On January 28, 2012, Occupy Oakland protesters were confronted by a large group of police decked out in full riot gear including tear gas, flash grenades, bean bag and rubber bullets. As the protesters were approaching the Henry Kaiser Convention Center, a few protesters threw objects at the police much to the dismay of the majority of the protesters. The police soon determined this group to be unlawful and they then deployed their tear gas, flash grenades, bean bag and rubber bullets.
While it is the duty of the police force to address and subdue any threat, this use of police force was extremely excessive. Alternet.org reports that this use of force breaches the Oakland Police Department’s procedures and protocol as they are not to use excessive force against the entire group even if some people are more violent. Furthermore, the majority of this group remained calm and peaceful even after being subjected to rubber bullets and flash grenades.
With over 400 protesters being arrested by the end of the day, it is clear that the reaction of the Oakland police was unwarranted as the majority of these people were peaceful and did not assault or threaten the police in any way.
Tell the Mayor of Oakland and the Governor of California that excessive police force is inappropriate that more must be done to protect these peaceful protesters.
We the undersigned sincerely ask the Governor of California and the Mayor of Oakland to support and protect peaceful protesters in the Occupy Oakland movement. The excessive police force used on January 28, 2012 is not only inappropriate but dangerous as many people could have been seriously harmed and injured with the use of flash grenades and rubber bullets.
While there may have been a few violent and unruly individuals, the majority of the protesters have been and were completely peaceful. Using excessive force is not only wrong but it violates the Oakland Police Department’s policies and procedures as they are not supposed to attack the whole group for a few individual’s actions. The majority of protests, regardless of where they are, will have a few individuals who act out inappropriately and the police in Oakland need to have a safe and effective plan in place to deal with these individuals without harming the entire group.
Please show citizens across the country and the world that you do not condone violent and aggressive police actions by removing excessive police force tactics from your procedures in dealing with these peaceful protesters.
Thank you.
