters chanting "whose Park? Our park! "the police kept their distance.
Before the 10:0 demonstrators pitched a tent. Some left the Bart train in San Francisco, in anticipation of a police raid on the camp at Justin Herman Plaza along the Embarcadero. More than 1000 other marched through Auckland after police allowed them to BART, which also closed its Embarcadero station in San Francisco.
At a press conference late night Oakland officials said grass Plaza "biohazard" from chemicals used to clean it. Nevertheless, Mayor Jean Quan said: "If this remains a peaceful demonstration, we will support a minimal police presence." She wouldn't say what actions the city will take it if demonstrators restore their camp.
The fence around the square became a metaphor of sorts in debates aggressiveness protest tactics. One of those who tore down the fence — Toby Barton, 37, who said he lives in a Van in Auckland. As some people tried to get him to stop, he shouted, this is a direct action. Nothing changes until s gets demolished. "
David Hoffer, 24, San Francisco tried to keep the fence intact, saying: "we can't knock down fences. If you want democracy, you have to work within the framework of our democratic system. "
Police questioned
Dispute over protest tactics came after afternoon press conference, in which the interim police Chief Howard Jordan defended the tactics of Oakland his Department. "We are committed to providing freedom of speech", he said, "but the first amendment does not tolerate violence or the threat to the public or property".
On Tuesday the withdrawal camp saw the mass arrests, but was largely peaceful. Downtown March later in the day, however, turned into a protracted street clashes between demonstrators and police officers from more than a dozen agencies that set off tear gas and used shotguns shells designed to inflict pain, but no serious damage.
Police said that they must protect themselves against demonstrators who threw stones, bottles and paint.
On Wednesday showing the protesters rubber bullets and beanbags, they said were fired at them tonight. Jordan said that his Department used beanbags but not rubber bullets, but that other institutions can used rubber bullets.
Iraq vet injured
Six or seven people were injured, Jordan said. The most seriously injured was Scott Olsen, 24, Daly City, a member of veterans against the war in Iraq, which was listed in critical condition Wednesday General Hospital Highlands in Auckland.
Anti-war group said Olsen, a system administrator in the San Francisco software company, fractured his skull when he was hit by a "blunt instrument". Olsen joined the United States Marines in 2006 year, served two tours in Iraq and was discharged in the year 2010, said the group.
Video distribution on the Internet shows a protester, antiwar group identified as Olsen, being passionate about the other with a head wound. The cause was unclear. While he was lying wounded, footage appears to show an officer throwing something-perhaps tear gas canister-to people to help him.
"I think it's a sad state of affairs when marine cannot peacefully gathered on the streets without getting injured," said Jose Sanchez, Executive Director of veterans against the war in Iraq.
Jordan said that the incident was under investigation. "I wish it didn't happen. Our goal is not to cause harm to anyone. "
Protesters upset about rising economic inequality, among other issues.
Discussion on tactics
But street clashes brings focus to the central question that camp took Oakland was discussed on several occasions their 15 nights outside the Mayor's Office-whether demonstrators should choose violence against police, met with force.
Most of the supported non-violence, and many disappointed that some in the crowd threw bottles and paint at police. However, some protesters favor aggression are determined to continue the tactic. At the heart of the debate was that message, the movement wants to project and how.
David Hartsough, who helped lead civil rights sit-ins and marches to the South in the early 1960 's, said that he urged the participants to have occupied in Oakland and San Francisco to redouble the efforts of non-violence.
"If people fought back when police dogs in Selma and Birmingham, they would not have the support they have received," said Hartsough, who founded the non-violent San Francisco.
When the protest on Tuesday transferred to the volley of rocks and tear gas, some organizers took the filmmakers. "If you throw something, you're as bad as COP," one speaker applause of several hundred people.
Chant followed, to convey the same message, but then someone from the back of the crowd lobbed glass bottle that shattered police helmets. Officials responded again lobbing tear gas.
Take Oakland protester Casey Jones, 28, wore a t-shirt Wednesday, reading "thrash and burn" and the up and down Broadway skateboarded screaming, "Bring it on!"
"I'm all about riot-we need to be violent," he said. "We need more numbers. We'll just keep marching on. "
Chronicle staff writers will Kane and Carolyn Jones contributed to this report.
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