Major Police stadoff with Occupy SF

Police, many in riot gear, surrounded the plaza during General Assembly; eventually, the entire Plaza was surrounded, then the roads cut off. By about 7:30 PM, police surrounded the bocce ball courts. All in the area were detained. Another unit surrounded the perimeter of the courts - with their backs to the first unit - blocking everyone outside of the courts for entering.

Negotiations went on for a long time, police "offering" to let go with a type of warning Occupiers who leave and agree not to come back. That didn't work. A couple of isolated police riot scuffles broke out, I don't know which side provoked the attacks. One woman reportedly was clubbed in the face and had her face smashed to the ground, a few people may have been arrested. Legal observers in green hats were present.

Occupy held its ground, repeatedly stating through amplification that they are not violent, and do not accept that the police can stop people from congregating in a public park for a group conversation, the most basic right to assemble; or to physically separate Occupiers into two groups. A decision was announced to proceed with a General Assembly on the South side of the park. On Market at that time, a police motorcycle troup rolled in. A giant tactical unit van was parked. Corporate TV reporters were broadcasting stupid things live on Market and in the Plaza. Then, suddenly, police turned around and left a little after 9PM.

Occupy continued the general assembly. Some want to set up tents again. The strong support presence was not as large as needed to sustain the activities against this type of action. It may well not be over for tonight, because the police buildup on the first block of Market with the shut-down roads remained as I left.

So much for this talk from Mayor Ed Lee and his mouthpieces through the press that the City supports the right to political action, only opposes the "encampment" on health and public safety in that area.