
Honest, paywall-free news is rare. Please support our boldly independent journalism with a donation of any size.
Oakland, CA – October 30, 2011 – Grassroots people and political activists create a community of tents, music, children, food and other activity in Frank Ogawa Plaza in front of City Hall, which they've renamed Oscar Grant Plaza. They are preparing to organize a general strike for Wednesday, November 2.
Scott Hopkins is a professor at California State University East Bay, and has slept in the plaza for the past two nights. “I'm always trying to get my students more active, so this is kind of showing them by doing it. And it's also a personal commitment to what we're fighting for.” His union is preparing for a strike as well – by instructors at the CSUEB campus.

One man shows where he was hit by a rubber bullet by police when they tried to clear the plaza five days earlier. Children live and play in the camp, in an area just for them or among musicians and dancers in the evening.



Fundraiser Deadline: Missed
Truthout is one of only a few platforms for justice-oriented, grassroots journalism. Today, as political censorship from the right intensifies, we have no choice but to ask for your help.
We missed our fundraising deadline, but there’s still time to help us meet our basic operating expenses before the end of the month. If you can support Truthout with a one-time or monthly donation, you will make a significant impact on our work. Anything you can do makes a difference — we appreciate your support.