Sending in riot cops for a permit violation seems to prove the point of the Anti-Repression Rally. Oakland Police Department brought in dozens of riot cops to confiscate sound equipment after deeming it a “nuisance” around Noon at Oscar Grant Plaza. Daily Kos has a story about Oakland’s insanity.
As a small group of “Stand Up For Oakland” protesters looked on, cops entered the plaza with batons drawn and riot helmet shields down. The counter protest was allowed sound since they filed for a permit. Officers instructed the Anti-Repression Rally to stop using sound, which they did. Even though the speakers were turned off, police still confiscated the equipment.
While Mayor Jean Quan and other city officials blame Occupy Oakland for “wasting resources,” it is the City making the decision to send riot cops to deal with a sound permit issue in the plaza. This is what repression looks like.
