Mayor Jean Quan Apologizes to Occupy Oakland, Gets Booed Off Stage
Categories: Occupy Bay Area
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| Let's just say it will take magic to undo Quan's problems |
Quan, who was elected mayor just 11 months ago, took the stage at the group's general assembly meeting at about 10 p.m. last night and waited to speak to the crowd. But protesters chanted "go home!" until Quan took the hint and quietly slipped back into City Hall. She later delivered a written note apologizing to Occupy Oakland, according to news reports.
Quan really had no choice; her decision to let police raid the encampment where hundreds of protesters has been living in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street, has been heavily criticized across the nation. "I am deeply saddened by the outcome Tuesday. It was not what anyone hoped for, ultimately it was my responsibility, and I apologize for what happened," Quan said in her statement.
The violence all started shortly before 5 a.m. on Tuesday when police raided the Occupy Oakland camp, breaking down tents and arresting 79 people. Later that evening protesters marched through downtown, attempting to take back their camp in front of City Hall, which had been fenced off. Police fought back, tossing flashbang grenades and tear gas, and soon downtown Oakland looked like a war zone.
Some people were hurt, including Scott Olsen, 24, a veteran marine, who was critically injured by a police projectile. Quan also told protesters, who held a vigil for him last night, that she has visited with Olsen's family because she was "concerned about his recovery."
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