Occupy Wall Street protesters in Oakland are preparing for a citywide general strike today that will include marches, picketing outside banks, and an attempt to shut down the nation’s fifth-largest port. The staffs at two Oakland elementary schools and a small high school have decided to close their campuses for the day due to the strike. City officials also have agreed to allow “non-essential” government workers to use vacation, personal or furlough days to participate in the strike. Meanwhile, the city’s police union has slammed Oakland Mayor Jean Quan for her handling of the protests. In an open letter, the police union wrote, “Is it the city’s intention to have city employees on both sides of a skirmish line?”