After a day of peaceful protest in which over 1,000 Occupy Oakland demonstrators called for a “general strike” to shut down the Port of Oakland, things took a chaotic turn as police and protesters clashed again.
STORY: Occupy Oakland Turns Bloody! War Rages With Police!
Oakland Police and protesters supporting the Occupy movement clashed in Downtown Oakland for the second time in two weeks.
STORY: Occupy Oakland Shows Strength As Teachers And Nurses Join The Fight
The peaceful event turned extremely violent early Thursday, after protesters took over a vacant building and the police moved in, firing tear gas and flashbang grenades.
STORY: Occupy Oakland Police Battle Leaves Scott Olsen Brain Damaged!
The confrontation reportedly began after protesters started a large bonfire in the middle of a downtown street.
PHOTOS: Police And Tear Gas Clash At Occupy Oakland
Protesters with cloth wrapped around their faces to protect them from the stench of the gas, marched through the area chanting, “Whose streets? Our streets!”
Police chief Howard Jordan said that between 30 and 40 people have been arrested and there are other reports that a man was shot with a rubber bullet.
It’s sad that a peaceful protest turned into violence by night’s end. For more on the Occupy movement, click here.
