Battle for Occupy Oakland - Palo Alto PD Attack Indybay Reporter, 10/25/11: video & photos

by Dave Id

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 2:56AM

After the first massive police attack on the evening of October 25th, protesters marched through Oakland's newly-dubbed Uptown district before returning to 14th and Broadway. Upon their return, no unlawful assembly order was given as had been done the two previous times marchers assembled in the intersection adjacent to Oscar Grant Plaza that night. Instead, Palo Alto police who were stationed on Broadway near the Tully's coffee shop simply began to open-fire on protesters with what are known as pepperballs. Pepperballs are small round projectiles made of plastic that cause pain and physical damage upon impact but also burst open on any targeted persons, releasing a chokingly stinky and noxious white substance that smells something like tear gas and pepper spray combined. As this Indybay reporter was documenting someone else being shot repeatedly with pepperballs, Palo Alto police turned towards me and fired several shots in my direction, despite the fact that I held a camera in each hand and had my Indybay press pass visibly hanging around my neck. One pepperball hit me in the lower chest.

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As the video here begins, marchers are approaching the intersection of 14th & Broadway. After marchers arrive, one person seen to the right of the police line is placing a wooden stick into an orange safety cone on top of a public trash can. Palo Alto police repeatedly shoot that person with pepperballs, what sounds like at least six shots, and perhaps one rubber bullet in that a separate louder shot is heard as well. That person then throws the stick in the direction of police, hitting the metal barricade in front of them. Palo Alto police turn ninety degrees or more and begin shooting toward the center of the intersection. One pepperball strikes me in the lower chest. Immediately, I object to being shot and hold up my press pass to make it even more plain that I am there documenting events as a reporter. The resulting white splotch on my shirt was so toxic and sickening to the smell that I had to remove my outer shirt and throw it away as soon as I had moved out of range of Palo Alto police.

Battle for Occupy Oakland - Occupiers Undaunted by Massive Police Attacks, 10/25/11: video
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/11/02/18696643.php

Battle for Occupy Oakland - Occupiers Undaunted by Massive Police Attacks, 10/25/11: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/31/18696346.php

Battle for Occupy Oakland Post-Raid March, 10/25/11: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/31/18696301.php

Battle for Occupy Oakland - Rally at Main Library Against Raids, 10/25/11: photos & audio
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/29/18695957.php

Battle for Occupy Oakland - Oscar Grant Plaza Aftermath at Dawn, 10/25/11: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/28/18695785.php

Battle for Occupy Oakland Police Raid at Snow Park, 10/25/11: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/28/18695680.php

Battle for Occupy Oakland Moves to Downtown Streets, 10/25/11: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/28/18695658.php

Battle for Occupy Oakland Begins with Police Raid, 10/25/11: video
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/26/18695385.php

Battle for Occupy Oakland Begins with Police Raid, 10/25/11: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/26/18695333.php

Occupy Oakland Raid - Barricades and Police Arrival, 10/25/11: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/25/18695005.php

Oakland Police Gleeful Over Demolition of Occupy Oakland, 10/25/11: photos
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/25/18694945.php

For more information:

For more information: http://www.indybay.org/occupyoakland

§Screen shot from video of two Palo Alto police shooting at person(s) to their left

by Dave Id

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 2:56AM

http://www.indybay.org/occupyoakland

§Screen shot from one second before I was shot, not clear on which officer shot at me

by Dave Id

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 2:56AM

http://www.indybay.org/occupyoakland

§Image shows two angles of injury three hours after having been hit with pepperball

by Dave Id

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 2:56AM

The skin that was hit with the pepperball died and was replaced with a thick one-inch scab surrounded by purple bruising. One week later, the scabbed area has nearly healed and the bruising has turned to a light yellow.

http://www.indybay.org/occupyoakland

§Assortment of weapons used on people by OPD and mutual aid allied police depts

by Dave Id

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 2:56AM

I believe the round pink object is a pepperball.

[Photo by "Oscar Grant": http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2011/10/26/18695442.php#18695445]

http://www.indybay.org/occupyoakland

§Palo Alto police officer shooting in the direction I was in, although unsure of timing

by Dave Id

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 2:56AM

This photo could have been taken well after I was shot. It might be from the exact same time.

[Photo by Ali Winston, used with permission, original caption reads "A Palo Alto Police officer fires less-lethal rounds at a man in middle of 14th and Broadway": http://informant.kalwnews.org/2011/10/massive-protest-clashes-with-riot-police-in-oakland-gas-beanbags-flash-bang-grenades-thrown-at-crowd/]

http://www.indybay.org/occupyoakland

§Another image of shooting Palo Alto officer from previous photo

by Dave Id

Wed, Nov 2, 2011 2:56AM