Occupy Oakland: As injured Iraq vet recovers, occupiers promise to 'shut the city down'

[Playinghardball]

Source: the Christian Monitor

Scott Olsen, a former U.S. Marine struck in the head during Wall Street protests on Tuesday night, had been upgraded from critical to fair condition overnight.

Olsen's injury has become a rallying cry for the Occupy Wall Street movement nationwide, and Oakland organizers said they would stage a general strike over what a spokeswoman called the "brutal and vicious" treatment of protesters, including the young Iraq war veteran.

At the downtown plaza where he was hurt, several hundred supporters turned out Thursday night for a candlelight vigil in which fellow activists from a group called Iraq War Veterans for Peace addressed the crowd. One drew loud cheers when he said the police chief or mayor should resign.

Olsen "responded with a very large smile'' to a visit from his parents, Highland General Hospital spokesman Warren Lyons said at a late-afternoon press conference on Thursday.

"He's able to understand what's going on. He's able to write and hear, but has a little difficulty with his speech,'' Lyons said.

More at: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2011/1028/Occupy-Oakland-As-injured-Iraq-vet-recovers-occupiers-promise-to-shut-the-city-down

[1Smart_Fellow]

1. OpEd News: Occupy, The 'Battles Of Oakland', And The Face Of US Police Abuse

We have seen the current 'Battle of Oakland', but this wasn't the first such 'battle' the City's police have waged on peaceful protesters, 2003 anti-war protesters facing profound abuse. In a democratic society, one would hope it's 'a crime' if those exercising their constitutionally guaranteed right to dissent become targeted as 'the enemy', effective 'war' waged upon them.

Occupy, The 'Battles Of Oakland', And The Face Of US Police Abuse
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Occupy-The-Battles-Of-Oa-by-Ritt-Goldstein-111027-569.html

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. The world supports #OccupyOakland!

[sabrina 1]

3. That is a beautiful photo.

I am so glad he is getting better. I read today that he still cannot speak because the weapon hit him on the side of his head that effects speech, but that it was most likely temporary.

I hope he will be back on his feet and able to see how respected he is all over the world. There was something about him that touched a lot of people, his standing between the police and the people wearing his 'Peace' shirt, with the white dove on the front. The contrast between him and the cowardly act that could have killed him, followed by another cowardly act to prevent those who went to help him, from doing so.