Outstanding Oscar Grant Trial Coverage by Community Newsmagazine ColorLines |

While the mainstream media outlets focused on the destruction to the city of Oakland during the so-called “riots” following the verdict in the Oscar Grant trial earlier this month, community online newsmagazine ColorLines called attention to the community organizations and activists working hard to promote peaceful protests. 

ColorLines’ coverage throughout the trial provided day-to-day updates with detailed information about the testimonies in the case against BART police officer Johannes Mehserle. Furthermore, ColorLines’ extensive coverage paints a more accurate portrait of the majority of people’s response in Oakland, those who were upset by the involuntary manslaughter verdict but do not believe violence is the answer. Before the verdict was handed down, a youth media organization in Oakland called Youth Uprising made a PSA about Oscar Grant urging the message “Violence is Not Justice!” Local community organizations worked hard to spread the message that they do not condone fighting police brutality with more violence.

Police spent weeks preparing for what they were sure were going to be riots reminiscent of Los Angeles in 1992, when the white officers in the Rodney King beating were acquitted. But immediately after the verdict was handed down, local organizations and community members gathered to give speeches, pray, dance and play music, all peacefully, while heavy armed policemen lined the streets of Oakland. Despite some destruction to businesses, a few trashcan fires, and 83 arrests, the damage caused by protestors was minimal and not enough to be considered a riot, as it was deemed by other news outlets trying to sensationalize the event. Local community activists explained that most of the people instigating trouble were non-locals, who constituted 75% of those arrested. 

In light of the racially motivated nature of this case, it is important to get a journalistic perspective the represents the people of Oakland who feel victimized by the police and disappointed in the justice system. We at Beyond Bullets support honest journalism that speaks for the community and focuses on the positive work that the community is doing to fight violence. We commend ColorLines for their extensive community-based coverage and their incessant work to fight for racial justice.