Oakland Chief of Police

I've got video tapes of a number of news reports with Chief Word's comments. He was also quoted in newspaper reports. His comments are enlightening. He indicates that it was not any threat of violence from us protestors that caused the police to act, but rather the fact that our action was being completely successful in shutting down APL and SSA at the Port. He couldn't allow our action to be an example others might emulate. Instead he had his force send another message - dare to protest at the Port of Oakland and we'll open fire on you.

Yes, I heard that. He was saying it is just a gentle push, like a bee sting. You would not look even remotely like that from a bee sting unless you were allergic and going into anaphylactic shock and about to die. He was definitely saying that what they had done was unavoidable, and not particularly violent.
I'd really like to see them use these methods against the far more widespread law breakers like people speeding in their cars near school zones (they are risking children) or loud parties where the people don't disperse within 60 seconds.

Chief Word also justified shooting into the crowd by saying, "It was already in the hundreds and would've grown to thousands, by then Police could not overtake them." There some words of inspiration for you.

He also claimed OPD could not afford to peacefully control the crowd, not having the budget of the SFPD. I guess hitting people with batons is more expensive than firing bags of steel pellets and concussion granades.

The OPD has now adopted the Bush doctorine of attacking innocent people because there is a risk that they may commit a crime?

They have been doing this for years in poor communities; if you are not a rich "hill liberal" in Oakland the OPD assumes you are guilty until proven innocent (there was very little coverage of those seriously injured by wooden police bullets during the police riot after the Raiders loss). The main difference now is that the victims at this protest are wealthy liberals and the media cant hide as easily behind its usual racist defence of the police.

Im sure Jerry Brown will soon apologize with some statement about how he didnt realize the protesters had access to the media and lawyers. But he should not be let off the hook since the result will merely be a message to the police to not mess with people who may have connections (since the city of Oakland defends brutality and even murder by the OPD when the victims and families of the victimes dont have the resources to complain.)

richard word on tv looked extremely tense, like he didn't even take a breath throughout the whole interview. i guess lying to the media must be pretty nervewracking, eh?