2/12: Reconsider that cigarette in front of your friendly neighborhood convenience store, as you might be cited for intent to deal drugs. Last night Oakland's City Council passed an ordinance (in a 5 to 3 vote), which builds on existing CA state law, that would allow the police to do just that, i.e. ticket you if they believe you're loitering for the purpose of dealing drugs.

Oakland's ordinance will allow the police to issue citations of up to $500 instead of having the alleged offense be a misdemeanor as required by state law. A person charged with an infraction will not be entitled to a trial by jury and will most likely not be permitted representation by a public defender.

Over 200 people spoke out against the ordinance as a violation of civil liberties. Of those on the council, only Councilwoman Nancy Nadel came out strongly against the measure.

Cities across the country, from Berkeley to Chicago 1992 | 2000, have tried to use anti-loitering laws of various types to get people off the streets, though most have been repealed or defeated because of vocal, public outrage. Whether you're homeless or a group of (poor, black, otherwise non-conforming) kids hanging out, your right to just stand around in public could disappear in Oakland when the City Council votes on the ordinance on Feb 25. Corporate media report | City Council minutes | Black Youth and the Culture of Control