The trial of some members of the violent police gang who call themselves the "Oakland Riders" begins 5/28 at the Alameda County Courthouse. Turned in by a rookie cop, three Oakland cops will face criminal charges on 44 felony and misdemeanor counts, including charges of planting drug evidence, kidnapping and severely beating innocent people. A fourth cop who was to stand trial, Francisco Vazquez, is still a fugitive after fleeing the Bay Area. A report by A.C. Thompson suggests that the Oakland District Attorney is intentionally sabotaging the prosecution of these officers, while ignoring complaints that at least 25 other active Oakland officers are still involved in Riders-related activities. Protests and community events will probably be planned around the trial. Oakland has historically been and continues to be a battleground in the fight against police brutality.