Tens of thousands of people streamed into Oakland on November 2nd to answer the call for a general strike, the week after police violently attacked the Occupy movement at city hall with tear gas, flash grenades and bean bag bullets. The attempt to evict the camp failed, but Scott Olsen, an Iraq war veteran and Occupy participant, was stricken by a tear gas canister and remains hospitalized. The protesters called for a general strike in response to the police violence, as well as the overall demands of the Occupy movement. They are seeking an end to economic inequality and to stop the balancing of the economic crisis on the backs of working people. There were rallies and marches throughout the day, halting business as usual in the downtown district. Banks and stores remained shuttered. From there, the protesters moved to the port of Oakland to shut it down with a massive human blockade. This was also a success. "At this time maritime operations are effectively shut down", declared the Port of Oakland in a statement to the press. Labor had a strong presence, including the SEIU, AFT, Teamsters, NUHW, Iron Workers, and other trade unions. Said one city worker, "I'm here because they cut, cut, and cut our pay and benefits but the administrators keep pulling down $300,000 a year." Alex, a recent Berkeley graduate said, "Today is a great start towards a movement that can fight the evictions happening all over Oakland." These pictures tell some of the story of November 2 in Oakland.
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