City Of Oakland Suing Occupy Protester For Damages
OAKLAND (KCBS) – Oakland's City Attorney is suing a 24-year-old man, who is accused of vandalizing a city building during Occupy protests in November.
Cesar Aguirre, of Elk Grove, was arrested in the early morning hours of November 3, when officers said they saw him use a metal chair to smash the windows of the Oakland Police Internal Affairs and Recruiting building.
City Attorney Barbara Parker's lawsuit is an effort to recoup more than $6,600 in damages from Aguirre.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
"We want to make a statement and send a message that if you come here to intentionally damage city property, the taxpayers shouldn't have to pay for it," said Alex Katz, spokesman for the Oakland City Attorney's Office.
Katz said that Parker is also reviewing other vandalism cases stemming from the numerous Occupy Oakland demonstrations that have taken place and that more lawsuits are expected.
"This is not about Occupy or any particular demonstration," Katz said. "This is about somebody who caused a lot of damage to the city."
The city is also seeking punitive damages against Aguirre.
Aguirre was one of roughly 80 protesters arrested on the night of November 2 and morning of November 3 following a large general strike protest and march to the Port of Oakland.
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