Oakland police clashed repeatedly with Occupy activists Tuesday, firing tear gas canisters and flash-bang grenades at several hundred protesters near City Hall in brief but volatile skirmishes that escalated as quickly as they dissipated.
Some protesters shoved against police lines with black shields bearing an “A” for anarchy. Some threw objects at officers, surrounded police cars and pounded on them. In one case, a protester dressed in black threatened an officer with a pole.
But many protesters remained peaceful, throwing flowers at the cops’ feet or marching peacefully with children in the Fruitvale District, vowing to avoid the violence downtown.
The daylong series of events on May Day was held throughout parts of Oakland, San Francisco and the rest of the Bay Area by a wide range of protest groups, including Occupy, to honor International Workers’ Day and denounce economic inequities.
In Oakland in particular, the mood was tense from the beginning, despite the range of events that went from peaceful rallies to confrontations and vandalism.
“The tempo of the crowd was a lot more assertive, a lot more aggressive” than in past demonstrations involving Occupy groups, Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan said in an afternoon press conference. He said the mood was so volatile that by 9 a.m. he had called for mutual aid from about a half-dozen area law enforcement agencies.
how i celebrate Beltane whilst in lockdown for 2020
I started of the morning by making Gluten-free pancakes with my younger brother. He loves them and i’ve recently had to go Gulten free so we were trying them out. They were amazing!! I then got dressed into my red dress but had to wear a black top as well as it was so cold.
Later in the afternoon I made oat cookies for my family.
I also made a fruit smoothie for me and my mum but forgot to take any pictures to document it. I used fresh strawberries and bananas!
In the evening, I unpressed all the flowers i pressed to try a few weeks ago - id been leaving it until Beltane to do so!
I then made my offerings to the fae. It was honey, milk and some of my oat cookies. I left it under a beautiful flower in my garden that’s surrounded by our strawberry pots.
I also took a moment whilst outside to appreciate the sunset i could just see.
I then proceeded upstairs to write my wish letter to the Gods and Godesses i celebrated with today. (it’s only the title as i didn’t want to show it)
When i go to bed, i plan to fully pray to the Gods and thank them for a beautiful day!
Photo by Clarence Hudson White (April 8, 1871 – July 7, 1925) an American photographer and a founding member of the Photo-Secession movement. He is recognized as a master of the art form for his sentimental portraits and for his excellence as a teacher of photography. Photo titled “the May Pole” circa 1899. #victorianchaps #maypole #retro #beltane #goodolddays #victorian #usa #oldphoto #pastlives #nostalgia #vintage #mayday #1890s #history #portrait https://www.instagram.com/p/CdBfKJtDfiA/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
