Protesters arrested during an Occupy Oakland rally Saturday said they were abused by police, subjected to illegal mass arrests and suffered a litany of human rights violations while held at two county jails - which only strengthened their commitment.
Organizers held a news conference outside Oakland City Hall on Wednesday to denounce police and restate their goal to move into a vacant building. Members called for another demonstration Saturday night, the latest in what Occupy activists have dubbed "F- the police" rallies, as well as a march to a courthouse Monday.
"Even the people who suffered the most traumatizing experiences are back out here," said Caitlin Manning, an Occupy Oakland member. "Santa Rita (county jail) spawns rebels. People who go through that don't come out broken; they come out strengthened."
The Occupy movement, which essentially started on September 17, 2011 with Occupy Wall Street in New York City's Zuccotti Park, has seen tens of thousands of people arrested for peacefully protesting against economic and social inequality.
Police have been heavy handed in trying to curb the mass demonstrations, often using tear gas, pepper spray and brute force to suppress people exercising their democratic rights... so it's no wonder there's a lot of resentment felt towards the police. They really only have themselves to blame for blindly following the orders of the 1%.
