Free Chris - Interviews with Occupy Legal's Kate Hallinan and Occupy Oakland's Laleh, 5/25/12: video

Chris Morland of Occupy Oakland's Tactical Action Committee has been repeatedly targeted by police for his outspokenness on issues of economic injustices. He has helped to organize numerous actions around foreclosures and homelessness in Oakland. At a "community meeting" called by Mayor Jean Quan and the Oakland Police Department to address the recent police murder of high school senior Alan Blueford, Chris was equally outspoken as he confronted police chief Howard Jordan about the killing. Oakland police did not arrest Chris at the Acts Full Gospel Church where the public meeting was held, choosing instead to wait until after Chris had left the church, swarming in on him at the nearby BART station. Chris was charged with felony battery on a police officer, amongst other charges, sent to Santa Rita, and his bail was set at over $100,000. Today, the District Attorney's office validated that the charges had no merit by declining to pursue anything other than a misdemeanor Disturbing the Peace charge. Chris' bail then became just $2500, which solidarity activists have already posted. Chris is expected to be released by some time late tonight. (Interview video below.)