◼ His comments came before a group of demonstrators moved to break into the Travelers Aid building in order to, as some shouting protesters put it, "reclaim the building for the people." - AP via Drudge (image source)
One of the protest leaders, Boots Riley, touted the day as a success, saying "we put together an ideological principle that the mainstream media wouldn't talk about two months ago."
Riley, whose anti-capitalist views are well-documented, considered the port shut down particularly significant for organizers who targeted it in an effort to stop the "flow of capital." The port sends goods primarily to Asia, including wine as well as rice, fruits and nuts, and handles imported electronics, apparel and manufacturing equipment, mostly from Asia, as well as cars and parts from Toyota, Honda, Nissan and Hyundai. An accounting of the financial toll from the shutdown was not immediately available.
The potential for the chaos that ultimately erupted was not something Riley wanted to even consider. "If they do that after all this ..." He paused, then added, "They're smarter than that." But the peace that abided throughout the day, did not last into the night.
◼ 'Occupy' Rallies Turn Violent... - LA Times
◼ Police Tear Gas Oakland Protesters... Yahoo
Demonstrators managed to gain entry to an empty building that had housed the Traveler's Aid Society, a nonprofit organization that assists the homeless but had suffered funding cuts. Leaflets indicated that protesters had targeted the building for "reuse." They branded it a new "community center" in Twitter feeds. Video from a local ABC affiliate's helicopter showed jubilant crowds flowing in and out of the building, where a banner marked "Occupy Everything" hung. Others built a barricade nearby, presumably to discourage police.◼ Mob Runs Wild in City Streets... - SF Chronicle
Shortly before midnight, local media reported that police officers from various agencies were suiting up in riot gear. Some demonstrators set the barricade aflame. Firefighters doused it. A police statement later said protesters had hurled rocks, explosives, bottles and flaming objects at officers.
◼ Shut Down Port, Attack WHOLE FOODS, ATMs... - CBS San Francisco
◼ More ugly Occupy Oakland pictures that won’t make MSM front pages - Michelle Malkin
Elsewhere:
◼ Cops, Protesters Clash in Seattle... = Seattle Times
◼ Bloomberg Ready to 'Take Actions'... - NY Daily News
◼ Baltimore Cuts Power To Camp... - CBS Baltimore
