Charges Dropped Against Many Occupy Protesters Arrested In Oakland
OAKLAND (KCBS) – Charges were dropped against many of the more than 400 people who were arrested on Saturday during a daylong Occupy Oakland protest.
A spokesperson for the Alameda County District Attorney's Office said that eight protesters are facing misdemeanor charges while four are accused of felonies.
Those include allegations of interfering with or assaulting a police officer.
KCBS' Chris Filippi Reports:
The other protesters are being released but could be charged at a later date due to continuing investigations.
One Occupy protester who was at the courthouse on Tuesday said the arrests were unnecessary.
"I think it's crazy," she said. "I think it just shows another side to our justice system that we've been seeing for hundreds of years. It hasn't changed a lot and I think it's unjust.
Another protester was set free but said he has to return to court next month.
"The funny thing about all these arrests is that I think they are doing it to try to discourage people from being a part of this movement," he said. "But it's really galvanized and radicalized people."
Related: CBS 5 Poll: Occupy Movement Losing Bay Area Support
The protesters charged with felonies were also ordered to stay at least 100 yards away from Oakland City Hall.
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
