Seminary of the Street stands in solidarity with people of color in low-income neighborhoods, in which it is becoming illegal to gather with friends.

While we are committed to working toward an end to violence in the Oakland streets, we are convinced that gang injunctions are not the way to achieve that end. These measures do not work because they do not address the underlying causes of gang violence, which include poverty, lack of opportunity and a hunger for safety and community that is unmet through other channels. Further, gang injunctions rely on racial profiling and put entire communities of color at risk for greater police harassment, brutality and incarceration. We believe that these measures are moving forward now in order to force low-income people of color out of neighborhoods that are gentrifying. (It is not coincidental that the first three targeted neighborhoods are North Oakland, Fruitvale and West Oakland.)

If you'd like to protest alongside other Seminary of the Street supporters, meet us this Friday, March 4, promptly at 4 p.m. on the corner of 14th Street and Broadway in downtown Oakland to join a rally to stop gang injunctions. We will have signs so that you can find us. To meet up with us later at the rally, text (510) 225-8561.

If you would like more information on gang injunctions and why they are not effective, you can download a full report from Critical Resistance or check out the Coalition to Stop the Injunctions in Oakland.