Protesters in California pledge to replace camp

D.C. police arrest 11 at ex-homeless shelter

11/20/2011
BLADE NEWS SERVICES

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Anti-Wall Street demonstrators rallied in Oakland Saturday and vowed to set up a new encampment to replace one dismantled by police, while District of Columbia police arrested 11 protesters in a city-owned building that was being occupied by a group inspired by Occupy D.C.

In Oakland, hundreds of protesters chanting, "We are the 99 percent," marched down the streets with drums beating and trumpets blaring.

The protesters said they were eyeing a park three blocks from Frank Ogawa Plaza, the site of their former encampment, and planned to take it over Saturday night in a move that could set the stage for a showdown with police.

Previous unrest surrounding the Oakland encampment helped rally support nationwide for Occupy Wall Street, a movement that began in New York in September to protest economic inequality and excesses of the financial system.

Oakland police said they have a "nonconfrontational strategy" for preventing a new campsite from being established.

No details were provided.

Oakland protesters also announced plans to shut down all West Coast ports on Dec. 12 in coordination with like-minded protesters in Los Angeles.

In the nation's capital, supporters of the protesters cheered as officers led demonstrators outside in handcuffs and into two police vans.

The group Free Franklin began occupying the four-story Franklin School on Saturday, protesting the lack of housing for homeless people.

The building was a homeless shelter until 2008.

Meanwhile, officials at the University of California, Davis, said the university will investigate video footage that appeared to show campus police using pepper spray against seated student protesters at close range.

Students at Davis had set up an encampment this month as part of the nationwide Occupy movement.