Oakland's police union has asked Mayor Jean Quan for more clarity about how officers should handle today's Occupy protest, after the mayor voiced support for the protesters and gave other city workers the day off to participate in the event.
In a statement titled, "An Open Letter to the Citizens of Oakland," the Oakland Police Officers' Association noted that Occupiers were able to return to an encampment outside City Hall a day after officers cleared the camp. The camp is now larger than it was before the raid with more than 300 people squatting in more than 100 tents.
Officers said they were also part of "the 99%" and added that the mayor's stance hasn't provided them clarity about handling the protests. "As your police officers, we are confused," the statement read.
The city is allowing employees to participate in the strike that Occupy Oakland has called, while all officers have been ordered to work.
"That's hundreds of city workers encouraged to take off work to participate in the protest against 'the establishment,' " said the union, which represents 645 officers. "But aren't the mayor and her administration part of the establishment they are paying city employees to protest? Is it the city's intention to have city employees on both sides of a skirmish line?"
