Oakland News: Shooting Of Unarmed Black Teen, Oakland A’s, Art Murmur Today

This Oakland News has a lot in it, so let me start with my video:

Again, on Wednesday, I blogged about a black man who was an alleged Downtown Oakland bank robber. The announcement went like this:

This press release was circulated to Oakland-related message boards: Oakland, CA —Oakland Police investigators released the attached photos of an individual they believe to be responsible for a bank robbery. On March 26, 2013 at approximately 11:46 AM, the suspect entered a downtown bank in the 1900 block of Harrison Street. He approached a teller and demanded money. After committing the robbery, the suspect fled on foot with the loss.Suspect-1 is described as an African-American male in his forties, 5’8”, with a large build, medium-to-dark complexion, shaved head, thin mustache, wearing a short sleeved polo style shirt, light blue, with horizontal stripes.

Now, to criticize myself, because I was angry when I made the video, that is very descriptive. But the problem is the photo doesn’t show the man doing anything other than being in a bank and talking to a teller. Where’s the gun? Was there a note?

So I called and emailed the office of Johanna Walker, and, as she was out on vacation, Sgt Bautista answered the email I sent, then we talked (I also called the investigator on the case, as well, but did not reach him). From the Oakland Police view putting out what gun the man may have used into the media may cause that person to ditch the gun, thus losing a key piece of evidence.

And I see, and now understand that. Indeed, I did make a blog post over at my Oakland Focus Blog. But the trouble is, that assumes you have the right person to start with. Suppose the police were misled?

Oakland Police were misled on the night of the shooting of the unarmed young man.

And on that note about the case of the unarmed Oakland black teenager who was shot, here’s a more in depth news report I found posted on YouTube:

This is just plain awful. The Oakland Police Chief Howard Jordan has to stop sounding like she’s justifying the mistake, because he’s pissing a lot of his own supporters off – including me. Shift gears, Chief Jordan – make an offer to help the family of that young man, please. We’re all behind you, but you’ve got to be behind the people of Oakland, first. The classic motto is “To protect and to serve” – don’t forget the “serve” part.

And the next question: where’s Mayor Quan? Can’t she offer some words to help sooth the situation? I think she can – she should.

Also at fault are Oaklanders who walk with their heads down, and act as if they fear people of color – well, ok, black folks. That has to change, as it’s not “Oakland” – it’s not our way. We have to take our city back from this veiled racism or it will destroy Oakland’s Soul.

The Blockbuster Video That Slammed The City Auditor’s Report

Ok, if you didn’t see the video by Turner Group’s Ken Houston, the one where he says that his black firm was asked by Oakland City Staffer (and friend) Pat Cashman, the city’s point man on the Oakland Army Base Project, to “front” for a white contractor outside Oakland, here it is, below. The video trashes the idea that Councilmembers Desley Woods (D6) and Larry Reid (District 7) forced the city to hire Turner on the Oakland Army Base Project.

Reid and Woods had nothing to do with this. It’s awful.

Watch:

Also, the lawsuit against the Oakland Army Base was dismissed – the one where Oakland Activist Gene Hazzard accused, the developers, the City of Oakland, elected officials, assorted dogs, cats, and cows, of fraud and collusion. I called Gene Hazzard about the news, but he didn’t return my phone call, which is a first for him.

I know Gene’s upset, but the fact is, his claims were a tad off the mark. The entire effort was, and I’ve blogged this before and said this to Gene, fueled by Hazzard’s personal dislike for California Capital Group’s Phil Tagami. That’s not a good reason to file a lawsuit on a big project like the Army Base. Both Gene and Phil are friends – I think Gene should chill about Phil before he gets a heart attack or something, and take him for a drink.

Oakland A’s Baseball’s Back!

The Oakland A’s are back and playing baseball in Oakland! They’re at 2 wins and 2 losses, and play a team with a cheaper payroll than their own, the Houston Astros, tonight. Here’s a video on Youtube, not by me, from Opening Day at the Oakland Coliseum:

Get out to the Oakland Coliseum to cheer on the Oakland A’s, and if you’re on Twitter, make sure to tweet for the A’s to stay in Oakland.

Oakland Raiders Amy Trask Losing Faith

A friend told me that Oakland Raiders CEO Amy Trask seems to be losing faith in the new regime under Marc Davis and GM Reggie McKenzie. She’s coming into Peet’s Coffee in Montclair without her Oakland Raiders garb on, and doesn’t give positive comments about the organization’s direction to my friend, who sees her in the morning, on occasion, at 5 AM.

Well, that’s not a good sign for the Raiders 2013 NFL Season, and we’re not even at the NFL Draft, yet.

Oakland First Friday Art Murmur:

Today is Friday April 5th, and that means Oakland Art Murmur. It also means we’re having a Tweetup at 6:30 PM at Loring Cafe and to talk about the future of Art Murmur. It’s just a low key meetup – nothing big, so come on down to Loring Cafe at 33 Grand Avenue.

Meanwhile, for Art Murmur itself, the same security procedures as were used before will be in place this evening.

Frank Rose Memorial

According to Mayor Quan, there will be a memorial for the late Frank Rose who to some was the Mayor of East Oakland. Mr Rose helped create the East Oakland Boxing Association (EOBA) on 98th Avenue. In Frank Rose’ memory, many of his friends and the EOBA, Allen Temple Church, and the Block by Block Organizing Network (BBON) are gathering at EOBA, 816 98th Ave, on Earth Day, April 20th, 9am-Noon to clean up the neighborhood.