The Occupy movement is holding a national day of action in support of prisoners. This post will be following the actions as they unfold. Updates will be posted regularly through the rest of the afternoon and evening.

We can debate all day long about what’s really violent; about whether Black Bloc is a part of Occupy, an offshoot, an infiltrator or a welcome counterpart; about whether actions taken during demonstrations need to be understood within a longer historical context. In the end, such fine distinctions will mostly be lost on those watching what little coverage is available.

Over 300 people were arrested in Oakland after police ordered a march of Occupy Oakland protesters to “submit” to an arrest because they were engaged in an unlawful assembly. Hundreds were detained outside of a YMCA. In zip cuffs, many waited for hours to be escorted to a police vehicle and hauled away.

Oakland police in riot gear fired smoke, tear gas, flash bang grenades and rubber bullets at Occupy Oakland protesters trying to take a vacant building this afternoon. Near the Oakland Museum of California, demonstrators had planned to take a building nearby and make it a headquarters. But, police were prepared to stop then from occupying the vacant building.

Today is the third anniversary of Oscar Grant’s killing by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle. Oscar, a young father, a young worker, unarmed, was shot in the back while lying prostrate in police custody on the Fruitvale BART station platform. Mehserle was charged with murder and ultimately convicted of involuntary manslaughter, serving less than half of his two-year sentence. Occupy Oakland organized a march in remembrance.

For the past few weeks, the Oakland Police Department has harassed occupiers whenever and wherever they find us. After the last raid on the camp at Oscar Grant Plaza, they initially said we could re-occupy the plaza from 6 AM to 10 PM – which also happens to be legal, but legality often seems beside the point with OPD. For the past few weeks, they have steadily harassed occupiers during daylight hours, making up New Rules as they went along (Bill Maher would be proud). No food, no umbrellas, no bikes, no no no no no. Unless you are not an occupier, of course.

Not much change to our list of full time encampments this week. We go to 65 encampments as Occupy Bellingham faces an 11:30 am PT eviction today and moves to the “threatened with eviction” list, but since the rash of raids on the 23rd, there hasn’t been much action. (Homeland Security must be giving staff the week off for the holidays.) Details follow.

Some meandering thoughts as I prepare for the West Coast Port Shutdown tomorrow . .

In the freezing cold rain and under threat of an immediate crackdown by the Oakland Police Department to remove them if they tried to re-establish their occupation, Occupy Oakland setup a new camp site at 19th & Telegraph.

Occupy Oakland organizers reported regaining “momentum” as a number of actions with “visible union support” took place as many took to the streets again. They added ”as of 6 pm [Occupy Oakland was] celebrating in a liberated vacant lot at 19th and Telegraph to the sounds of hip hop, drumming, dance music and marching bands. Some neighbors in the Uptown development welcomed the arrival with signs of support and danced in their balconies. Police quickly withdrew to the perimeter when the thousands of protestors arrived.”

Thursda,y in two separate actions, several hundred people participated in a march organized by Good Jobs LA, with folks from Occupy LA, SEIU and citizens joining in as part of a general day of action to protest police actions in New York and elsewhere; planned arrests went off without a hitch. Later in the afternoon, a large group from Occupy LA marched back to the Bank of America branch and some folks were arrested. There was no violence in either action.