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People's Block Party Supplants Oakland Police Copaganda Effort, Saves Home
Word got out that the Oakland police department had intentions to do neighborhood outreach in West Oakland on October 18. Knowing that OPD holds public relations events such as these to whitewash their earned reputation as racist, violent, and corrupt, the Anti Police-Terror Project set out to prevent OPD from exploiting local residents for a propagandistic photo op. As a bonus, a man's home was saved from being confiscated by the police.
[Impromptu blockade stops the theft of a mobile HOME by Oakland police.]
Oakland police planned their copaganda event for 3pm at 24th and Linden Streets, so the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) beat them to it by arriving a little after 1:30pm.
As tents, a children's play area, and a barbecue were being set up for a community block party, folks noticed a tow truck a few houses up the street preparing to make off with a parked recreational vehicle while a civilian Oakland police technician supervised.
Just as the tow truck began to drive away with a man's home, several people rushed in front of the truck, preventing it from leaving.
An ever growing number of police showed up, assuring those blocking the truck's path that the theft was justified because a citizen had filed a complaint and there were legal violations with the camper. The cops said it wasn't their decision. Unconvinced that taking someone's home was anything other than wrong, protesters refused to budge.
About an hour later, after plenty of back and forth with various police officers, it was agreed that the tow truck would release the RV and the owner would be afforded time to take care of legal requirements for a non-operational vehicle.
Cheers went up as the tow truck and the police left the scene. It was a completely unanticipated yet welcomed victory. It was a real achievement, making a big difference for the man who was about become homeless. Considering the massive gentrification and displacement happening in Oakland, however, the scope of the win was extremely limited.
It was simply bad luck on the cop's part that the APTP was present and decided on the spot to intervene. Similar theft of the property of poor people happens unimpeded every day in the city, often encouraged by gentrifying newcomers who are quick to call the police to file complaints about less fortunate long-time residents.
Neighborhood residents initially viewed the block party being set up with suspicion, openly wondering if it was the reason police were doing a towing sweep of the area. Once they saw APTP jump into action, risking arrest to save the man's home, people warmed up.
And once the police were gone, the block party proceeded cop-free until shortly before 6pm, feeding dozens, handing out fliers warning police not to use residents as props for photo ops, and gathering signatures for the effort to recall Mayor Libby Schaaf.
After the tow truck incident, and with APTP having claimed the intersection before police could get there to begin their community outreach, OPD didn't return that day.
The event was considered such a success that APTP is looking to host similar block parties on a monthly basis, possibly adding health care and other public services to the offerings.
Oakland police planned their copaganda event for 3pm at 24th and Linden Streets, so the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) beat them to it by arriving a little after 1:30pm.
As tents, a children's play area, and a barbecue were being set up for a community block party, folks noticed a tow truck a few houses up the street preparing to make off with a parked recreational vehicle while a civilian Oakland police technician supervised.
Just as the tow truck began to drive away with a man's home, several people rushed in front of the truck, preventing it from leaving.
An ever growing number of police showed up, assuring those blocking the truck's path that the theft was justified because a citizen had filed a complaint and there were legal violations with the camper. The cops said it wasn't their decision. Unconvinced that taking someone's home was anything other than wrong, protesters refused to budge.
About an hour later, after plenty of back and forth with various police officers, it was agreed that the tow truck would release the RV and the owner would be afforded time to take care of legal requirements for a non-operational vehicle.
Cheers went up as the tow truck and the police left the scene. It was a completely unanticipated yet welcomed victory. It was a real achievement, making a big difference for the man who was about become homeless. Considering the massive gentrification and displacement happening in Oakland, however, the scope of the win was extremely limited.
It was simply bad luck on the cop's part that the APTP was present and decided on the spot to intervene. Similar theft of the property of poor people happens unimpeded every day in the city, often encouraged by gentrifying newcomers who are quick to call the police to file complaints about less fortunate long-time residents.
Neighborhood residents initially viewed the block party being set up with suspicion, openly wondering if it was the reason police were doing a towing sweep of the area. Once they saw APTP jump into action, risking arrest to save the man's home, people warmed up.
And once the police were gone, the block party proceeded cop-free until shortly before 6pm, feeding dozens, handing out fliers warning police not to use residents as props for photo ops, and gathering signatures for the effort to recall Mayor Libby Schaaf.
After the tow truck incident, and with APTP having claimed the intersection before police could get there to begin their community outreach, OPD didn't return that day.
The event was considered such a success that APTP is looking to host similar block parties on a monthly basis, possibly adding health care and other public services to the offerings.
For more information:
http://www.antipoliceterrorproject.org
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