Oakland port reopens, 101 protesters arrested

Despite a peaceful protest during the day, the situation escalated during the night when protesters started throwing rocks, lit flares, roman candles and bottles. Police were ordered to make use of tear gas and bean bags to bring back under control the situation.

Eight people were also hurt during the protests.

A spokesman for protest organizers slammed the violent minority: "They're not part of the 99%," Allan Brill told AFP. "They're part of the .001 percent. Many of us were trying to prevent window breakage and spray painting and that kind of thing."

The protesters took over the Port of Oakland on Wednesday and workers were sent home early in the afternoon.

"Maritime activities at the Port of Oakland are back to normal with all terminals open for business," port authorities said.

No injuries or damage were reported although some protesters managed to get into the port area: "There was a limited incursion into a private rail facility, and trespassers were escorted off peacefully."

According to AFP, nearly 7,000 people rallied in downtown Oakland during the day, notably targeting shuttered banks, before heading for the docks in the evening and forcing the port to close.

The protests were mainly peaceful until around midnight, when dozens of protesters in the city center hurled rocks and bottles, briefly occupied a vacant building and torched a barricade, it added.