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Friday, Oct 28, 2011 12:44 PM UTC

Olbermann to Oakland mayor: repent or resign

The Current TV host VIDEO

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Topics: Video, Morning Clip, Occupy Wall Street, Keith Olbermann,

Olbermann to Oakland mayor: repent or resign (Credit: Current TV)

All eyes are on Oakland where police violently cracked down against mostly peaceful protesters Tuesday night, seriously injuring Scott Olsen — a 24-year-old Marine, and Iraq War veteran — in the process. Much of the blame for the incident has found itself resting squarely on the shoulders of Mayor Jean Quan.

Mayor Quan, as Keith Olbermann pointed out on his program last night, has devoted herself to progressive causes throughout her career — oftentimes putting her at odds with police. However, she was in Washington, D.C., at the time of the protests, and wound up downplaying the severity of the crackdown for lack of information, a misstep that has her at the receiving end of an Olbermann screed.

Mayor Quan is left with two choices. She can dismiss the acting police chief, Howard Jordan, and use her mayoral powers to authorize Occupy Oakland to protest again without harassment. Or, having betrayed everything she supported and all those who have supported her, she must resign.

Mayor Quan, for her part, seems eager to make amends.

Peter Finocchiaro

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Gripping photos: The people of the Turkey protests (slideshow)

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  • The protests take on a festive element as police forces move out of the park and square. Wearing a gas mask, this young man dances to traditional Turkish music in front of Taksim Square’s Ataturk Monument.

  • In Gezi Park since March 31st, this protester, originally caught off-guard by the Government’s teargas and water cannons, went out and bought a Russian army mask from WWII, preparing for what was to come.

  • This rambunctious boy seems to be enjoying the chaos. After taking this picture he threw a stone at the already destroyed building in the background.

  • Forming a line, the police face off directly with protesters in Taksim Square. After a while, they retreated and there was a general cheer – a back-and-forth dance that has been common since the beginning of this protest.

  • An elderly woman in Gezi Park reads the news. The tent community occupying the park was violently destroyed on June 16th.

  • Many different groups had set up booths to promote their cause in Taksim Square and Gezi Park. Standing in front of one, this man waves his flag while posing with conviction.

  • Many home-remedies are used to minimize the effects of tear gas. This woman has put a milky solution on her face, removing her mask after the tear gas dissipated. Before sunrise, the police came again for another round of teargasing.

  • People capitalize on the uprising -- selling flags, beer, gas masks, sky lanterns and spray paint to name just a few of the popular items.

  • On Monday morning, June 11, the police execute a strong offensive. Many plain-clothed police officers, like the ones seen here, clash with protesters in the side streets away from the main stand-off in Taksim.

  • The authorities seem to be most aggressive in the night, pushing protesters away from the square and park. After being teargassed this young woman catches her breath with other protesters on Siraselviler Street.

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