Carney Refuses to Condemn Occupy Oakland Riots

QUESTION:

Occupy Wall Street protesters are making headlines again as you know over the weekend 400 protesters were arrested in Oakland and now today the national park services is expected to clear out protesters potentially as we speak from a site here in DC.

What is your reaction, is the administration concerned that some of these protesters are taking things too far?

CARNEY:

Well, with regards to Oakland that’s obviously a local law enforcement matter. Here in Washington I would refer you for specifics to the U.S. National Park Services and U.S. Park Police and our position has been and continues to be that we need to balance first Amendment concerns, the right to demonstrate, the right to speak freely with public safety concerns and public health concerns and we understand that local law enforcement as well as National Park Service and U.S. Park Police are weighing these considerations when making these decisions and that’s appropriate.

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Over 400 'Occupy Oakland' protesters have been arrested thus far. Occupiers have threatened to "kill the police", weapons have been seized from their campsites, instances of anti-semitism and instances of anti-American sentiments have been well documented. 

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