Police Plead With Occupy Oakland Protesters To Leave

OAKLAND (AP) — Oakland police officers are pleading with Occupy Oakland protesters to leave their encampment at the City Hall plaza where a man was fatally shot during evening rush hour.

The Oakland Police Officer's Association, which represents police rank-and-file, issued an open letter to protesters Friday saying the camp is pulling officers away from crime-plagued neighborhoods.

The letter says Thursday's shooting shows the plaza is no longer safe. Protesters say the shooting was not connected to the camp. Police say it may have resulted from a fight between two groups of men.

"With last night's homicide, in broad daylight, in the middle of rush hour, Frank Ogawa Plaza is no longer safe," the letter said. "Please leave peacefully, with your heads held high, so we can get police officers back to work fighting crime in Oakland neighborhoods."

Protesters are girding for another police raid as several City Council members have called on protesters to leave.

After police cleared the camp last month, Mayor Jean Quan reversed course and allowed protesters to return and restore the camp.