Perata wants kids off Oakland streets

Oakland Tribune, Nov 2, 2006 by Cecily Burt

OAKLAND -- Violent times call for unorthodox solutions. So with Oakland's grim homicide toll at 126 and growing, state Sen. Don Perata surrounded himself Wednesday with the roar of Oakland's black motorcycle clubs.

The hope, he said, while standing in a courtyard at the ACORN housing complex in West Oakland, is that rather than hanging out on street corners where they can quickly become victims or perpetrators, young people will see there are safer social outlets such as motorcycle clubs.

Perata, D-Oakland, and core neighborhood activists in East/West Oakland, San Antonio/Fruitvale and Richmond's tough Iron Triangle neighborhood joined forces this summer in a violence prevention initiative to engage youth in positive activities and extend support and education to ex-offenders who otherwise might commit crimes and return to prison.

For some, motorcycle clubs such as the East Bay Dragons, Bay Area Bosses and Wise Guys, or organizations such as the CEOs (Classy Educated Ones), might be an attractive alternative to sports and recreation programs and cultural outlets that offer dance, music and art, Perata said. The clubs and their colorful rides will be featured at a community celebration in West Oakland on Saturday.

"Honestly, any approach you could take, I'm down with it," said Branden Williams, 22, who grew up in the ACORN complex and moved to Los Angeles to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and launch his own clothing line FIVEFOUR. He comes back often to visit family and friends, and said too many of his acquaintances have fallen to violence.

"Now is radical times; it takes radical measures," he said.

Darnell Pierre, sergeant at arms for the Bay Area Bosses in East Oakland, likened his club to a fraternity of sorts, which he joined before he owned a motorcycle. Pierre said he coaches Little League and talks to young people hanging out on the corners when they should be in school.

"We try to tell them not to follow the crowd," he said. "I've gone to their schools with them because their parents don't go.

"We have pride and respect and we're trying to push that on the kids in the neighborhood," he said.

Ronald Muhammad of the ACORN resident council, said the clubs get too little recognition for good works, such as clothing, food and gift drives. He welcomes their commitment to help quell the violence.

"With 126 deaths in Oakland, you have to think outside the box," he said.

Saturday's Unity In Community celebration at ACORN, 1143 10th St. will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be music, activities, barbecue and motorcycles.