Oakland Police fired tear gas into the faces of more than a thousand protesters in Oakland, as the May Day protests saw another round of confrontation between local law enforcement and political demonstrators, locally and nationally.

In Oakland, some occupiers dressed in vinegar-soaked handkerchiefs, garbage can shields and gas masks, as The Pioneer witnessed activists fleeing from the chemical that enveloped the areas between 14th and Broadway.

The general strike movement in Oakland started at 8:30 a.m. and represented several marches, including an anti-capitalist, anti-patriarchy and anti-gentrification march, all of which echoed dominant themes of inequality and oppression.

No different than previous demonstrations, passionate activists demonstrated their discontent with the current economic situation in America, representing the 99 percent and using their “right” to demonstrate publicly.

“Occupy everything,” said protester Mark Whitehawk. “I’m against the greed. I’m against the war. I’m against destroying the planet so some billionaires can make a profit, and I’m against people saying that, ‘Well, occupy doesn’t know what they are talking about, because everyone has different issues on their sides.’ It’s all one jigsaw puzzle.”

The anti-capitalist march started in Snow Park and worked its way to the nearby banks, where occupiers called for collective participation of improvements from the banks for the working class.

The anti-patriarchy march, which started on First St. and Broadway, attacked Oakland’s Child Protective Services, bringing up subjects such as discrimination against race and class and the singling out of single mothers. The anti-gentrification movement located on 22nd and Telegraph targeted areas that have pushed out the lower class residents by implementing businesses that attract “wealthier crowds.”

The majority of conflicts occurred mid-day, as many people were taken away in handcuffs, along with several protesters throwing objects similar to rocks at law enforcement. Some protesters opted to toss flowers at the feet of police officers.

Two helicopters were visible circling the city and upon starting the second march, massive groups of officers arrived, containing the tense crowd within the few blocks of the plaza.
The march made its way back to City Hall, where officers from different departments in Alameda County stood in front dressed in black with helmets and batons, ignoring angry protesters as they screamed in their faces, “F–k the police!”

The agitated group of demonstrators circled the plaza again, trying to push their way through onto the streets, only to find large barricades of officers.

A loud bang from 14th St. caught the attention of protesters, who ran over and saw one injured gentleman being carried out by volunteer medics.

The tension was building as the barricade of police officers read off protester’s rights to peacefully assemble, but noting that vandalism and violence would not be tolerated.  The crowd retracted into the plaza and the mood stabilized briefly as the chaos calmed down.

During the day, the plaza served as the headquarters, supplied with food, petitions and entertainment, accompanied by various types of people, from small children and parents, students from all over and sitting seniors.

The once-peaceful but tense demonstrators defaced buildings and banged on windows as they tried to gain attention from the banks. A police officer tripped, and while trying to get up, members of occupy pushed him down.

It was not until nightfall when chaos started again. Multiple arrests were made and vandalism had reached its maximum point. Garbage cans were lit up, engulfed with flames as protesters ran from the police.

By 10 p.m., most protesters had gone home and the once filled plaza was empty.

Hundreds of activists across the U.S. joined the worldwide May Day protests on Tuesday, with Occupy members in several cities — including Seattle, New York and San Francisco in addition to Oakland — recognizing the historical International Day of Labor.

Natalia Aldana and Matthew Mattson contributed to this article.