Occupy oakland general strike

Occupy oakland general strike | 8.20am GMT: Just as calm appeared to have returned, explosions were heard on the livestream (see 7.55am GMT).

Here's an update from Adam Gabbatt in Oakland:

Protesters had occupied a building close to their base at Frank H Ogawa and barricaded off the main road to it when police arrived. Some 200 officers, who appeared to be from different agencies, ordered protesters to move back before firing teargas and what appeared to be flash bang grenades.

Protesters ran back and police claimed back the street entrance and the protesters' barricade of bins and pallets - which protesters had set on fire - before ordering protesters back a second time. A small group of protesters refused, and teargas was again fired and
more than ten explosives thrown by police. The teargas appeared to be a more concentrated dose, afflicting me for some 30 minutes.

One woman, Lauren Freitas, said she was hit in the legs by rubber bullets or other projectiles. A rapid-firing weapon could definitely be heard during one of the two police advances.

At the moment there is an impasse between police and protesters. Two groups of police prevent protesters moving north beyond 16th Street on Broadway and east along 15th.
Some protesters are sat down in front of police lines, clapping as a man plays guitar. The vast majority are back towards their base at the plaza.

There haven't been clashes for around 30 minutes now. Many protesters are regrouping, having treated teargas with a variety of vinegar and lemon solutions .

8.03am GMT: My colleague Adam Gabbatt (@AdamGabbatt) was in the midst of things when the police used teargas. Here are some of his tweets as officers tried to disperse protesters:

Live blog: Twitter

Teargas deployed. And loud explosion #OccupyOakland

That was horrible. Don't have a mask #OccupyOakland

Protesters' barricade on fire. Police 100m away warning to move back #OccupyOakland

That fire has really taken off. Police continue to ask protesters to move or face arrest. Protesters chant "peaceful protest" #OccupyOakland

Police secured the blazing barricade. Used teargas and exploding devices (not sure of proper name, like bangers) #OccupyOakland

Second tear gas felt more concentrated than the first. Back on Broadway now. Some protesters have smashed a window #OccupyOakland

Adam took the photo above of part of a teargas cannister.