http://www.insidebayarea.com/oakland/ci_19247017
Though mostly a quiet an peaceful protest, there was what Oakland Tribune news journalist Sean Maher wrote was “almost like a rebel checkpoint” near the Port of Oakland, California. Around 7:40 pm protesters were deciding who would be allowed through this checkpoint at the intersection of Seventh Street and Maritime. Maher notes that “every car that comes through is stopped while protesters question the driver, then debate with the larger group about whether they should be allowed to pass.”
Some protesters debated about who to let through the checkpoint, but how this decision was made to let cars pas or not is not clear. However, there is no indication that any car was “detained” or turned away from the impromptu checkpoint. It’s hard for me to believe there was a checkpoint by protesters in Oakland, especially without any video or photographic evidence. It may be forthcoming in the near future. Was Maher exaggerating when he called a California street intersection a “rebel checkpoint,” or something “almost like” one? Who was in charge of this checkpoint, if anyone, remains to be seen, but it should be investigated. before some of the truck drivers could pass the checkpoint they would need to be cleared by the protesters that contorted this area. “Then, they await the larger answer,” Maher reports at 7:40 pm. Cars are allowed to pass through the checkpoint when the majority of the crowd shouted to “let him go through,” Maher adds.
Even so, the results of such an investigation won’t change the fact that the protest itself was a huge success in demonstrating their frustrations against government oppression, while still allowing tolerance for opposing views. More so, citizens have once again reminded the world that there is still strength in numbers! Especially against Wall Street and the global banking industry in general; of which the Federal Reserve controls and manipulates for their own purposes. The people have also demonstrated that a peaceful demonstration is an affective way to spread awareness about government issues. The Occupy Movement should be focused on the Federal Reserve System, for that is the root of the current problems we face in America, and across the world. The Occupy Oakland demonstration proved that We the People still have a voice in our country and we still exercise our right to demonstrate.
On 11th Street and Broadway, two protesters were injured by a car that apparently ran a red light after some type of interaction with some of the protesters marching from Frank Ogawa Plaza to the Port of Oakland. The driver of the vehicle was apparently angry with some protesters who put their hands on his car while he was trying to drive “banging on the hood of his car”
Oakland Tribune news writer Paul T. Rosynsky reported at 7:35 pm that CBS 5 news trucks did not have as much luck as others in leaving the Port. Some of the protesters were vocal in allowing the trucks through, but others physically tried to block the trucks from leaving.
Hindsight will show the irony of protesters creating their own checkpoints in America. To be fair, only certain individuals should be at fault for this tyrannical behavior, not the entire group of demonstrators. Whatever we think about the Occupy Movement, we can certainly all agree that a peaceful demonstration attracts the masses. A peaceful demonstration is an unbeatable demonstration. The Tribune report adds that Alameda Labor Council members “served free hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie dogs and veggie burgers to a ravenous crowd and had given away more than 4,000 meals by 8 p.m. Firefighters from the City of Alameda with Alameda Local 689 worked the massive charcoal grills while other volunteers began picking up the mountains of trash overflowing garbage bins.”
Those who control Wall Street would like to control the entire Occupy Movement. We will know them by the fruits of their labor. The clear goal of Occupy and similar movements should be to get rid of the Federal Reserve Act. There is only one man who has stepped up to do just that. His name is Ron Paul. If we occupy the voting booths, perhaps we can decrease chances of voter fraud, thus increase the chance of Ron Paul becoming our next President of the United States. Is this a fairytale, the impossible dream? Is it possible that Ron Paul can continue the momentum to abolish the Federal Reserve?
Only in America.
