Local artists and activists held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the East Oakland Youth Development Center on Saturday afternoon, to unveil a public art installation calling attention to the steep rise in gun violence in the city since the start of the pandemic. Dubbed the “Peace in the Streets Neighborhood Beautification Project,” the installation consists of 52 street pole banners depicting images and messages intended to amplify the voices of residents whose lives have been impacted by violence.
“Art has the power to change minds, and reprogramming our minds with positive and loving messaging is vitally needed in our community,” wrote Tanya Dennis, the board chair for Adamika Village’s #StopKillingOurKids movement and one of the project’s main organizers, in a press statement.
The banners will be displayed in the coming days along a stretch of International Boulevard between 73rd and 86th Avenue. The location of the banners was intentional, as a majority of Oakland’s gun violence has occurred in the East Oakland flatlands. The Oakland Police Department documented 61 murders in the city as of June 27 compared to 32 in the same time frame last year, or an 91% increase.
Ribbon cuttion ceremony of the Peace in the Street Banner Project. From left to right, Una Thurman, Regina Jackson, Chief of Police LeRonne Armstrong, Cathy DeForest, Daryle Allums, Tanya Dennis, Council Member Loren Taylor. Oakland, Calif. Saturday, Jun 26, 2021. Photo by Harvey Castro 
Daryle Allums speaking to a small group that gathered underneath the Adamika Village Banner on 84th Avenue and International Boulevard in Oakland on Saturday, June 26, 2021. Credit: Harvey Castro 
After the ribbon cutting ceremony a small group gathere for photo under the Adamika Village Banner on the corner of 84th and International. Oakland, Calif. Saturday, Jun 26, 2021. Photo by Harvey Castro 
“Children don’t pick up a gun; children don’t burn down the village unless children feel like they haven’t been getting the warmth from the village. So we have to start addressing root causes, which is a longer-term strategy.” Guillermo Cespedes, Chief of Violence Prevention, speaking at the East Oakland Youth Center. Oakland, Calif. Saturday, Jun 26, 2021. Photo by Harvey Castro 
Kenny Johnson (24) rests his chin on his mom’s shoulder, Rochelle Owens Johnson. Kenny was shot ten times when whe was fourteen. This coming November 6th will be the 10th year anniversary of the shooting. Ms. Johnson shares that every year on the anniversary of the shooting she holds a healing circle for Kenny. Oakland, Calif. Saturday, Jun 26, 2021. Photo by Harvey Castro 
Mama Melva, closing out the day’s event with a prayer. Oakland, Calif. Saturday, Jun 26, 2021. Photo by Harvey Castro
The banner project was created in collaboration with young people under the guidance of Vision Quilt, an arts-based violence prevention program. “Oakland’s youth are dedicated to bringing peace to the city, but we need the adults to listen and support their efforts,” wrote Cathy DeForest, the organization’s executive director.
The project was endorsed by City Councilmembers Loren Taylor (District 6) and Treva Reid (District 7), and funding for the art installation was supplied by a mini-grant from Oakland’s Department of Violence Prevention, additional funds from the Black Cultural Zone, and individual donations made to Vision Quilt.
Oaklandside contributing photojournalist Harvey Castro attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony where he took pictures and recorded audio interviews with some of the organizers and residents in attendance. You can listen to snippets of those conversations by clicking on the portraits below.
