SANTA CRUZ, Calif--
It was a chaotic scene in Oakland, Tuesday night. Occupy protestors were going head to head with police. Officers used tear gas after they said protesters assaulted them with rocks, bottles and even paint.
It all started early Tuesday morning when police told demonstrators to move out of their camp by city hall.
The violence in Oakland put a dent in the peaceful image of the Occupy movement. It lead to this KION Question for the occupy movements here on the Central Coast: does the violence give a bad image to the occupy movement?
According to Occupy Santa Cruz, it doesn't necessarily help or hurt it In fact, they said they're getting more support and it's the police department that's getting the bad rap
"I think it's hurting the overall image of the police department," said Chris Doyon, Occupy Santa Cruz. "We didn't do it. They attacked us. It's their image that's being tarnished by it, not ours. We're peaceful protesters, I mean, in every occupy around the country it's nothing but a peaceful movement."
But it's not so peaceful in Oakland anymore. Dennis with Occupy Santa Cruz said he's ok with that.
"If they went out and say, someone burned down a police car and the police weren't affecting them, then I would say that's wrong," said Dennis. "But if they're making a stand and trying to hold a peaceful protest because everyone has in their amendment that right to a peaceful assembly and when the cops overstep their boundaries, then yeah, make no bones about it. They need to defend themselves and they have that right.
Everyone Central Coast News talked to with Occupy Santa Cruz said they want their protest to be peaceful, but they know clashes could be possible.
"We have also consented unanimously nationwide that there is autonomy and in a case like that where you've been meddled up by the police and their firing tear gas, sonic cannons, sound grenades at you, you have the right to self defense," said Doyon.
But Santa Cruz Police don't see that happening locally. Police said they're constantly talking to protestors and expect everything to remain peaceful.
