Occupy Oakland protest grows to about 2,000 people
OAKLAND, Calif.—Oakland police have started making arrests as a protest involving an estimated 2,000 Occupy protesters has turned violent.
Oakland police Officer Jeff Thomason says about 10 people were arrested when some in the crowd started throwing objects at police.
Oakland officials said about 250 people were in the group when the protest started around noon Saturday. But KCBS-AM reports the crowd has since grown to about 2,000.
The group was being monitored by dozens of Oakland police officers, as well as officers from nearby police agencies. Police began firing tear gas and flash bang grenades as things began to get out of hand.
The protest comes after Occupy protesters said earlier this week that they planned to move into a vacant building and turn it into a social center and political hub.
