Peace

Dear Oakland City Council Member Libby Schaaf,

I am writing to register my strong objection to your position that Occupy Oakland should be “evicted” through police action. A police action to remove this encampment will create huge cost and probable further damage to property and possible harm to residents and police. The Occupy movement and encampment includes: families with children, seniors, people with physical and mental disabilities and a huge diversity of participants.

The first police “eviction” resulted in an increased occupation, escalating actions and the attraction to Oakland of groups and individuals who seek conflict and confrontation. The vast majority of the Occupy movement is peaceful and wants to avoid conflict: a small minority is encouraging conflict; you should work with the majority and not be goaded by a minority into escalating conflict and harm to Oakland. The Occupy movement is gaining in numbers and constant attack on an encampment which has become symbolic of police brutality around the nation and world will only further polarize a situation which is just now calming.

The problems you find so objectionable in front of City Hall are considered “nuisance” problems when neighbors bring them to your office’s attention, and they are very often ignored, by you and OPD. Why you are now filled with righteous anger and urgency to act, however unwisely, I do not understand.

I respectfully register my objection to a “police eviction” of the occupy Oakland encampment because it will result in increased violence, increased cost, increased property damage and possible loss of human life. I also feel it will likely be unsuccessful and result in increased occupation of Oakland by activists and an increase in polarization and mistrust between Oakland residents, Oakland Police and thousands of young and old people who want an opportunity to participate in a world-wide social movement. Oaklander’s should have the same rights and freedoms as other Americans, and you as a public official should protect out rights as well as our property.

Emailed to Libby Schaaf and posted to Dimond Neighborhood List and Oakland Public School Parent List Thursday 11/10/11