Police baffled by attacks on liquor stores, add patrols

[saraphen]

A surveillance video showing a dozen men in suits and bow ties filing into a West Oakland liquor store and confronting the manager before destroying rows of liquor bottles provides detailed images that could pinpoint the culprits and lead to hate crime charges, police said Friday.

The men who smashed up San Pablo Liquor at 11:30 p.m. Wednesday staged an almost identical attack about 10 minutes later at another West Oakland corner store, New York Market, police said. Deputy Police Chief Howard Jordan said no suspects have been identified, but the vandals' appearance points to a possible link to the Nation of Islam.

"A bunch of young African American men dressed in black suits, white shirts and bow ties -- consistent with the apparel of members of the Nation of Islam -- vandalized two stores," Jordan said, adding that investigators are taking steps to contact the group's hierarchy. "They told the owners not to sell alcohol in the African American community, and they began to vandalize the property."

No one was hurt in either incident, Jordan said.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl.../26/LIQUOR.TMP

If they want to take back the neighborhood, I can think of some elements in the community to attack that are more dangerous than liqour stores.

[stiab3]

They're probably hoping that the law will take care of the illegal side of things that damage the community.

They're dealing with the legal side - alcohol. Unfortunately, they're breaking the law in doing so.

s3

[Corals]

"A bunch of young African American men dressed in black suits, white shirts and bow ties -- consistent with the apparel of members of the Nation of Islam -- vandalized two stores," Jordan said, adding that investigators are taking steps to contact the group's hierarchy. "They told the owners not to sell alcohol in the African American community, and they began to vandalize the property."

That in itself does not prove that it was members of the Nation of Islam. The community were most likely aware of the situation and others could have easily dressed in black suits etc, and carry out their dirty work. That kind of behaviour does not describe the Nation of Islam; then again, you never know, with the young ones who are jumping onto the bandwagon.

[goodcookinmama]

this is interrsting when in oakland way back these people were good for the city i hope that they can reach out to help the black kids of oakland. do you know that when you hit oakland all you smell is bomb weed .oakland is out of control i go to the parmount to see concerts and my madear plays and what not. its pleanty to do but the city is just to hard core and need to be lead by these folks maybe they can get to our young kids in oakland in order or at least reach some of them any little thing helps

[stiab3]

Originally Posted by Corals

That in itself does not prove that it was members of the Nation of Islam. The community were most likely aware of the situation and others could have easily dressed in black suits etc, and carry out their dirty work. That kind of behaviour does not describe the Nation of Islam; then again, you never know, with the young ones who are jumping onto the bandwagon.

You're right. It could be impersonators making look like NOI.

But I don't really know what the MO or what kind of behaviour to expect from Nation of Islam anyway.

s3

[charliekilothree]

Originally Posted by saraphen

If they want to take back the neighborhood, I can think of some elements in the community to attack that are more dangerous than liqour stores.

Do you mean start whipping the drug dealers butts for selling poison in the hood?:whistling

[MadameX]

Originally Posted by Corals

That in itself does not prove that it was members of the Nation of Islam. The community were most likely aware of the situation and others could have easily dressed in black suits etc, and carry out their dirty work. That kind of behaviour does not describe the Nation of Islam; then again, you never know, with the young ones who are jumping onto the bandwagon.

Coral, I agree with you totallly. It sound like to me that their trying to point the finger to NOI. Now unless there is concrete prove, it's would be bias just to go by hearsay.

[Corals]

Nation Of Islam Furious With Police
Claim Racial Profiling
By Erin McCallister

Nov. 26 - KGO - The members of the Muslim Group Nation of Islam are furious at the Oakland police department for what they say is racial profiling. They spoke out Saturday after hearing the way police describe a dozen men who vandalized two liquor stores in Oakland.
Minister Tony Muhammad, Nation of Islam: "That is racial, as well as religious profiling at its' worst."

Members of leader Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam are outraged. They say Oakland police jumped to conclusions when watching surveillance video showing 12 men in suits and ties walking into a liquor store in West Oakland and trashing it. It is one of two stores hit just minutes apart, the men smashing refrigerators and liquor bottles, telling store employees they shouldn't be selling alcohol to African-Americans.

Police confirmed the men who vandalized the stores are black Muslims and say it's a matter of time before they're identified.

Minister Tony Muhammad, Nation of Islam: "Well, if you know who they are, arrest them and bring them to justice. But don't cast a wide net of suspicion over those of us who try to live a righteous life. Just because men dress in suits and ties don't mean all the black men in suits and ties are gang members or thugs, nor do we go and vandalize store merchants."

Local government leaders are also coming forward to support the Nation of Islam.

Desley Brooks, Oakland city councilwoman: "I have worked with these brothers. I know these brothers. I know these brothers to be good people who assist the community and do not commit acts of violence."

Nation of Islam members have reached out to liquor store owners in the area, even meeting with the President of the Yemenie American Grocer's Association to unify. Mohamed Mohamed says he was happy to meet with Nation of Islam members and hopes liquor store owners don't treat any one group of people unfairly out of fear and anger.

Mohamed Mohamed, President Yemenie American Grocers Association: "You establish yourself in a community for a long time to have a good name, and to have people come and vandalize your store like that, like you're nothing, you're useless - that is the issue here."
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?sec...cal&id=3670253
........................
Goes to show how some people are quick to pass judgement without first getting the facts.

[Glow]

Originally Posted by Corals

Nation Of Islam Furious With Police
Claim Racial Profiling
By Erin McCallister

Nov. 26 - KGO - The members of the Muslim Group Nation of Islam are furious at the Oakland police department for what they say is racial profiling. They spoke out Saturday after hearing the way police describe a dozen men who vandalized two liquor stores in Oakland.
Minister Tony Muhammad, Nation of Islam: "That is racial, as well as religious profiling at its' worst."

Members of leader Louis Farrakhan's Nation of Islam are outraged. They say Oakland police jumped to conclusions when watching surveillance video showing 12 men in suits and ties walking into a liquor store in West Oakland and trashing it. It is one of two stores hit just minutes apart, the men smashing refrigerators and liquor bottles, telling store employees they shouldn't be selling alcohol to African-Americans.

Police confirmed the men who vandalized the stores are black Muslims and say it's a matter of time before they're identified.

Minister Tony Muhammad, Nation of Islam: "Well, if you know who they are, arrest them and bring them to justice. But don't cast a wide net of suspicion over those of us who try to live a righteous life. Just because men dress in suits and ties don't mean all the black men in suits and ties are gang members or thugs, nor do we go and vandalize store merchants."

Local government leaders are also coming forward to support the Nation of Islam.

Desley Brooks, Oakland city councilwoman: "I have worked with these brothers. I know these brothers. I know these brothers to be good people who assist the community and do not commit acts of violence."

Nation of Islam members have reached out to liquor store owners in the area, even meeting with the President of the Yemenie American Grocer's Association to unify. Mohamed Mohamed says he was happy to meet with Nation of Islam members and hopes liquor store owners don't treat any one group of people unfairly out of fear and anger.

Mohamed Mohamed, President Yemenie American Grocers Association: "You establish yourself in a community for a long time to have a good name, and to have people come and vandalize your store like that, like you're nothing, you're useless - that is the issue here."
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?sec...cal&id=3670253
........................
Goes to show how some people are quick to pass judgement without first getting the facts.

I think the WHOLE country profiled them. I know that's what I assumed. :whistling

[Corals]

And the drama continues.....

Calif. Liquor Store Trashed, Burned
Tuesday November 29, 2005 3:46 AM
By JUSTIN M. NORTON
Associated Press Writer

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - A liquor store was heavily damaged by an apparent arson fire Monday, just days after it was trashed by well-dressed vandals who told the owners to stop selling to black people, authorities said.

Police had no suspects in the fire, which was reported about 1 a.m. They refused to say whether they believed the blaze at New York Market was connected to vandalism last week at the store and the nearby San Pablo Market and Liquor in West Oakland.

Deputy Police Chief Howard Jordan said police would seek arrest warrants on charges of terrorist threats, conspiracy, vandalism and robbery against six men suspected of trashing the two liquor stores.

Workers at both stores said that a group of about a dozen men dressed in suits and bow ties stormed into the shops, smashed liquor bottles and knocked over racks of food. At least one attack was captured on a video surveillance camera.

``In both incidents, the suspects entered the store and questioned why a Mulsim-owned store would sell alcoholic beverages when it is against the Muslim religion,'' police said in a statement.

The men, all of whom were black, told the owners to stop selling alcohol to black people, authorities said.

Investigators were looking into the incidents as hate crimes because the stores' owners are of Middle Eastern descent and are Muslims, Jordan said.

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was assisting police with the investigation.

Minister Tony Muhammad, West Coast leader for the Nation of Islam, has spoken out against allegations the group was connected to the vandalism and condemned the acts. Oakland police said the group, known for wearing suits and bow ties, was not under investigation.

Police also said their investigation ``concluded that the individuals responsible are not associated with the Nation of Islam, under the leadership of minister Louis Farrakhan, or its mosques and study groups.''
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/s...444406,00.html
.....................
That clears the Nation of Islam.