San Francisco Chronicle
OAKLAND, Calif -- In the days before the close of the murder trial for Johannes Mehserle, the former police officer who killed Oscar Grant, the Bay Area was abuzz with “concern” about Oakland. What would those people in Oakland do if they weren’t happy with the verdict? Would they riot? Would there be looting?
Well, there were a number of people in Oakland who weren’t happy with the verdict of involuntary manslaughter. And there were instances of violence and looting in Oakland - despite the best efforts of community leaders to keep the protests peaceful and nondestructive.
It must be noted that about 75 percent of those arrested on suspicion of crimes after the verdict Thursday were from outside of Oakland, according to Police Chief Anthony Batts. Many of them are anarchists. From their alleged actions, it is difficult to believe that they were interested in the case, or, for that matter, the city of Oakland.
For the residents of Oakland who assembled to peacefully protest the verdict, the actions of these few are insulting and unfair. They besmirch the reputation of the city, which is often unfairly cast as a violent cauldron, ready to blow at the least provocation.
The truth is that for months, community and civic leaders encouraged residents to participate in peaceful protests. For the most part, they succeeded. The small group of outsiders who decided to smash things didn’t draw in the rest of the city. Instead, they were isolated in a one-block area, doing their destruction on their own.
Unfortunately, that’s not the story that most people will remember when they think back on this event in the years to come. Instead, they’ll remember that Oakland reacted “violently,” or with “riots.” They won’t remember that a band of troublemakers came in from out of town because they were looking for an excuse to cause trouble. Oakland deserves a better story.
The best way for Oakland residents to get that story is to continue doing what the vast majority of them did Thursday - protest peacefully, act constructively and refuse to be drawn into the shenanigans of those who want to be part of the problem, not the solution.
Copyright 2010 San Francisco Chronicle