OCO in the News: Recent Press & Video on
the Save Lives Now! Action on May 22, 2008
OCO in the News: Recent Press & Video on
the Follow-up Save Lives Now! Action on July 22
 
 
 

 

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Save Lives Now! Homicide Doesn't Take a Vacation!
OCO Presses City Officials to Keep Their Promises

On July 22nd, after a deadly three days with 8 shootings and 3 more killed, the number of Oakland's homicide victims rose to 74. That same day, as City Council prepared to go on a nine week break, OCO held a press conference on the steps of City Hall. Carrying silhouettes representing the 23 murders since our May 22nd action, over 100 OCO leaders and family members testified to the devastating effects of gun violence on family and community and issued a report card reminding Mayor Dellums and the City Council that none of the violence reduction commitments they made to 3000 people two months earlier had been kept.

"Murder does not take a vacation", said Rev. George Cummings, OCO Co-Chair. "There have been 74 homicides so far this year: last year there were 65. The beat goes on and the city government is not moving quickly enough for us." 

In May city officials committed to pass a resolution in support of the Oakland Strategy and convene working groups at the neighborhood level to implement the strategy within 30 days. "None of this has been done. While our elected officials have turned their attention to other city business, our communities continue to suffer! Gun violence, lack of programs and resources for youth, and other senseless crime is destroying the city", said leaders.

OCO leader Liz Torres, parent coordinator at a Castlemont School, held a paper silhouette in memory of her 15-year-old student Derrick Mixon, whose funeral she attended earlier in the day. "I'm tired to see the kids suffering so much," Torres said. "And kids are being killed on a daily basis." 

Outraged by the senseless murders in Oakland, OCO leaders addressed the City Council Public Safety Committee after the press conference and presented a resolution for their adoption that outlined  the Oakland Strategy. "The residents of Oakland are devastated by the loss of so many Oakland people to violence, with the pain rippling through families, friends and communities, while elected officials fail to keep their promise to support a comprehensive approach to end gun violence. People are expecting officials to follow through," said Pastor Lucy Kolin, OCO Co-Chair. "Every life lost is a life that didn't need to be and it brings pain and fear into the community."

For press and media coverage of the action, visit our recent press page.

If you would like to become involved, please call the OCO office at 510.639.1444. 

 

 

 

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