Man Outed As Undercover Cop At Occupy Oakland Condemns Police Brutality, Supports The Movement

Written by Zaid Jilani, ThinkProgress

Across the country, police have used undercover and/or plainsclothed police officers to monitor occupations and protests that are a part of the 99 Percent Movement. Earlier today, the Tennessean published excerpts from emails sent by the Tennessee Highway Patrol that confirmed not only that police were infiltrating Occupy Nashville but that they were hoping for the movement’s demise.

In a video released last month, Oakland Police Officer Fred Shavies was outed as one of these plainsclothed officers at Occupy Oakland. Watch it:

Now, in an interview with Justin Warren, Shavies said that he was just doing his job and that he actually supports the movement. He said that the police brutality that occurred could be our generation’s Birmingham — referring to the civil rights struggle in the South — and that he hopes the movement is a turning point for changing the country:

SHAVIES: I’m a police officer. I’m part of the 99 percent. [...] In the ’60s when people would protest, would gather in order to bring about change, right? Those protests were nonviolent they were peaceful assemblies. They were broken up with dogs, hoses, sticks. [...] It looks like there was a square, and police shot tear gas. That could be the photograph or the video for our generation. That’s our Birmingham. So, twenty years from now this movement could be the turning point, the tipping point, right. It’s about time your generation stood up for something. It’s about time young people are in the streets. [...] Ya’ll don’t need to throw gas canisters into a group of people occupying an intersection.

Watch it:

Shavies’ brave words make him one of the few police officers who has publicly stepped forward to question heavy-handed police tactics and to openly support the 99 Percent.

This post was originally published by ThinkProgress.

Police Clash With OWS Camps in Denver & Austin

Occupy Oakland Shuts Down the Port (Video)

Photo: screenshot from Youtube video

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Warren O.

8:13PM PST on Nov 15, 2011

I saw one of the most recent news segments in which a cop was holding someone down and jabbing them with his truncheon in the back ground. Has anyone else seen this? If the person who was getting jabbed sees this, who are you? Why was the Nazi storm trooper beating on you?

send a green star

Valerie H.

12:57PM PST on Nov 15, 2011

its good to know there are patriotic peace officers out there protecting the citizens

Myriam G.

6:45PM PST on Nov 14, 2011

Peace up, Fred!

Holly L.

12:59PM PST on Nov 14, 2011

Thanks to Officer Shavies! So brave to stand-up and speak out -- YAY!

Denise L.

12:06PM PST on Nov 14, 2011

I am so happy to hear a police officer stating that he is part of the 99% and would love to hear that from more of them because they are.

Jay D.

5:14AM PST on Nov 14, 2011

YOU KNOW THAT THERE ARE OTHERS ALSO THAT FEEL THIS WAY ALSO BUT HAVE NOT SPOKEN PUBLICALLY . WHAT THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING IS GREAT

Danuta W.

12:28AM PST on Nov 14, 2011

Thank you for sharing

Dandelion G.

2:15PM PST on Nov 13, 2011

The VietNam Marches and Demonstrations were infiltrated as well. Whenever the people raise their voice there will be infliltration, no matter how just the cause. Just know that all the people surrounding you may or may not be for "real"....if you know what I mean. Do not follow the trouble makers...this is what they want you to do to ruin the movement. In Solidarity.

Lilithe M.

1:40AM PST on Nov 13, 2011

Respect, brother!

Another green star to Marianne.

Marianne C.

8:00PM PST on Nov 12, 2011

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