Sunrise Vigil at Oakland Federal Building

Sunrise Vigil at Oakland Federal Building.
Oakland
3/20/03
Marc Buchalter

Workers arriving at the Ronald Dellums Federal Building in Oakland this morning were greeted by more than 50 demonstrators expressing their opposition to the war against Iraq.
The demonstrators started arriving about 7:00 AM.

At 7:30 the doors were blocked briefly by John Plotz, a resident of Monte Rio who works in Oakland. Mr Plotz said that He decided to block the doors of the Federal building because, “It is the nearest symbol our Government which is committing a horrendous crime. It is heading toward imperialism and I won’t go down that road.” He continued, Demonstrating is fine, but I felt I had to do more.”
Federal Police arrested Mr. Plotz who cooperated with police and was led offf in handcuffs.

There were several groups represented amongst the demonstrators including, Code Pink Woman For Peace; Peoples Non-Violent Response Coalition, The Coalition to demilitarize the University of California, Uhru Movement, Kehilla Community Synagog, Lake Merit Neighbors Organized for Peace, and the Dominican Order.

Sister Stella Goodpasture from the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose, stated that the order of Dominican, an Roman Catholic congregation represented in 150 countries are opposed to the war.

Three to four Oakland Police officers observed the demonstration from across the street. The Police left by 8:30. No other arrests were observed.