.Friday Must Read: Oakland Council Refuses to Back Occupy Oakland; ‘Black Bloc’ Vandals Rip a Hole in Occupy Movement

Stories you shouldn’t miss:

1. The Oakland City Council last night declined to vote on a resolution in support of Occupy Oakland, after it became clear that the measure lacked the votes needed to pass. In addition, a council majority, along with Mayor Jean Quan, indicated that they wanted Occupy Oakland to go away, although it remains unclear whether the city will again try to forcibly remove the protesters. The council’s decision to not voice support for Occupy Oakland came after city business leaders said the protests were harming existing businesses and scaring away others. Although nearly everyone appeared to agree that the General Strike and massive protest on Wednesday had been a roaring success, the vandalism, violence, and chaos orchestrated by a small group of demonstrators early yesterday appears to have severely harmed the movement.

2. The splinter group of black-clad vandals who used so-called “black-bloc” tactics early yesterday in an obvious attempt to launch a battle with police and turn the protest into chaos also have ripped a gaping hole within Occupy Oakland, the Chron and Trib report. Many Occupiers denounced the splinter group but others in the protest have been unwilling to do so. The resulting divide and the possibility that the vandals will wreak more havoc on the city are also raising serious doubts about the long-term survival of Occupy Oakland.

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