Here's what's being sent around from the City to neighborhood groups and email lists:

Preparing for the Oscar Grant Verdict *

It is possible the verdict in the trial of BART Officer Mehserle in the Oscar Grant case may leave many people feeling a sense of outrage, anger and injustice. We ask that you be BOTH committed to social justice by putting an end to police brutality AND a peaceful and thriving Oakland.

* There's no question - Police brutality is wrong.

* But the question is what do we do with our anger? Do we use it to make change or do we use it to destroy each other and our community?

* There are constructive ways to have your voice heard - join a speakout or make music to express yourself.  Check out websites of some of the many Oakland organizations dedicated to social justice issues:

o Urban Peace Movement http://urbanpeacemovement.org

o Ella Baker Center for Human Rights - http://www.ellabakercenter.org

o Youth Together - http://www.youthtogether.net

o Youth UpRising - http://www.youthuprising.org

* Beware of 'outside agitators' who are not from Oakland and who will try to incite violence. Oakland is OUR HOME, it's not theirs, and they don't care if we mess our city up. And, they won't be there for you if YOU get caught-up by the police.

* Lets not let these agitators make a bad situation worse.

On the day the verdict is released, we advise all people to stay where they are or be at home. However, if young people need a place to go, the following Parks and Recreation Centers and youth serving organizations will be open as places for you to cool off and express yourself in positive ways:


* East Bay Asian Youth Center - 2025 East 12th Street, 510/533-1092

* Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center - 7701 Krause Avenue, 510/615-5755

* Mosswood Recreation Center - 3612 Webster Street, 510597-5038

* Youth Uprising - 8711 MacArthur Blvd., 510/777-9909

* Urban Services at the YMCA - 3265 Market Street, 510/652-5530

Thank you to the Urban Peace Movement for formulating some of the content.

Update: Oakland Local checked in with the Urban Peace Movement and got some important information from them we'd like to pass on:

Urban Peace Movement is not encouraging people to stay home.  We are encouraging BOTH youth and adults who are angry with the situation to find positive, proactive and peaceful ways to have their voices heard and to call for justice and an end to police brutality.

Urban Peace Movement is one of many organizations who are thinking about how to keep the peace in this very emotionally charged situation.  Other organizations include Youth UpRising, EBAYC, RJOY, Ella Baker Center, Destiny Arts Center, and a host of others.

Thirdly, as a community, we have to play a fine line of being prepared, but not presuming that people, especially young people, are going to riot, because sometimes those kind of presumptions can exacerbate already high tension.

Peace, everyone.

Coverage of the verdict will continue on Oakland Local. See OL's previous coverage of the Oscar Grant case here. Follow trial on twitter @OscarGrantTrial; follow local news at @oaklandlocal

Coverage of the Mehserle trial was done in collaboration with partners including  New American Media, KALW, Placeblogger and Spot.us.

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