In solidarity with the call by Occupy Oakland for a general strike, which was in response to the police violence in Oakland that resulted in the serious injury of Scott Olsen and others, Occupy Santa Cruz members called for a strike to be held in Santa Cruz on November 2nd. Suggestions to avoid work and or/school were made, and community members gathered at the county courthouse steps for a march and demonstration downtown.

Approximately 50 people participated in the march, which first made visits to Bank of America and Wells Fargo, then continued downtown to Friendship Garden in front of Jamba Juice and the Flatiron building, where a rally was held that featured an open mic segment. Among a variety of topics, people spoke about what was going on at Occupy Oakland, and they spoke about Scott Olsen and paid tribute to him, including chanting repeatedly in unison, "I am Scott Olsen, I am Scott Olsen." On the way back to the county courthouse occupation location, the demonstrators stopped again at Bank of America. Both that bank and Wells Fargo still had security guards in place that locked the doors when protesters arrived.

Read more and view photos | Evolution of the Camp at Occupy Santa Cruz: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

See also: Three Harassment Tickets by an SCPD Officer || Starhawk at Occupy Santa Cruz || Democratic Party Statement of Support--But Notice the Lack of Local Specifics || Growing Police Threats and Defensive Response at Occupy Santa Cruz || Arrest for no ID || Previous coverage: Occupy Santa Cruz Marches on Banks