In a move being called "a warning shot to the 1%," thousands of peaceful Occupy Oakland protesters took to the streets on Wednesday to call for a "general strike." Noting that the group is mainly angry at "big banks," organizer Tim Simons told CNN that Wednesday's actions will give protesters many different ways to have their voices heard.

Among the day's events, protesters will march on banks, participate in teach-ins and try to close the Port of Oakland this evening.

According to USA Today, however, there are already unconfirmed reports that the Port of Oakland, which is the fifth busiest in the country, has already been shutdown.

[Update: The port is confirmed closed as of Wednesday evening.]

The Los Angeles Times has more on the day's happenings: "Wednesday's events began with a celebratory air, with some attendees in clown costumes and a wide range of ages represented. Rallies and marches were planned on issues pertaining to the Occupy movement's concern over "the 99%" -- those who have increasingly struggled in an economy that has simultaneously benefited Wall Street and the wealthiest 1% of individuals and corporations."

According to Oakland officials, about 5% of the city employees did not show up to work on Wednesday.

The demonstrations on Wednesday come following a call for general strike last week by The General Assembly of Occupy Oakland, the governing body of the protesters. However, as CNN noted, despite the vast majority of the governing body voting in favor of the strike, it is still not entirely clear what exactly the group is actually demanding.

According to the group's proposal, which is posted on the Occupy Oakland website: 

We as fellow occupiers of Oscar Grant Plaza propose that on Wednesday November 2, 2011, we liberate Oakland and shut down the 1%.

We propose a city wide general strike and we propose we invite all students to walk out of school. Instead of workers going to work and students going to school, the people will converge on downtown Oakland to shut down the city.

All banks and corporations should close down for the day or we will march on them.

The group called for a strike after a police crackdown on October 25, which resulted in the injury of Iraq War Veteran Scott Olsen.

[View the story "Occupy Oakland" on Storify]