Author: Frazier Group, LLC
Title: Independent Investigation Occupy Oakland Response October 25, 2011
Summary: On October 10, 2011, a group identifying itself as Occupy Oakland set up an encampment in front of Oakland City Hall in Frank Ogawa Plaza Park (FOP Park). The group erected approximately 147 tents, kitchen and restroom facilities, child care areas, posted dozens of banners, and claimed the park as their own. At that time, the City of Oakland sought to accommodate the group in the exercise of their First Amendment rights of expression. However, as time progressed, there were legitimate concerns - mostly supported by evidence - on behalf of city officials for the health, safety and welfare of people in the FOP Park, city employees, and community members. One official who had detailed knowledge of devolving conditions stated "The totality of circumstances was untenable." In short, these concerns included but were not limited to: Health and Welfare - trash and debris were excessive, human and animal waste was observed in excavated holes and buckets, portable bathrooms were too few and un-serviced, rodents were populating the Park, and food preparation and provision were occurring in unsanitary conditions. Safety - illegal and non-permitted electrical hookups were made and structures indicating permanence were erected. Fire inspectors voiced concerns regarding the presence of propane tanks, open-flame cooking, plus cooking and smoking inside tents. A victim who fell from a structure was carried away from the Park for treatment because occupants would not allow fire/medical personnel access. Police officers who attempted to walk through the Park were confronted and told to leave. Attitudes graduated toward aggression and violence. City employees3 were complaining about harassment and concerns for their personal safety. Media reported that a teacher who had occupied the camp was attacked and choked, and a reporter was attacked by a dog and then confronted and told to leave. There were concerns about an alleged sexual assault within the Park, a homeless individual who was beaten with a board, and obvious use of drugs and alcohol. Individuals in the Park felt threatened when they were confronted by groups and told to not communicate with government officials. One government official who attempted to liaison with members of Occupy during a march was told by the marchers he was lucky they did not beat him or spit on him. During the later afternoon hours, the population of the Park increased to the degree where clustering was problematic, tempers flared, arguments ensued, and people within the Park had to intervene to prevent escalation. An effort to identify leadership of Occupy, and then establish a working, collaborative relationship between Occupy and City officials, was a priority of the City from the very early stages of the movement in the Park. A city representative feels that Occupy never allowed this relationship to develop, and in fact Occupy members ensured that it deteriorated over time. City of Oakland Officials became increasingly concerned about conditions within the encampment, and the OPD was directed to develop an eviction plan. On October 25, 2011 beginning at approximately 5:00 AM, 392 OPD and 202 mutual aid personnel responded to 14th and Broadway Streets. Their purpose was execution of the OPD plan to evict the Occupy movement from both FOP Park and from Snow Park. In the early evening, Occupy Oakland clashed with the Oakland Police Department resulting in controversial uses of force, including an incident involving a protestor who was critically injured by a police officer after allegedly being struck in the head by a specialty impact munition and/or a tear gas canister. The Aftermath of October 25th In the wake of these events, serious concerns were raised by both City Officials and by the community at large concerning use of unnecessary force, overall police performance, and OPD’s ability to manage future events in an acceptable manner. The ability of OPD to effectively and impartially investigate the widely reported allegations of police use of force and other misconduct was also questioned. In response to this need for an impartial review of the events of October 25th, the City of Oakland contracted Frazier Group, LLC on December 19, 2011. We are pleased to present the following report, completed under the terms of this contract.
Details: Oakland, CA: Frazier Group, 2012.
Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 28, 2012 at www2.oaklandnet.com/w/OAK036236
Year: 2012
Country: United States
URL:
Shelf Number: 125370
Keywords:
Crowd ControlDisorderly ConductProtestsPublic DisorderRiots and Disorders (California) |
