Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Tensions Between Occupiers and Police Intensify In U.S. Cities

Tensions between Occupiers and police intensified over the weekend in Portland, Oakland, Denver, and other U.S. cities as municipalities stepped up their efforts to remove the protesters from city property. Several officers were assaulted by protesters during the incidents.

November 14, 2011
Tensions Between Occupiers and Police Intensify In U.S. Cities

Photo: Love Will Form All Things

2 min to read


Tensions between Occupiers and police intensified over the weekend in Portland, Oakland, Denver, and other U.S. cities as municipalities stepped up their efforts to remove the protesters from city property.

In several of the incidents, officers were assaulted by protesters.

Ad Loading...

In San Francisco, two officers were attacked in separate incidents at The Embarcadero and Broadway where San Francisco Police were attempting to hold the line against protesters. In the first incident, a female attacked an officer with an razor blade attached to a pencil-like object. In the second attack, a male demonstrator grabbed an officer's radio from his duty belt. The officer's uniform was torn, and he suffered an injury to his cheek while attempting to retrieve the radio, reports the San Francisco Examiner.

In Denver, three Occupy protesters were arrested Sunday after scuffling with police. A Denver Police officer and Colorado state trooper were injured during a shoving match when the officers attempted to move a table being used to serve food, reports the Denver Post.

Oakland again showed its combustible potential, as Oakland Police again cleared the tent city outside of City Hall. Hundreds of officers converged before dawn on the encampment at 14th Street and Broadway to arrest 32 Occupiers, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

Over the weekend, an activist with Berkeley CopWatch posted a video showing Oakland Police Officer Fred Shavies and another officer attending Occupy protests in plainclothes. The video, which went viral, included a soundtrack with audio from 2003 of acting chief Howard Jordan telling the police board of review that the agency infiltrated an anti-war group at that time.

To respond to claims that he was infiltrating the group, Officer Shavies agreed to a video interview with a photographer to respond to the CopWatch video. In the interview, Officer Shavies said he sympathizes with protesters, reports the New York Times.

Ad Loading...

The weekend's high arrest count came in Portland, Ore., where 51 protesters were taken into custody. Officers decked out in riot gear didn't use tear gas or rubber bullets, reports The Oregonian.

Salt Lake City Police on Saturday cleared the Occupy SLC campsite at Pioneer Park, and Occupiers vacated the park nonviolently. Several were handcuffed, reports the Salt Lake Tribune.

More Patrol

Close-up of a slim black Streamlight Wedge SL flashlight resting on an olive tactical vest with a black-and-gray American flag patch, its LED illuminated to showcase the compact everyday carry design.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJune 25, 2026

POLICE Product Test: Streamlight Wedge SL

The Streamlight Wedge SL is a high-performance light for inspection or administrative tasks that features USB-C charging and an output up to 500 lumens in a compact package.

Read More →
Graphic recognizing Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose (CA) Police Department as Officer of the Month for May 2026, featuring his uniformed portrait beside a badge-and-rose emblem.
PatrolJune 25, 2026

NLEOMF Officer of the Month Saved Child from Burning Vehicle

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund named Officer Michael Jaycox of the San Jose Police Department (California) as the Officer of the Month for May 2026. Read more about Jaycox’s heroic actions.

Read More →
Promotional image for Garmont Tactical’s Contact Collection featuring black tactical boots displayed in front of a police vehicle with flashing red and blue emergency lights. Text announces the new collection and notes it is now available.
PatrolJune 24, 2026

Garmont Tactical Introduces the Contact Collection for LE

Garmont Tactical has launched its Contact Collection, a new lineup of law-enforcement duty boots featuring 4-inch and 6-inch options, including waterproof models.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic celebrating 1,613 Folds of Honor graduates, featuring graduation books, a diploma, a mortarboard cap, the Folds of Honor logo, and an inset photo of a graduate standing in front of a campus building.
PatrolJune 11, 2026

Folds of Honor Celebrates Graduation Season as 1,613 Military and First Responder Family Scholars Earn Their Degrees

Every Folds of Honor scholar graduating in the Class of 2026 carries a story starting with sacrifice. Folds of Honor ensures it doesn’t end there. Since 2007, Folds of Honor has awarded nearly 73,000 educational scholarships to military and first responder families.

Read More →
Graphic for a POLICE Magazine article on Tennessee’s new deadly force law, featuring Lady Justice, handcuffs, a Tennessee map with Nashville highlighted, and the headline “Impact of New Deadly Force Law.”
Patrolby David StephensJune 4, 2026

Why Tennessee’s New Deadly Force Law Matters Beyond Tennessee

Tennessee’s new deadly force law is more limited than many may realize. Effective July 1, 2026, the law applies to a person who is not engaged in conduct that would constitute a felony or a Class A misdemeanor and who is in a place where the person lawfully resides. But it could have far-reaching influence.

Read More →
Graphic comparing EMS transport options: an ambulance responding with emergency lights versus police officers assisting an injured person into a patrol vehicle. Headline asks whether to wait for EMS or transport immediately, noting the decision depends on the situation.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamJune 2, 2026

When Do You Transport a Wounded Officer by Police Vehicle?

Time-sensitive injuries like penetrating trauma mean a wounded officer needs to reach a trauma center as soon as possible, and in some cases, that means transporting by police vehicle rather than waiting for EMS. What are the factors to consider in making that transport decision?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Man in a blue blazer lifting his shirt to reveal a concealed handgun in a waistband holster while standing outdoors.
SponsoredJune 1, 2026

Safariland Solis Rethinks Concealable Duty

What if Level I retention didn’t require a full duty rig? Safariland’s Solis delivers trusted ALS security in a streamlined OWB platform built for administrative and plainclothes professionals who need protection without the bulk.

Read More →
Graphic titled “5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights” featuring a compact Streamlight flashlight attached to tactical gear. Police Law Enforcement Solutions branding appears in the lower corner against a dark, dramatic background.
PatrolMay 21, 2026

5 Things to Know When Buying Backup Lights for Patrol Use

What is the value of a backup light, and what do you need to consider when selecting one? These smaller lights are invaluable as a secondary or special-purpose light and can be easily carried in a pocket or clipped to MOLLE gear, a key chain, shirt, or a vest.

Read More →
graphic honoring fallen law enforcement officers featuring a uniformed officer holding a folded American flag, with bold text reading “2026 Roll Call of Heroes” and “363 Fallen Officers Honored,” alongside the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund logo.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

363 Fallen Officers Honored During National Police Week

In case you missed NELOMF’s annual Candlelight Vigil, here are all 363 names of the fallen officers whose names were added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial this year.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic honoring New York City Police Department officers as “Officer of the Month” for March 2026. The image features portraits of Chief Aaron Edwards and Sergeant Luis Navarro alongside department and recognition text.
PatrolMay 14, 2026

NYPD Officers Who Responded Quickly During IED Incident Recognized as NLEOMF Officers of the Month

Chief Aaron Edwards and Sgt. Luis Navarro were recognized by NLEOMF as Officers of the Month for their response during an IED incident and their actions that helped prevent harm to the public.

Read More →