Occupy Oakland Members Claim Police Abuse During Saturday Protest
OAKLAND (KCBS) – Occupy Oakland members are claiming police abuse in connection with protests that took place on Saturday.
Members of the group stood on the steps of Oakland City Hall on Wednesday, making claims of excessive force and baseless arrests during Saturday's demonstrations.
"We have reports of a man who had a baton to his face, causing his teeth to be knocked out," said Carey Lamprecht, a volunteer with the National Lawyers Guild.
KCBS' Margie Shafer Reports:
Occupy Oakland member Shake Anderson defended the actions of some members, who burned a City Hall flag and destroyed an art exhibit in the building.
"We've agreed upon peace and diversity of tactics, and diversity of tactics is just that," said Anderson.
But Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan said things are getting out of hand.
"The events have become more combative. There has been more anarchy," Jordan said. "We're not shying away from (the abuse) allegations. We're going to investigate them and find out what happened."
He said that police tactics are dictated by protester action.
More than 400 people were arrested during the day of protest. Eight have been charged with misdemeanors and four with felonies.
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