Oakland LGBT Rally in Front of Courthouse to Respond to Hate Crimes Charges

OAKLAND LGBTQ WILL RALLY TODAY IN FRONT OF COURTHOUSE TO RESPOND TO HATE CRIMES CHARGES
Community Members Respond to Charges of Gay Slurs by Occupy Oakland Protestors

OAKLAND, CA - March 12, 2012 - LGBTQ demonstrators will rally in front of the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse today at noon in response to hate crimes charges leveled at three Occupy Oakland protestors for language based on perceived sexuality. The event, hosted by Oakland Occupy Patriarchy, will demonstrate against the divisive nature of the charges, for which the police have not brought forth any evidence, but have issued a press statement condemning the three in the public eye.

Oakland Occupy Patriarchy (OOP) is a working group of women, LGBTQ and allies formed by Occupy Oakland participants, but meets outside of Occupy Oakland. They have organized actions such as a day long occupation of the park and lot at 19th and Telegraph with workshops, activities for children and performances by musicians and poets.

OOP has been highly critical of the charges for hate speech and robbery, and has a direct written response on their website, http://oaklandoccupypatriarchy.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/pigs-are-no-friends-of-ours/. Today's action will feature LGBTQ community members speaking out against the actions of the Oakland Police Department.

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For more information, or to schedule an interview with a representative from Oakland Occupy Patriarchy, please email doulauren [at] gmail.com.