Thousands joined protesters from the Occupy Wall Street movement in a march through Oakland, California Wednesday, in an attempt to shut down the city.

The protesters called on people to walk out of school and off their jobs. They later planned to march to the Oakland seaport, a major point of entry for imports to the United States. But port officials said the facility was open for business

Oakland entered the national spotlight last week when violence erupted as police cleared out dozens of protesters from a plaza in front of City Hall. One protester, an Iraq war veteran, was critically injured.

The Occupy Wall Street movement has sprung up in public parks and squares in major cities across the United States.

Demonstrators have numerous demands, including ending U.S. foreign military action, raising taxes on the wealthy, and more government social spending.

Protesters have said they hoped the movement would last until at least the next U.S. presidential and congressional elections in November 2012.