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  Police Fire Wooden Bullets and Concussion Grenades at Peaceful Demonstrators Picketing Companies Profiting from the War  

City Officials, Anti-War Activists, Community Members Demand Police Accountability
April 7, 2003
Kenny Mostern, GPAC Press Contact

Oakland, CA ­ During a peaceful, anti-war community picket this morning attended by over five hundred people, police responded violently with wooden bullets, bean bag rounds and concussion grenades, injuring dozens of people. Many people were treated on site and at least two people, one longshoreman and one picketer, were taken to the hospital where they are being treated for injuries.

Nancy Nadel, Vice Mayor and Oakland City Council Member commented "According to my aid who was present at the port, police reaction was unprovoked and inappropriate."

The anti-war picket started at 6AM in front of APL and Stevedoring Services of America (SSA), and spotlighted the roll of privatization in post-war Iraq. Particularly the announcement of SSAıs recent contract to run the Iraqi port Umm Qasr has raised concerns that the Bush administration is more concerned with corporate profits then re-building Iraq.

"We wanted to send a strong message that there will be no business as usual for corporations profiting from this illegal war that threatens the lives of countless U.S. troops and Iraqis," said Oakland resident Sasha Wright. Ms. Wright, whose father and brother are longshoremen, continued, "The community picket line was pro-worker and anti-war. I am shocked and saddened that police would respond to a peaceful picket with violence."

The anti-war picket was symbolic in nature and rather than physically blocking workersı access was an invitation to workers to join in protesting corporations profiting from the war. Some longshoremen in keeping with a long tradition of solidarity and social justice on the Oakland docks decided not to cross the peace picket line.

Todayıs community picket line was part of a National Days of Action against the War culminating four days of action in which hundreds of vigils, demonstrations and actions occurred around the nation. Todayıs actions, included NY, DC, Austin TX as well as Belfast Northern Ireland. Direct Action to Stop the war is voicing opposition to this immoral, illegal war through spotlighting corporations that profit from it.

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