Tens of thousands of people streamed into Oakland on November 2nd to answer the call for a general strike, the week after police violently attacked the Occupy movement at city hall with tear gas, flash grenades and bean bag bullets. The attempt to evict the camp failed, but Scott Olsen, an Iraq war veteran and Occupy participant, was stricken by a tear gas canister and remains hospitalized. The protesters called for a general strike in response to the police violence, as well as the overall demands of the Occupy movement. They are seeking an end to economic inequality and to stop the balancing of the economic crisis on the backs of working people. There were rallies and marches throughout the day, halting business as usual in the downtown district. Banks and stores remained shuttered. From there, the protesters moved to the port of Oakland to shut it down with a massive human blockade. This was also a success. “At this time maritime operations are effectively shut down”, declared the Port of Oakland in a statement to the press. Labor had a strong presence, including the SEIU, AFT, Teamsters, NUHW, Iron Workers, and other trade unions. Said one city worker, “I'm here because they cut, cut, and cut our pay and benefits but the administrators keep pulling down $300,000 a year.” Alex, a recent Berkeley graduate said, “Today is a great start towards a movement that can fight the evictions happening all over Oakland.” These pictures tell some of the story of November 2 in Oakland.
_Protesters denounce new Hennepin County threats to end OccupyMN _
Minneapolis, MN – More than 200 people gathered at People’s Plaza in Minneapolis, Nov. 2, to stand up for the right of assembly and to protest government repression of the Occupy movement around the country, particularly in Oakland, California. Speakers at the rally also denounced a new statement by Hennepin County threatening to end the OccupyMN occupation here in Minneapolis when the temperature hits 25 degrees or at the first snowfall.
Milwaukee, WI- Occupy Milwaukee held a second march, Oct. 29, joining with Occupy the Hood. 400 people marched from Lincoln Park down a busy street, ending at a closed-down auto factory. Milwaukee's north side is predominately African-American and is one of the hardest hit areas in the country. Speakers from the labor, anti-racist and peace movements decried the 1% for de-unionization, foreclosures, job loss, wars and military spending, deportations and Wisconsin Senate Bill 207 – a bill aimed to further disenfranchise felons.
Minneapolis, MN – About 600 people, chanting “the banks got bailed out, we got sold out,” joined Occupy MN, along with labor unions and community groups for a march on the banks here, Oct. 29. The protest coincided with the anniversary of the 1929 Stock Market Crash.
Milwaukee, WI – On November 12th, over a hundred student organizers from across the country will gather here to participate in the 6th annual National Convention of [Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)](http://www.newsds.org). SDS was re-founded in 2006 in response to the upsurge of war in the Middle East and the need for a united, national multi-issue radical student and youth organization in the United States.
Minneapolis, MN – Following a march on the banks here, October 29, more than 40 people attended a teach-in organized by Freedom Road Socialist Organization. Entitled, “How capitalism works, and why it doesn’t work for the 99%,” the event brought together activists for a serious discussion on what is wrong with the capitalist system.
Minneapolis, MN – About 150 people joined the American Indian Movement, the Indigenous Environmental Network and OccupyMN for a rally and march to stop the Keystone XL Pipeline, Oct. 27. Speaking in front of the Canadian Consulate, Clyde Bellecourt, of the American Indian Movement expressed solidarity with OccupyMN, denounced the oppression of native peoples and urged support for the movement to bock the pipeline.
Chicago, IL – The Occupy Chicago movement and the Coalition Against NATO/G8 War & Poverty Agenda (CANG8) came together 150 strong, Oct. 26, to defend the right to protest against war and corporate greed.
Des Moines, IA – The movement started by Occupy Wall Street continues to spread. Occupy Des Moines has been in place for over two weeks. 13 were arrested on their first night, Oct. 9, and the city responded by granting them a park to camp in. On Oct. 22 they marched to Obama's campaign headquarters.
Minneapolis, MN – Students from colleges and universities across the Twin Cities gathered for the second week in a row, Oct. 19, at the Occupy MN space in downtown Minneapolis.