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Mellow End to Oakland Vigil and Occupy General Assembly; Quan's Statement on Facebook; Vigil for Injured Iraq Vet

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People place candles for injured Iraq Veteran Scott Olsen, who was critically wounded by a projectile fired by the police on Tuesday. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

11:13 p.m. The Occupy gatherings in San Francisco and Oakland will likely last another night without police intervention, says our reporter Andrew Stelzer and other news outlets. So with that, it’s time for us to call it a night.

We’ll be back in the morning with the latest developments on the status of Occupy Oakland and San Francisco, as well as the status of injured veteran Scott Olsen. Come back to News Fix and tune in to KQED News on the radio and online.

10:58 p.m. The General Assembly has just concluded, and about 250 are milling about in the plaza, says Stelzer. The mood is “very mellow,” he adds.

Quan told him that the campers would be allowed tonight if they behave themselves, and then the situation will be evaluated on a day-by-day basis.

10:47 p.m. Our reporter Andrew Stelzer says that Mayor Quan left City Hall about 15 minutes ago and initially stood in line to speak at the microphone. She was booed by the audience and then quickly left, Stelzer reports.

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Across the Bay, it appears that the Occupy San Francisco encampment will remain, at least for the time being. KTVU reports that the police department was going to raid Justin Herman Plaza last night, but plans were canceled at the last minute.

The TV station also reports that some people with Occupy SF met with Mayor Ed Lee this afternoon, regarding how to deal with safety and health code violations.

9:40 p.m. After awaiting for a recorded message from the mayor, Quan posted a message on her Facebook page.

“When there’s violence, there are no winners — it polarizes us and opens old wounds rather than brings us together, which is the aim of Occupy Wall Street and uniting the 99%.

We are a nation in crisis, Oakland more than most cities faces budget cuts, unemployment and foreclosures. We are also a Progressive city. And as a long-time civil rights activist and union organizer I want my City to support the movement.

Thank you for last night’s peaceful protest. I will continue to order a minimal police presence. I need you to maintain a nonviolent attitude towards people, business owners, and homeowners around City Hall. I hope you will consider starting a dialogue with the small businesses around City Hall that you impact.”

The Mayor asked the Occupy Oakland group for four things:

  1. Direct communication with leaders who want to meet with her and Police Chief Howard Jordan.
  2. Maintain “healthy and safe conditions.”
  3. Allow public safety employees access to the plaza when there is an emergency.
  4. No overnight camping: “the plaza is open for free speech” from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

8:35 p.m. KQED’s Andrew Stelzer spoke with City Council Member Jane Brunner (District 1) tonight and she told him that she and other city council members were not included in decision making regarding the police action and eviction that occurred early Tuesday morning.

“You can’t have an opinion if you don’t have all the facts.  So we’re not in the room being briefed to the level where we can make decisions. I’m getting them after the fact.

And so I do believe the city council should be part of making these decisions.  They’re critical decisions.”

8:20 p.m. Thomas Peele, reporter with the Bay Area News Group tweets:

I’ve confirmed Mayor @JeanQuan will not speak to occupiers, who insisted she wait in like like anyone else.

8:03 p.m. Several news outlets are reporting that Mayor Quan left City Hall without addressing the crowd. Quan tweeted about 10 minutes ago:

“I was told I could speak at the speak out but that was cancelled. Hoping to speak at the general assembly tonight”

Our reporter on the ground, Andrew Stelzer says he has not received confirmation whether Quan will speak or if she has left. At least one demonstrator told him she would be welcome to speak, however the buzz on Twitter is mixed about whether Quan should address the crowd.

Members of Veterans Against the War stand in support of Scott Olsen during a vigil in Oakland, Calif., on Oct., 27, 2011. Photo: Michelle Gachet/KQED

KALW posted this photo of the vigil earlier this evening. Journalist Susie Cagle tweeted this photo of another angle.

7:30 p.m. Dan Siegel, an attorney and legal adviser to Quan said there is a debate taking place between the powers that be, but he’s optimistic that campers will be allowed to stay tonight, Stelzer tells us. Currently there about half a dozen tents on the plaza.

Journalist Steve Rhodes posted this picture yesterday on Flickr of Siegel.

7:15 p.m. A crowd of about 500 is present tonight at Oakland’s Frank Ogawa Plaza, KQED’s Andrew Stelzer tells us. People have gathered for a vigil for Scott Olsen, a former Marine who served in the Iraq War and was critically injured by a projectile fired by police during a demonstration on Tuesday night. Many are holding candles and photos him.

A number of people are waiting for Mayor Jean Quan to speak to the crowd, but there has been no official confirmation from her office on whether she will appear. There is buzz on Twitter that she will speak sometime tonight. Quan has received fierce criticism from local media, as well as from nationally-recognized pundits and comedians in recent days regarding her handling of the situation.

Earlier in the afternoon, Oakland City Council Member At-Large Rebecca Kaplan sent a statement to reporters saying:

Next Thursday, the Oakland City Council will convene a special meeting to discuss these incidents and to evaluate next steps moving forward.

I look forward to discussing my proposal on preventing the excessive use of force and hearing others’ ideas as we move forward. You can join this discussion at the Special City Council Meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 3rd in the Council Chambers of Oakland City Hall, located at 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, CA  94612.

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In San Francisco, the situation seems to be pretty quiet, and no reports of police action yet. We’ll keep you updated.

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