Politics & Government

Redlands/Loma Linda Stands in Solidarity with Occupy Riverside

The groups issues a statement in support of their fellow Occupiers.

Occupy Redlands released a statement regarding the events surounding the arrest of 11 Occupy Riverside members. Riverside Police made the arrests sometime after 3 p.m. Sunday during a raid of the Riverside encampment. Authorities attempted to shut down the camp.

Committee members with Occupy Redlands were there Sunday and witnessed the events.

Statement of Solidarity with Occupy Riverside

Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Today, November 6, 2011, in downtown Riverside adjacent to the Riverside Occupy encampment, a contingent from Occupy Redlands took part in a discussion with members from Occupy movements in Riverside, Fontana and Victorville to form a joint committee that will propose ideas for combined group demonstrations and protests between the various Occupy groups in the Inland Empire.

"As the meeting came to an end at about 3 p.m., Riverside Police officers, including over a dozen from the Special Weapons and Tactics unit, descended on the Riverside Occupation encampment and began to remove their shelters. 

Find out what's happening in Redlands-Loma Lindawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Occupy protesters formed a human chain around their community kitchen to peacefully and non-violently exercised their First Amendment right of peaceably assembling and petitioning the Government for a redress of grievances.

"The Occupiers stood, arms locked together, in solidarity, as the police, many outfitted in riot gear, moved in to make the arrests.

"The crowd chanted 'Shame' and the 'World is watching' as Riverside Police forcibly separated the interlinked protestors, who remained non-violent, and placed them under arrest.

"While there was no press present as the police made arrests, onlookers, including Occupy Redlands members, utilized cell phones and cameras to document the actions of the Riverside Police Department.

"Occupy Redlands believes in the power of nonviolence and that dissent is often the most patriotic act a citizen may perform.

"As such, we stand in solidarity with Occupy Riverside and condemn the actions that occurred today to silence their ability to exercise their First Amendment Rights."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Redlands-Loma Linda