I have been drawing from Occupy Oakland since October 10, when the first tents were pitched in Frank Ogawa, “Oscar Grant” Plaza in front of City Hall. From the tents and the tear gas to the foreclosure defense and port shutdowns, this five-part series explores a visual history of Oakland’s occupation, consistently called the “most militant” branch of the Occupy movement in the country.
From the beginning, the Oakland Commune set Oakland’s occupation apart in its acceptance of the local homeless population.The camp was consistently referred to as not only a political meeting ground and organizing space, but also a replacement for the city’s failures in its everyday existence. Some people were living there to make a point, but others were living there because they needed to, and all were welcomed – until the camp was cleared in the early morning of October 25.
– Susie Cagle
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