Elk Grove 'Occupy' Protester Sued by City of Oakland for Property Damage

The City of Oakland is making good on its threats to sue Occupy protesters for alleged damage to city property, and an Elk Grove man is the first to be targeted, according to the East Bay Express.

Oakland officials say Cesar Aguirre, 24, owes the city about $7,000 for using a metal folding chair to smashing windows in the city's Internal Affairs and Recruiting building during an Occupy Oakland protest last Nov. 3.

But Aguirre told News10 this week that he was just trying to protect himself—from police.

"I was trying to dislodge some boards to shield me," from beanbags being shot at protesters, Aguirre said.

See the full News10 interview here.

The incident referenced in the Feb. 27 civil suit happened towards the end of a largely-peaceful day of protest in which thousands of Occupiers shut down the Port of Oakland.

A much smaller group of protesters skirmished with police at night, some breaking windows and burning garbage. Police shot tear gas and beanbags into the crowd, and some protesters said they had not damaged property but were caught in the crossfire.

Oakland officials say they plan more lawsuits.

"We hope it deters that kind of destructive behavior, because the taxpayers can't afford it," Oakland city attorney spokesperson Alex Katz told News10.