Oakland Mayor criticized by Police Officers for Her Response to Occupy Oakland
A statement filled with criticisms, which was released by the Oakland Police Officers' Association, is accusing the mayor of Oakland about her confusing stance on the Occupy Oakland encampment.
The Oakland Police Officer's Association issued an open letter, questioning Mayor Jean Quan why the city plans to enhance its police presence at strike-related events while leaving a access for other city workers to participate in protests.
Last Tuesday night, the mayor of Oakland Jean Quan authorized police to raid Occupy Oakland's encampment in the Frank Ogawa plaza, which is located in front of City Hall.
Hundreds of officers and sheriff's deputies from 16 outside agencies were assigned to participate in the action of evacuating the Occupy Oakland campers early Oct. 25 from Frank Ogawa Plaza outside City Hall, but Quan allowed protesters to reclaim the next day, the union's open letter to the citizens of Oakland noted. The protesters began rebuilding its encampment immediately after getting the permission to go back. The scale of the encampment now is not smaller than it was before being dismantled.
According to the police union, police are upset to carry out the assignment to clear the protesters' encampment a week ago, only to have the mayor give permission to the protesters to reclaim their campsite. And the raid last Tuesday, in which tear gas was fired and other law enforcement actions related to the protest, cost Oakland $1 million.
We, too, are the 99 percent fighting for better working conditions, fair treatment and the ability to provide a living for our children and families, the Oakland Police Officers' Association statement said. We are severely understaffed with many city beats remaining unprotected by police during the day and evening hours.
As your police officers, we are confused.
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