| Occupy Oakland - Black Bloc Instigates Riot Police - War Zone Erupts Full Credit To: www.youtube.com OAKLAND, Calif. -- Oakland Mayor Jean Quan made history in January when she became the first Asian American woman to lead a major US city. Less than a year later, the Democratic mayor is quickly losing support on all sides of the political spectrum, mostly over her handling of the city's Occupy Wall Street protests that drew heavy scrutiny. Quan's critics say she has struggled to formulate a coherent response to the Occupy encampment that has overtaken the plaza in front of Oakland City Hall for the past few weeks. Police raided the camp last week and fired tear gas during skirmishes with marchers before Quan allowed protesters to return a day later. "It was sort of remarkable that she was able to alienate both sides," said University of San Francisco political scientist Corey Cook of Quan's relationship with protesters and police. "She has no friends at this point." The Occupy movement, which began six weeks ago in New York City to decry corporate influence in government and wealth inequality, has spread to cities large and small across the country and around the world. Demonstrators have spent weeks camped out in parks, wearing at the patience of city officials -- even those like Quan who have expressed some level of support for their cause. Quan, 62, a former school board president and city council member, was surprisingly elected mayor last year, succeeding Ron Dellums ... |
