It’s too soon to tell how effective, overall the general strike in Oakland, CA will be, but despite my words fearing the opposite, which I am now happy to eat, the early signs look good.. The 99% protesters are getting strong union support and participation in the first general strike in the US in the last 65 years. Some businesses supported the strike, and most respected it. With few exceptions, and those not at all related to the OWS movement, the demonstration was peaceful.

Many businesses in downtown Oakland are closed during today’s Occupy Oakland general strike, whether in support of the movement or in preparation for the mass of protesters marching through the streets. The closed stores included national chains such as Rite Aid, Tully’s Coffee and Foot Locker. Some of the stores that remained open would only accept cash to honor the strike and avoid sending credit card fees to multinational corporations and banks. Many local bank branches tried to stay open for customers, but were forced to lock doors where hoards of protesters neared. Marchers also tried to discourage use of ATMs. Although the Oaklandish clothing store on Broadway closed, staff members set up a turntable with a DJ outside and are offering free water to protesters…

Inserted from <San Francisco Chronicle>

Keith Olbermann covered the strike and other OWS news in two segments on Countdown .

Part 2:

I condemn the actions of the vandals who smashed windows and tried to create havoc. They are not part of the OWS movement. Sadly, when people of good will gather to do what is right, others take advantage of the demonstrations and selfishly as them as a cover to do wrong to pursue an agenda of their own. These are not acts of civil disobedience. They are crimes. I hope they are identified, apprehended and prosecuted. I also hope you will join me in condemning behavior that can only work against our purposes. While I have no evidence to support this, I would not be surprised to discover that they are agents provocateur in the hire of the Banksters themselves.