Police Tear Down Tents at Occupy Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Riot-clad law enforcement officers cleared out Oakland's weeks-old anti-Wall Street encampment just before dawn Monday, arresting Occupy demonstrators and removing tents from a downtown plaza after issuing several warnings over the weekend.

Protesters appeared to put up little resistance and officers could be seen calmly leading some demonstrators away in plastic handcuffs. Warnings from authorities had been similar to those issued before officers used tear gas and bean bag projectiles to clear the encampment on Oct. 25.

Police made more than 20 arrests during Monday's raid, Mayor Jean Quan said.

After officers blocked off the streets surrounding Frank Ogawa Plaza, some demonstrators gathered near the barricades and vowed to return.

"I don't see how they're going to disperse us," 30-year-old Ohad Meyer said. "There are thousands of people who are going to come back."

The action came a day after police drove hundreds of anti-Wall Street demonstrators from weeks-old encampments in Portland, arresting more than 50 people.

Oakland officials stepped up calls for an end to their city's encampment after a man was shot and killed Thursday near the plaza. Police issued a fourth cease and desist order Sunday night telling demonstrators they couldn't camp there.

Quan had allowed protesters to reclaim the disbanded site after facing criticism following the Oct. 25 raid. The camp grew substantially afterward, although city officials said on Sunday the number of tents has dropped by about 30 to 150 since Nov. 8.

"We really tried to make this a safe and peaceful day," Quan told The Associated Press after the tents were taken down Monday. "Even though there are those who disagree with my decision, we hope it is peaceful. We need them to honor and respect our city and keep it safe."

One protester captured Quan touring the raided encampment later in the morning, and he voiced his displeasure:

[Content warning: contains graphic language]

Protesters would be allowed to return to the plaza after the tents were cleared out, but they wouldn't be allowed to spend the night, the mayor said.

"We've been consistent that they can use it as a free speech location," she said. "They can gather tonight, but no camping is allowed."

On Sunday, friends confirmed that an Iraq War veteran who was injured in the Oct. 25 raid, Scott Olsen, has been released from the hospital. Olsen, who suffered a skull fracture, became a rallying point for protesters nationwide.

Dottie Guy of Iraq Veterans Against the War said Sunday Olsen was released last week. He can now read and write, but still has trouble talking, she added.

Officials across the country have been urging an end to similar gatherings in the wake of three deaths in different cities, including two deaths by gunfire.

Demands for Oakland protesters to pack up increased after a man was shot and killed Thursday near the encampment site.

Protesters had said that there was no connection between the shooting and the camp. But police Sunday night identified the slain man as 25-year-old Kayode Ola Foster of Oakland, saying his family confirmed he had been staying at the plaza.

Police officer Johnna Watson said witnesses have told police that one of two suspects in the shooting had also been a frequent resident at the plaza. The suspects' names haven't been released.

Investigators suspect that the shooting resulted from a fight between two groups of men.

This post has been updated.