Friday marks the second anniversary of the eviction of Occupy Oakland campers from their downtown home and the ensuing street battles between police and protesters.

It's also the day that thousands of public safety officers from across the Bay Area -- and around the world -- will descend on downtown Oakland for the start of a three-day training exercise.

While Urban Shield 2013 is designed to prepare first responders to better handle terrorist attacks and natural disasters, critics say it's accelerating the militarization of local police departments -- a trend they think helps explain the violent police response to the Occupy protests two years ago.

Demonstrations are scheduled for outside the Oakland Marriott City Center Hotel Friday morning where about 100 vendors will market their weapons and equipment to law enforcement officials. In the evening, protesters plan to rally at nearby Frank Ogawa Plaza, the former home of Occupy Oakland, and dine on roasted pig to show their distaste for Oakland's police force.