People of Faith Condemn Police Violence Against Occupy Protesters
Yesterday morning Oakland, CA, police raided the city’s two Occupy encampments, using tear gas and riot gear to drive thousands of people out of the parks.
Last night, as protesters attempted to retake the park, police escalated their attacks, firing flash grenades and rubber bullets into crowds that included children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
One protester, an Iraq war veteran named Scott Olsen, was even struck in the head by a tear gas cannister and remains in critical condition in the hospital.
While last night’s confrontation represented a new level of violence, police crackdowns have been happening across the country with cities arresting hundreds of of nonviolent protesters in Chicago, Atlanta, and Albuquerque. Occupiers in Baltimore, San Francisco, and other cities are also being threatened with eviction.
When a peaceful movement for social and economic justice is met with violence and repression, people of faith have a moral obligation to speak up.
Faithful America has launched a petition to do just that, calling on local authorities to respect the protestors’ peaceful freedom of expression and refrain from violent attacks:
As people of faith, we condemn all violence and repression targeting the Occupy Wall Street movement. In communities across America, occupiers are providing a peaceful witness against corporate greed and economic injustice. We call on local authorities to respect their freedom of expression.
You can sign the petition here.