Inside the main branch of the Oakland Public Library on the day of the general strike, it was quieter than usual, even for a library. But outside the library was a different story. While thousands gathered in Frank Ogawa Plaza, hundreds gathered here, on the front lawn, for a smaller, more humble, and more family-oriented sort of protest. This march was led by toddlers in strollers and their parents. It was called called “The Toddler Brigade.”
Acting Supervising Librarian Kathleen DiGiovanni said the event wasn’t organized by the library, but it made sense that the lawn was being used in such a way; it’s a neutral, public meeting place for protesters to gather. After the police raided Frank Ogawa Plaza early on Tuesday, October 25th, 1500 people headed to that same library lawn to regroup. That’s when they decided on the general strike.
The Occupy Oakland movement has brought up heated debates about public space. Here at the library, Oakland library teen outreach coordinator Amy Sonnie said, “They wanted this space. All I have to do is let them have it. If there was a reason for me to come out to work today and not be out striking, this is it.” Which brings us back to the toddlers.
The Brigade included about 200 parents with their toddlers and some school-age children. Before this, there was also a “Children’s Brigade” to draw in an older crowd, which consisted mostly of kids aged five to twelve.
Jenny Sherrbi, an Oakland mother, said, “Cuts to schools have an impact on kids. We need to show everyone that the Occupy Oakland protesters aren’t just hippies. I love the hippies, but this crisis involves families. This is about our kids’ futures.”
Her son, Liam, age five, said, “I think this event is very serious and very important. What police are doing is wrong.” Many of the protesting children vented their anger at the economy by shooting bubbles from bubble guns. Others whacked tambourines. The children’s singalong group Rockin’ Kids-Sing-Along provided song.
In front of the public library, kids drew what could be interpreted as anti-corporate chalk drawings. One chalk drawing said, “This pie is wrong.”
Over in the library’s West Auditorium, high schoolers gathered. In an event organized by the Asian/Pacific Islander Youth Promoting Advocacy Leadership, about 60 students gathered in one room for a teach-in. In one game, 10 students sat down in 10 chairs, with 10% written on each chair. As the game went on, seven people were asked to sit in six chairs, and a boy named Spencer got four chairs all his own. APYLP’s Jay Conui, who led the teach-in, explained this was because, “Spencer has sunglasses.” When asked how this made the students feel, one boy responded, “I’d like to beat Spencer up.”
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