Tuesday Tazer Updater
Good evening Tazer Faithful!
Let's start off with a recap of Richmond's Cinco De Mayo Celebration...The Tazer is pleased everything went peacefully for the most part. (Article credit: Karl Fischer CC Times):
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By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
The audience arrived early, but the parade never came.
For the first time in several years, the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Richmond featured no smashed windows, sideshows or massive fights on 23rd Street.
Several hundred teens and young adults began lining 23rd Street about 4 p.m., many draped in Mexican flags, shouting and waving at passing cars.
But after more than 100 police officers closed the road to traffic between Barrett and Rheem avenues to the Richmond city limit, the crowds spent the rest of the evening peering quietly at police vehicles parked in the middle of the street.
The closure was intended to stop the cruising that has attracted violent crowds in recent years. Young people normally drive the length of 23rd Street waving flags and interacting with pedestrians, who pack the sidewalks.
But during the past four years, the fun activity devolved after the sun went down and families went home. Fights broke out, cruisers drove too quickly or recklessly, and in some cases vehicular sideshows took place.
Police would then attempt to disperse the crowd by closing 23rd Street and moving people to side streets. Some took umbrage and used the move as an opportunity to lash back against the police and the community.
Police feared a similar scenario heading into a weekend-night Cinco de Mayo this year, particularly given the widespread sense of anger and cultural solidarity expressed by thousands of local Latinos earlier this week during protests against federal immigration legislation.
But with police closing the street early on Friday night, the mood remained generally mellow and nobody lingered for long.
A boisterous but generally well-behaved crowd waved flags, danced in the street, and yelled "Viva Mexico!"
Police Chief Chris Magnus spent his time traveling along 23rd Street and talking with people, at one point politely declining a crowd's exhortation to "spin 'em" -- a reference to spinning tire doughnuts with his police vehicle.
"We're very pleased at how things have worked out," Magnus said about 8:30 p.m. "Really what we have are a couple hundred young people who began coming out about 5 o'clock looking for something to do. They've generally been well-behaved, and we hope things continue this way."
Many onlookers, such as 22-year-old Ismael Gomez, arrived in hopes of seeing cruising cars. Most went away disappointed.
"We were hoping they were going to be cruising. They always have in the past," said Gomez, who brought along his 18-month-old son, Ismael Nicholas. "We'll probably hang around here for a little while."
Meanwhile, dozens of yellow-shirted volunteers distributed fliers advertising today's city-sanctioned parade and festivities at a local Catholic church.
The flavor of the gathering changed as the evening wore on.
A minor fistfight occurred about 6 p.m., and there were a couple of smashed bottles. Later there was a non-injury fight at 23rd and Gaynor Avenue. And near McBryde Avenue, a fist-sized chunk of concrete and several rocks were thrown at police officers.
As the sun went down, a small core of revelers remained defiant and saw the situation as a test of will between the crowd and police of who could remain longer.
"Everyone's playing chicken, but they're gonna lose," 21-year-old Tushay Williams said of the police. "This is a public street and we happen to be the public."
At one point, Richmond City Councilman John Marquez spoke in Spanish over a patrol car loudspeaker, urging the crowd to go home. His comments were met with jeers and profanity.>>>See Tazer Note Below<<<
About 9 p.m., two dozen Richmond police officers donning helmets formed a line at 23rd and Visalia Avenue to disperse any unruly pedestrians if needed.
But the confrontation fell far short of the violence that ensued last year when police tried to close 23rd Street after thousands had already gathered there, resulting in thrown rocks and bottles, damaged cars and broken windows at nearby businesses.
Five arrests were made during the evening: Three for disturbing the peace, one for public drunkenness and one for suspicion of assault. There was some minor vandalism, police said.
Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com.
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TAZER NOTE: I suppose at this point, some progress is better than no progress. Kudos to the Chief and RPD for keeping things under control...as for Mr. Marquez...you might wanna quit while you're ahead...as with most issues dealing with city politicians, people don't wanna hear you babble :)
TAZER REMINDER:
Tazer Friend Charlene Harris and MASK are having a wonderful event this coming Saturday, May 13th:
MOTHERS AGAINST SENSELESS KILLINGSPRESENTSA ÂM.A.S.K. HEALING GARDEN DEDICATION CEREMONYÂ & 2 ND ANNUAL COMMUNITY CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL
THEME: ÂNO MORE RETALIATIONSÂ
PRESENTED BY: SURVIVOR EVANGELIST JACKIE THOMPSON.
WHEN: MAY 13, 2006
WHERE: BOOKER T. ANDERSO ANDERSON JR. COMMUNITY CENTER
TIME: 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
A LIVE BUTTERFLY RELEASE, CHILDRENÂS EDUCATIONAL BOOK GIVEAWAYS, GOSPEL MUSIC, SURVIVORS POETRY SLAM, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND DELICIOUS FOOD.
A DAY TO PROMOTE PEACE & HEALING WITHIN OUR HOMES,NEIGHBORHOODS & COMMUNITIES.
SPONSORED BY: THE OFFICE OF VICTIMS OF CRIME/DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, KAISER PERMANENTE, THE CITY OF RICHMOND PARKS & RECREATION, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS, WORLD WALL FOR PEACE, THE BUTTERFLYGARDENERS ASSOCIATION AND MOTHERS AGAINST MURDERPLEASE RSVP:
CONTACT CAMMY: 510. 467.4241 or Email:Khadeyah1@sbcglobal sbcglobal.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please Support MASK Tazer Faithful...they are one of the many local groups providing a great service!
TAZER ACTION: Lots of rumors floating around as it pertains to the boycott and the Violence Prevention movement. The Tazer is monitoring the climate of the situation, and if any news breaks, we will update it right away.
Let's start off with a recap of Richmond's Cinco De Mayo Celebration...The Tazer is pleased everything went peacefully for the most part. (Article credit: Karl Fischer CC Times):
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Karl Fischer
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
The audience arrived early, but the parade never came.
For the first time in several years, the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Richmond featured no smashed windows, sideshows or massive fights on 23rd Street.
Several hundred teens and young adults began lining 23rd Street about 4 p.m., many draped in Mexican flags, shouting and waving at passing cars.
But after more than 100 police officers closed the road to traffic between Barrett and Rheem avenues to the Richmond city limit, the crowds spent the rest of the evening peering quietly at police vehicles parked in the middle of the street.
The closure was intended to stop the cruising that has attracted violent crowds in recent years. Young people normally drive the length of 23rd Street waving flags and interacting with pedestrians, who pack the sidewalks.
But during the past four years, the fun activity devolved after the sun went down and families went home. Fights broke out, cruisers drove too quickly or recklessly, and in some cases vehicular sideshows took place.
Police would then attempt to disperse the crowd by closing 23rd Street and moving people to side streets. Some took umbrage and used the move as an opportunity to lash back against the police and the community.
Police feared a similar scenario heading into a weekend-night Cinco de Mayo this year, particularly given the widespread sense of anger and cultural solidarity expressed by thousands of local Latinos earlier this week during protests against federal immigration legislation.
But with police closing the street early on Friday night, the mood remained generally mellow and nobody lingered for long.
A boisterous but generally well-behaved crowd waved flags, danced in the street, and yelled "Viva Mexico!"
Police Chief Chris Magnus spent his time traveling along 23rd Street and talking with people, at one point politely declining a crowd's exhortation to "spin 'em" -- a reference to spinning tire doughnuts with his police vehicle.
"We're very pleased at how things have worked out," Magnus said about 8:30 p.m. "Really what we have are a couple hundred young people who began coming out about 5 o'clock looking for something to do. They've generally been well-behaved, and we hope things continue this way."
Many onlookers, such as 22-year-old Ismael Gomez, arrived in hopes of seeing cruising cars. Most went away disappointed.
"We were hoping they were going to be cruising. They always have in the past," said Gomez, who brought along his 18-month-old son, Ismael Nicholas. "We'll probably hang around here for a little while."
Meanwhile, dozens of yellow-shirted volunteers distributed fliers advertising today's city-sanctioned parade and festivities at a local Catholic church.
The flavor of the gathering changed as the evening wore on.
A minor fistfight occurred about 6 p.m., and there were a couple of smashed bottles. Later there was a non-injury fight at 23rd and Gaynor Avenue. And near McBryde Avenue, a fist-sized chunk of concrete and several rocks were thrown at police officers.
As the sun went down, a small core of revelers remained defiant and saw the situation as a test of will between the crowd and police of who could remain longer.
"Everyone's playing chicken, but they're gonna lose," 21-year-old Tushay Williams said of the police. "This is a public street and we happen to be the public."
At one point, Richmond City Councilman John Marquez spoke in Spanish over a patrol car loudspeaker, urging the crowd to go home. His comments were met with jeers and profanity.>>>See Tazer Note Below<<<
About 9 p.m., two dozen Richmond police officers donning helmets formed a line at 23rd and Visalia Avenue to disperse any unruly pedestrians if needed.
But the confrontation fell far short of the violence that ensued last year when police tried to close 23rd Street after thousands had already gathered there, resulting in thrown rocks and bottles, damaged cars and broken windows at nearby businesses.
Five arrests were made during the evening: Three for disturbing the peace, one for public drunkenness and one for suspicion of assault. There was some minor vandalism, police said.
Reach Karl Fischer at 510-262-2728 or kfischer@cctimes.com.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAZER NOTE: I suppose at this point, some progress is better than no progress. Kudos to the Chief and RPD for keeping things under control...as for Mr. Marquez...you might wanna quit while you're ahead...as with most issues dealing with city politicians, people don't wanna hear you babble :)
TAZER REMINDER:
Tazer Friend Charlene Harris and MASK are having a wonderful event this coming Saturday, May 13th:
MOTHERS AGAINST SENSELESS KILLINGSPRESENTSA ÂM.A.S.K. HEALING GARDEN DEDICATION CEREMONYÂ & 2 ND ANNUAL COMMUNITY CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL
THEME: ÂNO MORE RETALIATIONSÂ
PRESENTED BY: SURVIVOR EVANGELIST JACKIE THOMPSON.
WHEN: MAY 13, 2006
WHERE: BOOKER T. ANDERSO ANDERSON JR. COMMUNITY CENTER
TIME: 4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
A LIVE BUTTERFLY RELEASE, CHILDRENÂS EDUCATIONAL BOOK GIVEAWAYS, GOSPEL MUSIC, SURVIVORS POETRY SLAM, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKERS AND DELICIOUS FOOD.
A DAY TO PROMOTE PEACE & HEALING WITHIN OUR HOMES,NEIGHBORHOODS & COMMUNITIES.
SPONSORED BY: THE OFFICE OF VICTIMS OF CRIME/DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, EAST BAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, KAISER PERMANENTE, THE CITY OF RICHMOND PARKS & RECREATION, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS, WORLD WALL FOR PEACE, THE BUTTERFLYGARDENERS ASSOCIATION AND MOTHERS AGAINST MURDERPLEASE RSVP:
CONTACT CAMMY: 510. 467.4241 or Email:Khadeyah1@sbcglobal sbcglobal.net
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please Support MASK Tazer Faithful...they are one of the many local groups providing a great service!
TAZER ACTION: Lots of rumors floating around as it pertains to the boycott and the Violence Prevention movement. The Tazer is monitoring the climate of the situation, and if any news breaks, we will update it right away.
posted by Plunda Claus @ 7:44 PM
1 Comments:
At May 09, 2006 11:25 PM,
Anonymous said…
It's about time, Tazer!
Generally good news, I think. Street closures and putting a damper on cruising certainly seemed to keep things cool. Congrats to RPD and involved community groups!
Marquez's heart may have been in the right place, but you can't spell "politician" without "politic." That is, to be shrewd, prudent, and diplomatic...
It's really too bad that most politicians aren't politic.
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