Tuesday's pre-dawn sweep of the Occupy Oakland encampment, which resulted in about 80 arrests, came after the diverse community of protesters refused to allow police and fire officials -- as well as at least two ambulance crews -- access to the area to provide services, city officials said.
Oakland had issued repeated warnings to the campers over the last week, citing an increase in public urination and defecation, rats and fire hazards from cooking. The greatest concern, however, stemmed from violence.
When the camp took shape Oct. 10, things were relatively harmonious: City officials, including Mayor Jean Quan, asserted their support for the protesters’ free-speech rights and the movement's values. A children's "village" was set up, along with a kitchen and "school" in which to conduct workshops.
PHOTOS: Occupy Oakland protesters cleared out by police
Homeless individuals and families who had been living in the area were embraced by the makeshift community and became a part of it.
On Oct. 17, the first sexual assault was reported. But camp leaders declined to allow police and fire officials to conduct patrols.
By the following day, city officials said in a statement, "We began to receive numerous complaints of threatening, intimidating behavior…. public health and safety requirements were being ignored."
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