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thedailywhat:

Occupy Oakland News Update of the Day: The thousands of Occupy Oakland protesters who participated in yesterday’s General Strike were ultimately successful in their effort to shut down the city’s port.

The Port of Oakland ceased normal operations yesterday evening after it was flooded with protesters. Work resumed around 8:30 this morning local time, with no reports of injuries or property damage.

International Longshore and Warehouse Union communications director Craig Merrilees said productivity loss was “relatively minor” due to an unrelated issue concerning dangerous containers from Vietnam that had already prevented the evening shift from doing its job.

A notable incident occurred around 7:30 PM, when a silver Mercedes-Benz sedan struck two protesters after the driver allegedly became annoyed at the “streams of marchers” blocking his way. Cell phone footage of the incident — which appears to show a protester hitting the vehicle before being run over — can be seen below:

According to BART Police Deputy Chief Daniel Hartwig, the wounded protesters were taken to Highland Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was allowed to leave the scene after a brief interrogation. Oakland PD is reportedly conducting an investigation.

The protests became progressively more eventful as the night wore on. While the vast majority of protesters were peaceful, the early morning hours were marred by violent clashes between police and “a roving group of about 100 mostly young men” who walked around downtown committing various acts of vandalism.

“Thanks to a splinter group of protesters in Oakland last night, the news today is leading with imagery of burning barricades and headlines about property destruction,” wrote Salon’s Justin Elliott.

At least 80 people were arrested overnight, including Susie Cagle, the daughter of influential editorial cartoonist Daryl Cagle. Her father wrote on his blog that Susie was arrested while attempting to peacefully march with others toward the police station. 

Watch a report from Sacramento’s News10 on last night’s violence below:

[photo: occupyoakland.]