A Marine who served two tours in Iraq was one of the demonstrators injured during the protests Tuesday in Oakland, California.
Scott Olsen, 24, suffered a a fractured skull and brain swelling after he was hit by an alleged police projectile. A spokesman for the hospital told the Associated Press he is in critical condition. It is not clear if he will need surgery.
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Olson was demonstrating against the police operation to clear two Occupy Oakland camps when he was injured. Fellow protestors took him to the hospital.
The marine, who was discharged last year after serving two tours in Iraq during 2006 and 2007, is a member of advocacy group Iraq Veterans Against War. Other members told the press that he was protesting because he felt corporations and banks had too much influence on the government.
Olsen’s injury was caught on tape, and photographs of him lying on the floor were also published. During the video, a group of protestors rush to his aid, and a police officer throws an explosive device at them. The footage then shows the group carrying Olsen away as he bleeds from his head.
In a press conference Oakland police stated that they used tear gas and baton rounds but denied the use of flash bang grenades.
Officials has stated that they wanted to break up the camps because of safety, sanitation and health issues.
The arrests and injuries of Tuesday night did not seem to deter protesters, however. Oakland’s Occupy Wall Street movement tweeted for demonstrators to return to downtown at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
With Associated Press
