Occupy Oakland Violence Energizes Campaign To Recall Mayor Quan

OAKLAND (KCBS) -- An effort launched last week to recall Oakland Mayor Jean Quan seems to have new life this weekend.

"We're already getting all sorts of phone calls and emails," said Charles Pine about the people asking where they can sign the petition. He's the leader in the recall campaign against Mayor Quan.

Pine is awaiting approval of the city clerk to gather 25- to 30-thousand signatures after filing paperwork last week.

The original issue was public safety and what is considered to be a dwindling police force. But last Tuesday police were out in droves, along with police from neighboring communities, well armed, and ready to take on Occupy Oakland protesters.

Quan was caught in the middle, having previously walked with the protesters, but is now being heavily criticized for her handling of the violent conflict, that sent one protester—an Iraq war veteran, to the hospital with a fractured skull. Scott Olsen was reportedly released from Highland Hospital Saturday and relocated to an undisclosed location as his condition improves.

Pine has also been critical of Quan's response to the occupation of Frank Ogawa Plaza which had become a virtual tent city since October 10, until police conducted a middle of the night raid early Tuesday morning. Since Tuesday night's incident the tents have started making their way back into the plaza in defiance of the Mayor's wishes.

KCBS' Tim Ryan Reports:

Quan has been on the receiving end of sour newspaper editorials in the Bay Area and has even been the subject of national criticism for Tuesday night's altercation in which police unleashed tear gas and non-lethal bullets against the protesters who were armed with insults, paint and in some cases glass bottles or rocks.

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