Oakland Police Critically Injure Scott Olsen, Iraq War Vet, During 'Occupy' March: How You Can Help

Iraq War veteran Scott Olsen was injured after being hit in the head with a police projectile at Occupy Oakland.

Olsen's family is waiting to see if he needs surgery, his mother told the Huffington Post. If it's not required, he'll move to the intensive care unit.

Olsen is a member of Veterans for Peace and Iraq Veterans Against The War. IVAW is accepting donations for Olsen and his family.

On the organization's secure donation site, visitors may choose to allocate funds by typing "Scott Olsen" in the entry box titled "Special Projects."

DONATIONS ACCEPTED HERE.

WATCH footage of Olsen at the protest:

 

 

Comments

[ur2nutty4me]

10:34 PM on 11/03/2011

The famous LA bank Robers got better attention then this Vet.

Just discusting and the Mayor should be arrested and sued.................

[Dham4201]

08:09 PM on 11/03/2011

VETS COMING HOME AFTER BEING SHOT AT BY IRAQI MILITANTS AND THE TALIBAN
TO BE SHOT AT BY THE OAKLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT

THIS WILL NOT STAND

[BICHONS9]

03:36 PM on 10/29/2011

My # 1 observation was....As the Marine lie on the ground in Oakland injured and not moving, the entire task force of our "PROTECT AND SERVE" DID WHAT??? STAND THERE??? Why did they not run to help him ? And then to top it off, They send in a canister of chemicals? I think this is called a CRIME!!!!!! IT'S ON VIDEO...PLAIN TO SEE...ARE WE REALLY GOING TO LE THIS GO, THIS TIME????? And are the police going to claim the Marine might have been booby-trapped; making it unsafe for them to proceed? I'm anticipating that being said on "Faux" news by Monday!!!

[nohmadd13a]

12:14 AM on 10/28/2011

It is so sad that this vet was injured. But this is going to happen, when you are told to move and do not. I am disbled and yet mange to survive by doing wht I can. It amazes me how you all claim to be 99%, yet are so small in each place. I-phones, Laptops, ll sorts of electronic toys in use but yet claiming poverty. Protesting the very corporations that provide service and also your lil electronic gizmos. I see everyone dressed, and in coats, well fed and healthy. All of the clothes your wearing, your lap tops your cell phones, I-Pads all came from........... A CORPORATION!!!!
What idf those evil bankers decided to say okay you hate us we will stop. No ATMs, to ability to pay bills, buy food, etc etc. Mybe every rich CEO, and Business owner should just shut their doors and go away, and nothing will be open. No chain resteraunts, no grocery stores, no pharmcies, and no Hospitals. (all owned by corportions.) And remember your president is real close to those bankers, and those who led you are rich also. So who is bein played here? Not bein mean or anything, but curious.

[Sheilah Kring]

05:38 PM on 10/31/2011

If you really are curious, a few points to ponder:
The U.S. is one of the wealthiest countries in the world (meaning we have the most funds at are disposal per capita), and also supposedly one of the most "advanced" technologically, yet when you compare the U.S. to other westernized nations with even a fraction of our per capita income, we have: the largest income disparities, the highest per capita costs of health care, the highest levels of poverty, the most people starving (literally), the most homeless, the most people living without health care, the most people dying to preventable conditions, the lowest median standard of living (comparing creature comforts), and our infant mortality rate is not only the highest, but it is comparable to third world countries. What is my point, you may ask? These other westernized countries that do better for their people in all these other ways do so without having CEOs and bankers who make such an excess, get caught multiple times stealing from people, get bailouts from the common taxpayer, and whose quality of living and incomes go up exponentially decade by decade while every year "the 99 percent" feel more and more burden. And we're not talking about regular businesses or even all big ones (ie, those that pay taxes and treat their employees well), but businesses that steal from our economy, our tax funds, and exploit their workers. There's is nothing wrong with both being aware of and protesting that.

[goddessboi]

07:35 PM on 10/27/2011

Sometimes orders need to be questioned! If someone can risk speaking up perhaps others will follow? Serve and protect that is there Job not assault unarmed people expressing their rights as citizens! I feel for them to but they do have a choice!May everyone rise in peaceful protest to address the inequity in this country!!!! with respect goddessboi www.butchculture.com
http://butchculture.com/occupy%20America%20photo_player_flash.html

[jlpowell1106]

12:27 PM on 10/27/2011

Althought I think it is terrible that this man was injured and I totally support the Occupy.. movement I feel sorry for these officers as well. In that line of work, you are to follow orders or risk consequence that jeopardizes your job. Obviously being part of that 99%, most people cannot afford to give up their jobs. The testimonies from many police officers around the country about their sympathies to the movement have been made. This entire situation is unfortunate.

I am so encouraged by the demonstrations! I hope for the best in Mr. Olsen's situation. Donate to the movement in any way you can! Sign the petition!

[jpcoble]

12:03 PM on 10/27/2011

You can help this man and our movement by going to:
http://wh.gov/THQ
or
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/!/petition/launch-federal-investigation-critical-injury-police-iraq-war-veteran-scott-olsen-occupy-oakland/4KxTvCvm

and signing the petition for the Federal Government to launch an Investigation. There is a practical legal mechanism to use here. And, there is a way to be heard.

This is a new petition. Once it has 150 signatures, it will post on the main White House site. At 25,000 signatures, the President is obligated to respond. This is a way to push the Police back from peaceful protests!!!

John P. Coble, JD, CPA, LLM
Attorney at Law

[cbigdaddy55]

11:05 AM on 10/27/2011

Isn't this the kinda thing that started the protests in Egypt? Someone must be really scared if they are reacting this strongly. For a long time I've felt our country has returned to the 50's: xenophobic attitudes toward other countries and racial groups, intolerant hardnosed attitudes from people toward anyone that doesn't believe exactly as they do, big business throwing it's weight around, and a repressive social atmosphere. Said to my self- can't wait for the 60's to return. I'm a little old to be out there pissin on the American Evli Doers but I thank each and every one of you- hippies, Joe Blow, teabaggers, whoever for putting your lives on the line for all of us, Red and Blue.
A warning to all: Remember Kent State- Jackson State. National Guard and State Troopers attacking college students. The powers that be are VERY afraid so pllease be VERY careful

[maid3marian]

11:34 AM on 10/27/2011

If you remember the vibe of the 60s, and how much energy it produced for progressive advancement.. you aren't really that old!!!! Seasoned elders are needed to mentor the generations that follow us! Contact your local "Occupation" and ask if you can donate items... I am going to do that here in Denver. My idea is to go to the Oroweat Bakery store - just $5 or $10 will get dozens of loaves of good bread and snacks and take them to the site. If we all contribute just a little, it will give so much positive energy to the cause!

[maxfax]

06:03 PM on 10/30/2011

Remember the Civil Rights marchers.

[maid3marian]

10:51 AM on 10/27/2011

Peaceful civil disobedience is our right. Sending police is a cowardly act and causes a negative response. This is being done purposely to portray people exercising their constitutional rights as 'rabble' and unworthy of our attention, except to shun them, when we should be proud that our fellow citizens are putting themselves at the forefront of another chapter of ..'to form a more perfect union'. My question is, why aren't all citizens proud that we still have this freedom? If we don't exercise it, it will be the next freedom we lose.

[Barbara Warren]

05:28 PM on 10/27/2011

Peaceful assembly is a right, as is freedom of speech. Civil disobedience is by definition lawbreaking, and is not a right. That said, it is often a necessity. It has been those brave souls who risked arrest an persecution who have been responsible for the greatest change, from Selma Alabama to to Tarhir Square, to Oakland.

[magedfoxx]

10:42 AM on 10/27/2011

MARINES TO OAKLAND POLICE: 'You Did This To My Brother'

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/marine-to-police-you-did-this-to-my-brother-2011-10#ixzz1bzdWyCg1

[v eyepete]

06:49 AM on 10/27/2011

Please watch this film to know what people all over the world are demonstrating in the streets.

http://english.aljazeera.net/programmes/meltdown/

[Composer 1777]

05:22 AM on 10/27/2011

They are protesting for more government, It seems a fitting punishment. The Tea Party never has any incidents like this for a reason. Tea Party is actually peaceful! lol.

[JeanRR]

07:33 AM on 10/27/2011

Hey, way to support our troops. But I am beginning to understand--it is really an extension of the right winger pro-life stance. We love fetuses but, once they're born, they're on their own. We love our troops until they come home, then they are fair game.

[maid3marian]

10:10 AM on 10/27/2011

What? Get some facts. You are misinformed. I seem to remember a lot of TPs photos of people with signs saying 'Hands off my Medicare'.. ummm.. Repubs in control = Let the elderly starve, take away benefits.

[ritgar]

04:33 AM on 10/27/2011

Good grief - our company is about to move our CA office from San Francisco to Oakland due to costs. I think it had better rethink that move ASAP!!

[rossitheaussi]

02:53 AM on 10/27/2011

And this is the freedoms Scott went to Iraq for 2 tours, to protect his homeland, seems to me the protestors need protection in the USofA land of the free.

[netwonc]

04:36 AM on 10/27/2011

KENT STATE!

[maid3marian]

10:11 AM on 10/27/2011

Land of the 'used to be free'. Repeal the Patriot Act... we are in a police state because of it.

[ejfreeman]

10:38 AM on 10/27/2011

On to Washington.

[sadwitness]

02:43 AM on 10/27/2011

TO THE READERS IN THE BAY AREA:
Occupation of Oakland Camp has resumed. The Assembly voted to re-establish and the fences fell tonight. The City of Oakland has seized all personal possessions and critical supplies. DONATIONS ARE NEEDED- WATER, BLANKETS, FOOD, SIGN MATERIALS, OR YOUR TIME (1 hour or 1 day...it all helps), We especially need MEDICAL SUPPLIES LIKE BAND-AIDS, ASPRIN, OINTMENTS, ACE BANDAGES. There are many in the camp with minor wounds that need treatment, ya know like mom would offer, but precious little for us to use. We're easy to find, just follow the helicopters and smell of tear gas- Peace out hope you can find your way to support our effort.

[Krisgi]

02:58 AM on 10/27/2011

Please provide a link with the donation information. Thanks and KEEP IT GOING!

[sadwitness]

03:27 AM on 10/27/2011

THANKS FOR THE REMINDER

http://spot.us/pitches/1089-fund-reporting-on-occupy-oakland-by-oakland-local-police

the above link will take you to the monetary donation page, but those of you who, like many of us, are cash strapped, we know that you can't pack up the kids and come live with us, but if you could deliver ITEMS, as mentioned above to the camp at Frank Ogawa Plaza- We would be grateful for anything that you can spare.

The link below is an excellent story that details what occupiers managed to create in just two weeks with self funding and some outside assistance:

http://www.counterpunch.org/2011/10/26/the-fight-for-autonomy-in-oakland/

“Police used sound weapons and tear gas on the people there,” says one Oaklander.

“They kept the media and legal observers out, surrounded the camp and destroyed everything, including the kitchen, a free school/library, a childcare center, an arts center, and diverse cultural monuments to peace. People were brutalized and injured and many will spend the day in jail for attempting to envision a different society.”

From Washington D.C. (away on a lobbying trip) Oakland Mayor Jean Quan issued a statement after the police raid, recycling the city’s talking points that had been circulated days earlier in an eviction order, with no deadline, posted on the city’s web site

[sadwitness]

06:56 AM on 10/27/2011

Gosh you stayed up so late just to try to insult me...thanks. You are welcome- We will continue to fight the good fight for jobs and for fairness and for healthy lives for everyone not just the very wealthy. When that is all done, you can tell your grandkids that you were part of it all...no, really, no problem. It's worth it. Let me know if there is anything else I can do for you brother- as my good friend said to me, just moments ago, we are all related. Good night Moonbeam