Saturday, October 15, 2005

Anti-gang protest targeted by violent criminals


TOLEDO, Ohio - A crowd instigated by several gang members protesting a local anti-gang activist march Saturday turned violent, throwing baseball-sized rocks at police, vandalizing vehicles and stores, and setting fire to a neighborhood bar, authorities said. At least 65 people were arrested and several police officers were injured before calm was restored about four hours later. Authorities blamed the rioting on gangs taking advantage of a volatile situation. State of emergency, set an 8 p.m. curfew through the weekend, and the Highway Patrol for deployed for assistance.
Just like in New Orleans right after the Hurricane Katrina, the urban gangs took advantage of the situation to create chaos and anarchy once again. Just like in U.S. - the existence of the growing threat of urban-based gangs became an issue in Canada. Consisted of mostly urban youth of lower classes - these people are capable of causing anarchy and chaos, as well as random gun crimes, drug trade, rapes, and gang murders. In this dangerous and growing trend the worst thing is that these people often target what is referred to by them as "snitches" or citizens who "dare" to report the gang activities to the police authoritiess. Fueled by violent, misogynist, and hateful rap music, as well as negative stereotypes constantly reinforced by media and the likes of MTV/BET - this is an issue that must be dealt with accordingly.
In my view - these activities are equivalent to terrorism, and in post 9/11 world government authorities should have zero tolerance to the perpetrators of latter.