The Whole World Is Watching Occupy Oakland
OAKLAND (KCBS)— From a rally in support of the movement in Egypt's Tahrir Square to a visit from activist and documentary filmmaker Michael Moore on Friday, Occupy Oakland is drawing attention from around the world.
Now Oaklanders are reacting to the international spotlight being cast on their city.
Since seeing footage of the tear gassing of protestors Rachel Antal has come to the Occupy site at Frank Ogawa Plaza twice.
"I think it was a real eye opener for people."
Antal referred to the police tactics used on Tuesday.
Antal said the attention shows Occupy Oakland is being heard which gets people more excited about the movement.
"What happens when people keep pushing is there's crack down. I think it's important that people get to see what happens if we keep standing up. People aren't about to back down right now and I think it's important to understand the risks and understand what we really stand for and what we're really up against," she said.
But Dr. Terrance Candell, who was at the first day of the occupation, calls it troublesome that back then, when the message was positive about education and jobs, no one seemed to care.
"Then the moment there was violence and those kinds of things that are seen as being typical of Oakland, suddenly we got all kinds of media. We've got helicopters flying over here," Candell stated.
Candell said Oakland should not be defined by the violence of Tuesday and while he supports the movement, he wants to make sure Oakland's issues are remembered too.
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