Occupy Oakland Veterans Against War 11-11-11

Mike Wong, Veterans for Peace, San Francisco, said that four vets have been injured by police without provocation. When arrested, they did not use their combat skills but used non-violence. Wong said three of the four vets sustained severe injuries. He called on Oakland Mayor Jean Quan to "relieve police chief Jordan of his duties."

Wong said that, "Fighting each other is an insane path to mutual self-destruction. We want to build a new world built on peace and justice for all."

Vets for Peace and IVAW announced the establishment of a Veterans' tent at Occupy Oakland, even as the City has given the group and 'eviction notice.'

A statement from Scott Olsen was read, saying he had made significant progress and has been discharged from the hospital! He said it was hard to realize he had wasted seven years fighting for the one percent and urged people to continue to protest peacefully.

Veterans pointed out that Occupy Oakland is feeding and sheltering the poor and homeless, including veterans, while the City is not.

‎Oscar Grant's Uncle Bobby up against police brutality on behalf of his sister Wanda Johnson, whose son was shot and killed by BART policeman Johanes Meserle Jan, 1, 2009 at the Fruitvale BART station. Uncle Bobby served in the U.S. Army from 1976 to 1980.

Navy Vet and retired AFSCME member, George Johnson, said that, "For 18 people the war ended today; every day 30 vets attempt suicide and 18 succeed."

A Vet made the statement that there is no peace without justice and that as long as those who are supposed to regulate Wall Street then take lucrative jobs in those very Wall Street firms, there is no justice and no peace. It's the one percent and the corrupt financial institutions who the military and police really protect and serve.

Veterans led a peaceful march of about 300 people through downtown Oakland streets, marching to the police administrative building on Broadway. Vets and supporters chanted, "Stop beating veterans; stop beating everyone." Four Vets have been injured by police and sheriffs who responded to peaceful assemblies and protests, three of them severely.

A group of five Oakland Police Officers met the marchers, and listened as veterans urged them to not beat Vets or other protesters. They noted that it is illegal to follow an illegal order. Vets told the OPD officers to resist orders to evict the camp and harm protesters. The OPD officers listened to (or ignored?) the demands of the Vets for Peace. Some people reminded them that they too are part of the 99 percent and shouldn't be working for the one percent.