Oakland backs off increasing Occupy enforcement

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 2/8/12 | Carolyn Jones

[SmithL]

Oakland's City Council, amid a rowdy crowd of protesters, narrowly backed off a resolution Tuesday that would have beefed up law enforcement at Occupy protests.

The resolution, which lacked the five votes necessary to pass, would have increased police enforcement of laws against blocking streets and assembling without a permit. The proposal came in the wake of a Jan. 28 protest downtown in which 400 people were arrested.

Even as they defeated the resolution, council members expressed anger at the tactics of Occupy Oakland during the meeting, particularly group members' persistent shouting.

"I am disgusted with the complete lack of respect you have shown," said City Councilwoman Pat Kernighan. "You are hypocrites when it comes to free speech. I have lost all respect for you."

City Councilwoman Desley Brooks, who early in the movement supported Occupy Oakland, was even more harsh.

"The only thing I can see with this movement is an ever-moving target," she said. "You talk about a movement, but it doesn't go beyond you."

[SmithL]

Even as they defeated the resolution, council members expressed anger at the tactics of Occupy Oakland

These elected enablers must be hoping that Occupy will see the error of their ways and start behaving better on their own.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Another example of adults not being able to control their kids.

[headstamp 2]

+1 for mob rule.

[hattend]

What a chicken shi’ite city government.

[NormsRevenge]

They won’t see the light until their cars are torched .. with them in them.. and even then.. you can’t legislate stupid .. but you can confine it.. if you have a mind to do it.