Today’s Occupy news stories…
- Day after: City wakes to ‘disaster’ after peaceful, historic march Occupy infighting: Protesters say fringe group hijacked message (Oakland Tribune)
A day after hoisting megaphones and political might, the city of Oakland took to the streets again Thursday — this time armed with scrub brushes, trash bins and the sobering knowledge that a powerful message against Wall Street excess had been overrun by, what one protester called, “a bunch of punks with their own agenda.”
- City residents pack special City Council meeting to talk about Occupy Oakland (Oakland Tribune)
Residents packed a special City Council meeting to talk about Occupy Oakland on Thursday night, with many expressing support for the cause and others decrying business losses and a negative image arising from the violence that has accompanied the protest movement.
- Occupy Oakland struggles with provocative fringe (SF Chronicle)
A majority of Occupy Oakland protesters sought Thursday to distance themselves from masked vandals who they said had undercut the movement by hijacking the tail end of a mostly peaceful protest, damaging downtown buildings and clashing with police.
- About three-fourths of Occupy arrestees were local (SF Chronicle)
About three-fourths of the 103 people arrested Thursday during a chaotic confrontation in downtown Oakland at the end of Occupy Oakland’s general strike were from the Bay Area, authorities say.
- Mayor Quan Jokes Occupy Oakland Should Move to San Francisco (Bay Citizen)
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan acknowledged that the city did not have “enough police in the afternoon” during Wednesday’s Occupy Oakland protest, when vandals smashed windows at some downtown banks and a Whole Foods Market.
- Community leaders ask Occupy Oakland to open a dialogue with City Hall for public good (Oakland Tribune)
Clergy members and public safety advocates appealed to Occupy Oakland organizers Thursday to reopen talks with City Hall in light of the city’s overworked, understaffed Police Department and the need for extra police vigilance caused by the movement’s lack of communication.
- Occupy-led Bank Transfer Day has credit unions prepping for big-bank exodus (SF Examiner)
As banks face criticism from Occupy Wall Street protesters and customers angry about increased fees, credit unions are stepping up to take advantage of this dissatisfaction.
- ‘Anarchists and provocateurs’ to blame, says Oakland police chief (SF Examiner)
Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan blamed what he described as “anarchists and provocateurs” for causing a confrontation with police at a vacant building early Thursday that resulted in more than 80 people getting arrested.
- SF Bartenders Wrongly Targeted as ‘Occupy Oakland’ Goes After Cop (PC Mag)
…Two San Francisco men found themselves threatened and fearing for their families’ safety last week when Occupy supporters posted their contact information online—wrongly believing it belonged to a police officer accused of firing the tear gas canister that fractured (Scott) Olsen’s skull and put him in critical condition.
- ‘Chalkgate’ in San Jose: Occupy protesters can’t chalk sidewalks (SJ Mercury News)
As tear gas canisters explode and masses shut down the Port of Oakland, Occupy protesters in San Jose are in a heated controversy over … (drumroll please) chalk.
- Prominent Silicon Valley businessman to divest Bank of America funds (SJ Mercury News)
A prominent member of Silicon Valley’s exclusive “1 percent” club is pulling his money out of Bank of America and cutting all ties with the bank — and he hopes others will follow his lead.
- Occupy Santa Rosa protester gets stuck climbing bicycle obelisk (Santa Rosa Press Democrat)
A protester from Occupy Santa Rosa climbed a 65-foot bicycle-part sculpture in Santa Rosa in the dark and cold early Friday, aiming to leave an “occupy” flag at the top. Trouble was, once he got up there he froze.