Oakland Rallies Against Gang Injunctions

On Thursday, April 22nd, around a hundred community members rallied outside a courthouse in Oakland to oppose a controversial gang injunction proposed by City Attorney John Russo. The proposed injunction, filed in February, targets the so-called "North Side Oakland" gang. It would criminalize everyday activities, including "driving, standing, sitting, walking, gathering, or appearing" in public with suspected gang members, in a 100 square block area of North Oakland.

Community members spoke out against the proposal, saying that it does not address the root causes of violence, relies on racial profiling, strips people of their constitutional rights, and threatens to push poor and working class people of color out of North Oakland. Protesters also pointed out that the injunction would cost the city almost half a million dollars, money that could be used on education and youth programs.

"To create real safety in our communities, we need to invest in education, community centers, affordable housing, and jobs for youth, not more policing," said Manuel Fontaine of All of Us or None, an organization that is part of the coalition opposing the gang injunction. "This injunction will break up families, push people out of their neighborhoods, and increase racial profiling. It will send young people to prison for associating with their friends, or dressing a certain way. Our young people need more opportunity and support, not more police harassment."

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California has also come out against the gang injunction and has filed an amicus brief with the court considering the proposal. The ACLU raised concerns that the injunction would give police officers too much discretion, giving them the power to designate someone a gang member and then subject that person to severe restrictions without ever having to present evidence to a judge.

After the rally, some protesters went inside the courthouse to observe a hearing on the gang injunction before Judge Robert Freedman. A decision on the proposed injunction is still pending, and the next hearing is scheduled for May.

For more information, visit stoptheinjunction.wordpress.com.