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PUEBLO's POSITION ON CRIMINALIZING SIDESHOW SPECTATORS
PUEBLO'S POSITION ON CRIMINALIZING SIDESHOW SPECTATORS
THE MAYOR WILL NOT STAND ON OAKLAND'S BACK TO REACH SACRAMENTO!
Mayor Brown's proposed criminalization of spectators of 'sideshows' has moved certain neighborhoods in Oakland one step closer to 'lockdown' status.
The language of the Ordinance is overly broad, and puts the City at risk of 'selective enforcement.' First Amendment protection of freedom of assembly is compromised and the burden of proving innocence falls on those cited --- without the benefit of a public defender.
This Draconian measure is being proposed despite proposals by Council members and others to provide an alternate venue for 'sideshow' events, which have been ignored.
There is no question that those cited and forced to pay hefty fines are likely to fall in the lower economic bracket and, most often, will be people of color.
Like the failed 'anti-loitering' ordinance that promised a miracle cure for street-level drug dealing, this measure is another reckless, quick fix promise intended to get those frustrated with sideshows off the Mayor's back, as he seeks the Office of Attorney General.
Mayor Brown's proposed criminalization of spectators of 'sideshows' has moved certain neighborhoods in Oakland one step closer to 'lockdown' status.
The language of the Ordinance is overly broad, and puts the City at risk of 'selective enforcement.' First Amendment protection of freedom of assembly is compromised and the burden of proving innocence falls on those cited --- without the benefit of a public defender.
This Draconian measure is being proposed despite proposals by Council members and others to provide an alternate venue for 'sideshow' events, which have been ignored.
There is no question that those cited and forced to pay hefty fines are likely to fall in the lower economic bracket and, most often, will be people of color.
Like the failed 'anti-loitering' ordinance that promised a miracle cure for street-level drug dealing, this measure is another reckless, quick fix promise intended to get those frustrated with sideshows off the Mayor's back, as he seeks the Office of Attorney General.
For more information:
http://www.peopleunited.org
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There is no reason to provide a venue for thuggery. Perhaps these "youth" should stay home and study, thereby avoiding failing in school and becoming another drain on the system.
"Thuggery??" It's a fair assumption that you, Dave, don't know any of the young people involved in the sideshows. I mean, you don't know them personally, you don't know their names, know nothing about their home lives or their academic lives. I don't know them either and I also may not agree with their choices for after hours entertainment. That is irrelevant to the reality that this particular set of young people are continously being targeted just for their appearance (their skin color, their clothing, etc.). Staying at home and studying is no guarantee for not failing in school. The educational system in the U.S., especially in low-income communities, is the thing that is failing children and teenagers. The "drain on the system" are the beliefs such as yours that presuppose what is best for others.
It's not about race. It's about illegal, dangerous activity. People get injured, and some get stabbed and shot, like the two Latino guys in West Oakland. "Youth" are allowed to make whatever choices about their future they want to, just as long as you don't come whining to me when you end up dirt poor or working for minimum wage because you don't have the skills to do anything else. And stop blaming the schools - those same crappy inner city schools have lots of poor, immigrant Asian kids that go on and succede.
Well, I do know some of the guys engaging in this sort of behavior and yes, they tend to be uneducated and if not thugs, they certainly emulate the lifestyle. Time would be much better spent riding a bike, playing ball or engaging in some other physical activity so they can get this energy out of their systems without potentially running someone over.
And its not only immigrant Asian kids who are doing better, immigrant kids from Africa and the Caribbean are doing better as well. The problem is not completely the schools fault. We need to examine what is going on in our families and communities.
And its not only immigrant Asian kids who are doing better, immigrant kids from Africa and the Caribbean are doing better as well. The problem is not completely the schools fault. We need to examine what is going on in our families and communities.
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