Redlands Occupiers Stand in Solidarity With Oakland Protesters

More than 400 miles away from the tension filled Occupy Camp in Oakland, about 20 members of Occupy Redlands met in the cold and dark of Smiley Park to discuss future plans.

They began their Wednesday night general assembly meeting with a moment of silence.

“In Oakland, they had a lot of police brutality and some crazy things happen,” said Kent Marten, Occupy Redlands committee member.

He described the wounding of Scott Olsen, 24, a former U.S. Marine who was struck in the head with an unknown object during the Oakland demonstration.

Olsen has been hospitalized in critical condition, but “I just think it would be good to have a moment of silence, ” Marten told the group.

The violence that erupted in Oakland has caused a stir among the Occupy Movements throughout the country. According to reports, on Tuesday protesters were throwing rocks and bottles at officers, who pushed to clear the camp erected near city hall.

Redlands members have also discussed “occupying” a Redlands park or area. But the group is taking a more practical approach. Working with the Redlands Police Department, committee members said they have learned there is no overnight camping allowed in parks. But the group does have the option of applying for a waiver from the Quality of Life Department.

On Wednesday, committee members said they were not sure an actual occupation within the city would have the kind of impact of those in the bigger cities such as San Diego and Los Angeles.

“In Redlands we don’t want to offend anybody,” Marten said. “You want to be good neighbors. We want to respectful of all the people in this community because it is very residential.”

“Although civil disobedience has been the hallmark of the movement in a way, claiming amendment rights, we’re really concerned about this community. One of the most important things about this movement here is about making sure this community thrives.”

There will be an Occupy Inland Empire, committee members told the crowd. The movements in the area are communicating and working on something that will include as many of the region’s Occupy members.

“Somebody asked the question when are we going to occupy the Inland Empire,” said Sean McDuffee, a committee member. “There’ve been some ideas kicked around … for a central occupation, maybe somewhere in San Bernardino or Riverside.”

Discussions include allowing each Occupy group to continue some of their own activities, McDuffee said.