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A coalition of East Palo Alto groups will hold a City Hall to City Hall march into Palo Alto Sunday to protest Palo Alto Police Chief Lynne Johnson’s remarks about the department’s policy of questioning African Americans.

The East Palo Alto African-American Leadership, the Coalition for Change and One East Palo Alto have invited area residents to participate in “March on Palo Alto: A Rally to End Racial Profiling.”

The march will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday and go from the East Palo Alto City Hall, 2415 University Ave., to the Palo Alto City Hall, 285 Hamilton Ave.

The march is “to expose and eliminate the Palo Alto Police Department’s long-standing practice of racial profiling against African-Americans and other people of color,” according to a press release.

Johnson has been fiercely criticized since she acknowledged at a community meeting last week that the department’s officers were instructed to make “consensual contact” with African Americans. She made the comment while talking about Palo Alto’s recent string of robberies and the department’s response. In 10 of the 16 robberies, perpetrators were described by victims as black males.

Johnson had since apologized, retracted her statements and said her department does not condone racial profiling in any way. She also said she is putting together a plan to repair the damage made by her comments last week.

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151 Comments

  1. Oh great, that is sure to build bridges. All the march is going to do is pit residents of the two towns against one another. A likely side effect is that people in Palo Alto calling for Lynne Johnson’s ouster will now rally around her instead.

    Why don’t the marchers attend the next Palo Alto city council meeting instead, and make their concerns known to the people who actually run the city? It might not get as much air time on TV, but would have a greater effect. Do people want to be agents of actual, lasting change or just shout and stamp their feet?

  2. Well of course, the tv stations have no news now the election is over and it will be a field day for them. We will be all over the nationals on Monday!!

  3. Why don’t they just knock on the felons doors instead and run them out of town? Then they don’t have to complain about racial profiling.

  7. what a waste of time, EPA should get their own house in order before they bother us

    We will be plagued by shakedown artists and lawyers, what they do not realize is that

    WHITE GUILT ended on 11/04/08,
    It is dead, buried one of the faithful departed for ever, it is not an ATM machine or excuse anymore and never will be again, so the marchers, lawyers and shakedown artists may just as well stay home and march against the gangs in EPA which might in fact do some good

    Otherwise they are wasting there time, I hope in rains

  8. Yes, a lot of them do think that way. We have affirmative action where their grades or performance can be less than others and they are chosen over others due to being African-American. How many of them actually take advantage of the programs? They are always thinking they cannot do it because the majority are keeping them down. They are always saying they can’t because of being AAs. Ever see Will Smith’s movie, The Pursuit of Happyness? If more AAs were as hard-working as he, they would go farther in life. Instead, they sit around and complain about the past or try for easy money. One of my best friends is AA and highly accomplished and does not believe in affirmative action.

    The Chinese were abused when they worked on railroads. They have also endured racism. You see them whining about it? No, they just work harder and continue to be successful.

    And no, I am not a “little white bitch”. Can you guess?

  9. To the protesters from East Palo Alto, I say stay at home and wallow in your own crime infested cesspool. Even if Lynne Johnson is removed from office, nothing will change because profiling is good old fashion police work. It’s called improving the odds.

  11. Fill That Chip On Your Shoulder

    The good old boy sistem is still burning strong in this country. If you are an employer and are hiring people for your business and you get three equally qualified individuals one black or hispanic and one white. You will hire the white one. That is the good old boy way. So don’t sit there and say that there is no racism and that people don’t take advantage of programs. Without Affirmative action, this un-seen un-spoken racist good old boy system keeps people down. A few people do stupid crimes and the rest that are trying get hurt by it. as far as the march, thats dumb. EPA should worry about EPA. The march will change nothing……

  12. Me___

    You think the boss is hiring solely based upon ethnic background or race? He probably hires the one he gets along with best, which may be the white, but maybe not. I have no doubt that the good old boy system is still alive, but in a state such as CA, people are more accepting than say, the Midwest. But the Hispanic and African-American applicant should be assimilated to Caucasian society so they are more likely to be chosen by the boss. Otherwise the Caucasian has more in common with the Caucasian boss. Just saying it like it is.

    Yes, it is unfortunate that certain criminals ruin the reputation for the rest. The march is just going to provide resentment.

  13. Hmmmm!!!!! After reading all of those negative responces, I see the sterio-typical behaviors is not only being instilled by the thought of a prejudice police chief, who says she has mis-spoken for the 1000th time in her 30 year tenure, It is also being instilled by private citizens, Who hides and express thier true color in a web post, face it this is who you are. Now 33 years, for Chief Johnson, I mean this has been the policy,for a longtime, Yes!! East Palo Alto is a crime haven, but, we do have intellegent people who are friends or relatives of the litigents. I have no doubt that she was around when “WOOLWORTH”, was on University Ave. I remember the mean staff that worked behind the counter where the stools were off limits as a moral rule, not law!!,… Meaning spit on your sandwich,or in your coffee. Some of the people are marching against the mentallity of it all. If you were not around, then you don’t understand. So I will march even if it rains, for the rain comment.

  14. Who ever said white guilt existed, man sharpens man ,iron sharpens iron. Sharon you are in a world by yourself you speak for yourself, not for us , the United States of America, Obama is the president elected by true Americans, We are the change movement you sound like someone of mature foolishness. GOOD Luck!! November 4, 2008 We gained a president. it had nothing to do with guilt.

  15. The residents of EPA should fix their violent crime problem ASAP, the culture of “No Snitch” is cancerous, as other posters have noted the Chinese put an end to tong thugs in SF by working with the SFPD to identify and get rid of Chinese gang tugs, those in EPA have not stepped up to the plate to rid their community of gangs, it is their task not ours.
    We have a fence or we have have EPA action, to many older PA Asians have been victims. We as a community have been quite so far, no more, this violent crime must end, we need a more vigilant PAPD

    Stop the thugs

  16. Outside Observer, that article you cited told a little about the concerned citizens attending the meeting. It also described at length how the chief apologized a bunch of times, but failed to say what the City Council members said or did. Maybe nothing? Our tax dollars at work.

    The protest march should be interesting to say the least. After the way Shallow Alto freaked out over the anarchist rally, it will probably go nonlinear over this one. They fear outsiders coming to demonstrate even more than they fear global warming. And that is a lot.

  17. actually the police response to the anarchist riots in PA was great and saved lives.

    I recommend a similar massive effort to stop violence for this event, but this time we should bill EPA for the effort.

    White guilt is over, read the polls, no opportunity for shake down artists, what a shame — for them

  19. How embarrassing for East Palo Alto. First the Mayor asks for an apology and now a march! Did you just read that another African American burglarized a Palo Alto home?

  20. Unbelievable. If you live in Palo Alto, do yourself a favor and get yourself an alarm system. Make sure you use it every time you leave your home, and even when you are at home. I think this problem might get worse if these thugs now have a “reason” to justify their despicable behavior. I don’t want to alarm anyone (no pun intended) but if these crimes start to trend towards home-invasions, you should think about starting the process to get a firearm for self protection. At least think about it. If you decided to do it, make sure you take a class first, and store it 100% safely and responsibly. Better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it.

    I’m very sorry to Chief Johnson, but I think she probably needs to go. It might help diffuse this particular situation. Its unfortunate that a slip of the tongue could cost a person so dearly, but its just going to be too hard for her to do her job now.

    We MUST keep our community safe and as crime free as possible. Please be vigilant around your neighborhood and around your schools! A lot of this is a matter of attitude – keep your head on a swivel and be aware and observant!

  21. A march is not the way to go – to some of us it is meaningless and silly and kind of juvenile.
    Makes more sense to speak at PA city council meetings about concerns and have officials comment in the news media.
    What would be best would be to seriously tackle the extreme ongoing crime that dominates EPA, sadly…

  22. Its definitely time for Johnson to go. It would have been a lot better if she had resigned, but since she doesn’t seem willing, she needs to be fired. If the current city council won’t do it, I’ll be contributing to candidates who will.

  23. Let’s see, what was the description of the two men who hit their victim with an aluminum baseball bat? Oh, yeah, among other things, they were black.

    What was the description of the gentleman who was burglarizing the Palo Alto home yesterday and woke the owner? Hmmm, black again.

    When you look at recent crimes in Palo Alto, (other than the financial ones,) where the perpetrator has been seen, you find that many of them have been black. (Yes, there have been hispanics and whites too, no race has a lock on criminal activity.) Given that blacks have been over-represented in criminal activity and are under-represented in the general population, I feel it is fair to look at race among other factors such as dress, gang hallmarks, and whether or not they are carrying baseball bats as a reason to watch out for them. If they are dressed in a suit, well groomed, and carrying a briefcase, no problem. Black, gangsta look, needs a shower, perhaps a little more scrutiny is required.

    Did you hear about the guy who had a very difficult time telling his two horses apart until he noticed that the black one was a few inches taller than the white one? Sometimes it is nice to be able to notice color.

  24. One more thought: How many blacks are in the Palo Alto police department? A few, I believe, and some in higher-ranking posts. I find it hard to believe that our police department or its leadership is racist.

  25. From Shelby Steel

    “……But the larger reality is the profound disparity between black and white Americans that will persist even under the glow of an Obama presidency.
    The black illegitimacy rate remains at 70%.
    Blacks did worse on the SAT in 2000 than in 1990.
    Fifty-five percent of all federal prisoners are black, though we are only 13% of the population.
    The academic achievement gap between blacks and whites persists even for the black middle class.
    All this disparity will continue to accuse blacks of inferiority and whites of racism — thus refueling our racial politics — despite the level of melanin in the president’s skin.” http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-steele5-2008nov05,0,6553798.story

  26. Too “JustMe”….. I couldn’t have said it better myself.

    Chief Lynne Johnson made a slip up. That is not the department policy.

    Let’s get back to protecting our streets and let the police do their jobs!

  27. Your chief blew it – admit it. She recommended racial profiling, which is illegal.

    This march is important and there will be Palo Altans participating in it. This isn’t an “us vs. them” event, but of course you in PA see it that way. You truly believe you’re the center of your PC universes, while you harbor nasty, selfish, bigoted opinions and attitudes. Get over yourselves!

    EPA is working hard to clean up crime. The majority of its citizens are the working poor – and you in PA benefit from that, at many, many levels. It’s a reciprocal relationship and you need EPA as much as it needs you. On a cynical note, plenty of PA residents have been busted for buying drugs in EPA. It’s also where you hire your illegals from. While EPA is slowly changing, you still consider it to be YOUR whipping post, whose job it is to absorb all of your ridiculous emotional, bigoted garbage.

    Guess what? Many EPA residents don’t care for you, care much about you or how important you think you are, because they’re busy going to work, taking care of their families, doing housework, yard work, shopping – all the same things you do, but they lack your self-centered attitude.

    I have NEVER lived adjacent to so many smarmy, self-entitled bigots – and I’m in Menlo!

    This link offers a good snapshot of what racial profilingis and the problems it causes: http://www.ethnicmajority.com/racial_profiling.htm

  28. To E Pluribus Unum:

    Thos problems are not due to lack of ability, I believe that they are due to a lack of drive. It’s cultural, not genetic. The wonderful thing about Obama’s presidency is that it proves that blacks CAN achieve, big-time. It takes away the excuse of “I am black, therefore I can’t, they won’t let me, the world is against me,…” and all that self-pity crap that is holding so many back. I believe that there are some WONDERFUL, bright, talented, and capible children in EPA who are not getting the opprotunity or motivation to excel. I wish I could swoop in there, identify those kids, kidnap them (just kidding) before they get involved in drugs and gangs, and get them on a path to success. I believe that we would all benefit from the use of their skilled talent in our society. I am saddened by the waste of this valuable resource that could help everyone, themselves most of all.

  29. <i>Guess what? Many EPA residents don’t care for you, care much about you or how important you think you are,</i>

    Ahh, but aren’t you glad we still do care about you? We just don’t like getting robbed or hit with baseball bats. That’s all.

  30. I just read another article on Palo Alto Online about an EPA shooting last night……Come on People, stop marching and take care of your city crime issues.

  31. To JustMe –

    “I wish I could swoop in there, identify those kids, kidnap them (just kidding) before they get involved in drugs and gangs, and get them on a path to success.”

    It all starts in the home and how these kids are being raised. It’s the parents that need to swoop in and make a difference in their kids lives.

  32. To Karen:

    I know, but what about kids whos parents don’t care, don’t nurture, don’t make an effort to help their kids? I know I cannot do what I would like to, but I wish I could. A genius kid should not be wasted just because his/her parents are drug addicted felons. He/she needs rescue.

    I can dream, can’t I?

  34. The police department is supposed to protect us!!!!

    They have to look for people who act and look like the people who are committing these crimes.

  37. “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

    Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.

    The nation is sick; trouble is in the land, confusion all around…But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars. And I see God working in this period of the twentieth century. Something is happening in our world. The masses of people are rising up. And wherever they are assembled today, whether they are in Johannesburg, South Africa; Nairobi, Kenya; Accra, Ghana; New York City; Atlanta, Georgia; Jackson, Mississippi; or Memphis, Tennessee, the cry is always the same: ‘We want to be free.’

  38. In response to Karen’s comment-

    There are many people who are doing great work with youth in East Palo Alto. It is important to support (through volunteering and financial contributions, or at least moral support) those organizations that are working with youth directly and, essentially stepping in where their families have stepped out.

  39. I was addressing you and all the PA residents who are against the march. Just call ’em as I see ’em – interpret it as you will – obviously.

  41. The shootings in EPA rarely involve innocents. We do a lot to prevent crime and many of us look our for each other. I had many PA-based friends who felt safer at my place in EPA during the rapes in PA since my neighborhood was active in watching out for each other.

    PA needs to get real about EPA – there is little understanding from PA residents as what life is really like in EPA. Just as in PA, life varies from person to person, neighborhood to neighborhood, depending on many, many variables. While we may the mythical bad guys to PA residents, we truly know better. A relatively small number of thugs can do a whole lotta damage, just as an equally small number of dedicated people can make positive changes. Those changes don’t always make headlines, they don’t always garner outside interest, but they’re their own reward and we don’t need the approval that posters on this thread seem to think we need/desire. I care little about the disapproval of PA residents, but I, as a white, law-abiding resident of EPA, care greatly about what the PA police chief says and does when it violates the law and creates unneeded controversy among people.

    You PA residents SHOULD care how Johnson represents you, as she made you look like backwards bigots for tolerating her.

    These criminals can be caught without your police violating the law, without wasting so much of your time and money cleaning up her mess, but it’s too late now.

    One of the things I love about living in EPA (where there are more whites than blacks, btw) is that we all know that a thug is not determined by ethnic background, but by their actions.

  42. If this ‘March’ is allowed to cross either of those two bridges I DEMAND the heads of The Mayor, the City Manager and the City Council. if they cannot handle the business of Palo Alto, then along with the Chief, bye bye to them too…we don’t need you. I bet there are jobs in EPA….knock yourselves out.

    Instead of issuing a firm statement to this ‘Mayor’ of EPA that Palo Alto can take care of its own business, they have allowed this situation to proliferate until it has blown up in our faces.

    It will cause the Chief to have to be fired or resign, based on the actions and of a DIFFERENT CITY IN A DIFFERENT COUNTY.

    A city that has more problems than ours by far. Anyone remember that not in the too distant past EPA was the MURDER CAPITAL OF THE COUNTRY?

    Do you not realize that with Obama getting the White House that the Mayor of EPA may be playing us to get EPA on the map, to create some kind of race war? RACE CARD IS DELETED FROM THE DECK NOW PEOPLE. Find some new excuse. LEAVE US ALONE!

  43. You may want to listen to the chief’s comments again. What she said would be done *does* constitute racial profiling. If your dept. does it and gets away w/it, that’s one thing, but to *advertise* that’s what is going to be done? STUPID!

    I bet there will be whites in the march.

  45. EPA SHOOTINGS: This is NOT about the demigraphics of EPA. In fact, this wasn’t about EPA at all until your Mayor MADE IT ABOUT EPA. It was about a SUSPECT profile based on victim statements. There may have been different suspects for these crimes, but the suspects were predominently AFRICAN AMERICAN. It is, what it is. Do NOT accuse Palo Altans of being so ignorant that we think African American = Crime. Get over your self righteousness and understand that we have a real problem here that we need to deal with, and your Mayor is making our situation more difficult.

  46. Do you have the ear of all of your politicians? If not, they won’t listen to your rantings. You may want to check into the legality of who can march here and when before you try to stop people from acting on their civil liberties.

    The EPA mayor demanded an apology before the election. EPA has been on the map for a long time, and it’s been quite some time since we had the highest murder rate per capita.

    You of course are entitled to your ignorant opinions, but since you don’t own Palo Alto, you may not get the results you want. Alternatively, you may want to contact those involved in organizing the march to give them your views, or march with them if you’re against racial profiling.

  48. Of COURSE you will be there Resident of Menlo Park. I am reading your postings, you are EXACTLY the person that PaloAtansDemand is referring to. I can see that you are spoiling for a fight. You live in Menlo Park, why the hell don’t you just stay there?

  49. No, *your* police chief is the one who caused this brouhaha by her ridiculous statements. This is on her, not the EPA mayor, or you or me. She has to be taken to task for advising racial profiling, which is illegal, just as the thugs committing the robberies – ALL of them – black AND white, need to be caught. The ax you have to grind against EPA is coloring your view and allowing you to mix up the issues – there are a lot of things going on, and there are complicated dynamics, *beyond* the nasty crimes committed. Parse the issues – otherwise, your city leaders won’t listen to you.

  51. I’m just tired of the PA-centric whining. I support the march because leaders cannot be allowed to get away with the type of palaver Johnson spewed.

    I really don’t care about that PA demands person – especially because it’s one person demanding an apology. If she/he feels so strongly, addressing the EPA mayor directly is the route that should be taken.

    Stay the hell in MP? Why ever would I want to, hmmmm? This is a free country, I can go wherever I want, post wherever I want. Oh, wait, you’re one of those smarmy PA residents who believes they lives in a private little world. Well, please – continue to type away, perpetuating your illusion. I’ll stay in the real world, where civic leaders have to take responsibility for their snafus.

  52. The march is about racial profiling, which is a crime and not to be tolerated, especially when used as a tactic by a police chief.

    Your post is pretty condescending – EPA residents are more aware of the crime stats than you are, so not news to us. Unfortunately, racial profiling isn’t news to EPA residents, either.

  54. Guess I should have known, the minute I left the room the rowdies took over.
    When the percentage of Blacks voting for a white rather than a Black approaches the converse among whites, let me know. Blacks, Push Day and Ofay bashing is out of fashion. Don’t let hoodies get off by waving the race card any more than whites have, in recent years, excused KKK and skinhead violence because of similar pigment. EPA, when are you going to grow up? Remember why you lost your supermarkets.

  56. Palo Altans, have any of you perused these blogs to see where the majority of comments have commenced? EPA. MENLO PARK. Last week, no one was ‘spewing’ about East Palo Alto. They have their dear Mayor to thank for that.

    Don’t let yourselves think this ‘March’ will not have the ability to blow up into something more. History shows such ‘Marches’ have ended in some pretty frightening results.

    Just read the commentary on here, such as the comments made by Resident of Menlo Park. This person is just spoiling for a fight, look for persons like this to fan the flames…

  57. Please Walter, don’t mix something specific in town to be discussed on its on value with the election and other matters by waving the race card. I am white, arrived to Palo alto in 1983 after having lived in Menlo Park and I am quite worried about the Chief’s display of unmeasured insensitivity and lack of respect. I’m afraid there isn’t such thing as “the blacks” or “the whites”. Both come in all strata of society (one will even be sworn as president) , both commit crimes and good deeds ( did you ever learn of the cosa nostra in the bronx or south philly?, or the very white criminal origins of australia? or the violent criminals in North Wales ?).
    Poor people, welsh included, bear a disproportionate burden of crime. Compounding this by remarks disguised as police directives is a sure way to attract protest. The Chief should have thought about this (it reflects on all Palo Altans) before she sends her officers on a hunt…. Peaceful protest is a mark of democracy and for those who might be worried that they or their children might be the target of unwelcome attention by the police this is indeed a good way to tell that to the Chief Johnson and Palo Alto.

  58. If we are going to allow East Palo Alto’s Mayor to make our City’s decisons for us, then why do we have our own Mayor, City Council and City Manager? They are showing themselves to be even more incompetent than Chief Johnson! They could have nipped this in the bud. They chose instead, to throw themselves on the EPA Mayors bandwagon. Let’s hope on Saturday they ride that Wagon back EAST with the rest of the troublemakers!

  60. Has anyone blasting the idea of this march brushed on what is legal/illegal regarding marching? Do you think your online bullying tactics will prevent the march? A good many non-EPA residents will be marching, including people from your city, from Stanford and surrounding communities.

    What city decisions is the EPA mayor making for PA?

    Yes, your chief of police could’ve nipped this in the bud by not suggesting racial profiling as an investigative tactic. But she did, so people have to take legal, peaceful action to hold her accountable, just as your police department has to continue to try to catch criminals.

  61. Our current leadership has no hair. Expect them to cave to the shakedown march from the city that exports their thugs to Palo Alto. Police Chief Johnson actually told the truth: Innocent people are shaken down, one way or another, on a regular basis, in order to catch the actual perp. Just watch the crime channels on TV, as the FBI and local police departments extol their efforts (“we interviewd literally hundreds of possible suspects, based on general descriptions”).

    Larry Klein will cave, and so will the new City Manager. Johnson, will be sacrificed. Don’t expect either of them to actually stand up to the shakedown.

  63. Some have asked how is the EPA mayor calling the shots here? You call screeching for an apology, then a firing then a March on Palo Alto NOT calling the shots? Have YOU seen anything definitive happening from our City leaders except to also slam on Johnson? Have you seen them take any strong measures to stop all of this? I can tell you what they will do, they will allow the Chief to be hung in effigy as a peace offering to that Mayor that started all of this. Then they will proudly hand her head on a Silver Platter to all those who are running with this and hope that is the end of that. Next they will institute some ridiculous panel or some such, to make sure such shameful things never happen again. You know, to make sure that human beings won’t be human beings and make mistakes.

  64. The Chief issued the requested apology. Why doesn’t the EPA Mayor reroute the March through it’s own neighborhoods protesting it’s own crime rate?

    I hope EPA and the Mayor of EPA will be sued by the City Of Palo Alto and/or it’s residents for any damages incurred on Saturday. Also for Police overtime and any other expenses incurred.

  66. Time to drag those dusty 3 ring binders on “sensitivity training”

    it was quite a cottage industry for under employed MFCCs and HR types a way back.

    Put the whole city through some sheep dip training, they will rake in a fortune.

    Bring in some of those “multiculturalist” clowns to pile on too

  69. It is curious to me how the most ardent against the march of these posts do not seem to know even the most basic laws. Palo alto is not a gated community. Nobody is coming into Palo Alto’s turf. We are all in the United states. Peaceful protest is not just allowed, it’s a cornerstone of the right to assemble. Those who think that ignoring the bill of rights is a good idea should try to do without it to see how they like it. Moving somewhere where the right too peacefully assemble is curtailed or curbing their hate just a bit so that it’s not so “on your face” are also options.

    “In the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution it states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Bloom p. 81).

    The right of a citizen to peacefully 1) parade and gather or 2) demonstrate support or opposition of public policy or 3) express one’s views is guaranteed by the freedom of speech and the right to peaceably assemble.”

  70. narnia

    The operative phrase is “the right to peaceably assemble”.
    I was in LA during the rodney king riots, the LAPD would not go out on patrol nor the LAFD, the National Guard did not have ammunition so these was mayhem and slaughter in the streets.

    That could easily happen here, there are lots of guns in EPA and thugs willing to use them.

    The march should be called off, send a deligation or whatever

    better yet forget about the whole thing, if it goes forward there will be national TV here, if there is a televised riot business will suffer even more and real estate will fall.

  71. So now that Obama is President what do we have now? Racial entitlement or racial payback? God Forbid a positive racial message is taken by all this…

    If you are black, not dressed like a thug and going about your business, highly doubtful you will be detained.

    If you come to Palo Alto dressed and acting like a thug and loiter about, well expect to reap what you sow.

    Why all this fuss anyway? If you don’t like Palo Alto, don’t come here. We aren’t the only City on the Peninsula. I sure won’t go hang out in EPA. Why not? BECAUSE I’LL MOST LIKELY GET SHOT! I’d rather be detained.

    Where’s MY apology? I can’t have the freedom to go whereve I choose out of fear for my LIFE because of MY race.

    Hypocrites.

  72. Who cares. I will just stay away from downtown for a day. I would love to see all down town business close during the march. There not going to spend their money here anyway.
    Do your march and then go home.

  73. TJ,

    are you already accusing the marchers of violence? The march has not started yet and the confabulation has already taken root. Why do you think this march is not going to be peaceful? Because those marching are blacks? I have seen plenty of “mainly white “ marches and some of them have turned very ugly and I’ve seen plenty of perfectly peaceful black marches. I hope that the marchers are aware of the provocations that are already been expressed in this forum….
    You’ve chosen the specific chaotic incident with very different causes than the one the Palo Alto marchers refer. I would instead present to you the Selma marches in which the right of peaceful assembly was turned into crime spree by whites.
    Let people assemble and assume that just because most are black they will resort to violence.
    In this forum many want the bill of rights gone. There desire will not be granted.

  74. nice word “Confabulation is the formation of false memories, perceptions, or beliefs about the self or the environment as a result of neurological or psychological dysfunction.[1] When it is a matter of memory, confabulation is the confusion of imagination with memory, or the confused application of true memories.”[2

    Difficult to have a memory of a future event don you think.

    I do remember the rodney king riots, people have already dragged out the hagiographies on Albert Hopkins, linking his beating to this march

    It is a powder keg.

    The fact is that Blacks make up 57% of Federal prison inmates and only 12% of the population. You do the math and calculate the probabilities of violence.

  75. So now your reasoning takes you , “they are all guilty” . What more do we want to condemn them even before the event takes place?
    Had you known the statistics and have good will like an informed person you would have concluded that the poor, (specially those who for many years hadn’t acquired no rights or property) are disproportionately represented in jails. They are also disproportionately represented in wrong convictions and they are the victims in most crime. Short of bad will it seems to me that some minds are set to go in one direction only along the way discrediting information that doesn’t fit their inner need for putting down people of color.

    Confabulation also means conversation or discussion. Apparently when looking for a definition you only take the part that you like or serves your interests. It’s no different when you post. Or do you only have half a dictionary?

  76. The ‘Poor’ are not DISporportionally represented in jails. They are accurately respresented. There are always wrongful convictions, in and for EVERY race. That more goes to the wealthy vs. the poor.

    By the way? In the inner cities, a lot of the ‘wrongful’ convictions usually apply only to that crime. What got a lot of these people don’t understand is that a long rap sheet is usually what put these people under police scrutiny in the first place. Seldom does anyone who has never committed a crime been wrongfully committed.

    Are you saying that because one is poor, then it is ok to commit crime? Your nuances seem to imply that. I am jobless and have about five bucks in my bank account. I am older, have no health insurance, no hope. I live in Palo Alto only by the kindness of others. Should I go out and commit a crime? Should I perhaps rob YOU? Will you be compassionate and understand my angst? Oh wait.

    Oh but wait. I am white. Guess I’m not entitled to feel this way.

    Oh and P.S…..May I remind you about OJ? Black, but wealthy. He is guilty as sin, but until his recent stupid decision, was running about a free man.

  77. Listen, friends,the only answer is a charm offensive.
    I’m quite serious. Anything short of this will reflect very badly on Palo Alto for years to come.
    I propose we graciously welcome the marchers, feed them coffee and donuts, provide them with temporary bathroom facilities, set up a microphone in front of city hall and listen to what they have to say.
    We might even learn something.

    Oh yes, and make sure the mayor, the city council and the police and fire chiefs are there.

    Things sure would be different if I ran this town.

  78. I like the charm offensive idea, though I don’t know i would call it that. Yes, we should welcome them as brothers, treat them kindly, listen to their greivances, perhaps even have a couple busses handy to help them home when they are ready to depart. Hand out “I Love Palo Alto” pins, coffee and juice, set up outdoor seating for the speaches, the whole nine yards. They do have something to say, let us listen to it. I doubt it is properly represented here in this forum.

  79. Oh sure. Charm offensive. Aka: drop your pants and take it where the sun don’t shine.

    Sorry, but I don’t want MY tax dollars in this straitened economy going to pacify, feed or transports a bunch of malcontents from another City.

    We have City Hall meetings. Let them get themselves to one of those. That would be the proper forum in which to express their discontent.

  80. I am afraid I REALLY like the charm idea, and I think we should go with it. I see no reason to insult the good people who will probably predominate the population of that walk. I have friends in EPA, good friends, who are good people, who would be welcome to bring their kids and eat at my table any time. They are god, honest, hard-working people who have easily won my respect and love. I am sure that they are representative of most of the population of EPA, and if they have something to say, I want to hear it.

    Yes there are some people in EPA who I would prefer not to know, every population segment has them, even in Palo Alto. They are a little more concentrated in EPA due to the lower cost of living there, but I am sure that most people over there are wonderful.

    Let’s welcome their walk and hear them out. EPA needs help, and walling them in is not the solution.

  81. Why do not we all sing “Kumbaya”, if Joan Baez is into town she could chip in.

    We could have a huge banner hanging on City Hall saying
    ” Why Cant We Just All Get Along”
    with a touching blow up picture of rodney king holding a cat( not by the neck) a crack pipe and a flower.

    The Chief of police could appears in black face make up with white gloves and give a pretzel twisting apology while the PAPD hands out cookies( donated by Whole Foods) and offer massages.

    Peace in Our Time—- good luck with that

  83. “the only answer is a charm offensive”

    You say? That sounds like Barack trying to charm Iran out of nukes. Why does Palo Alto have to endure thugs from EPA threatening our city? We need leadership that will fight back.

    Is there a leader, anywhere, in Palo Alto, like Rudi Giuliani , that has any balls? Are there ANY real men in Palo Alto? If not, can we get Sarah Palin here to fight back?

    As a woman, I find Palo Alto men to be extremely wimpy (girley men). What is wrong with them?

  84. I bet Tod Palin can set her up with one of his pals. He will likely be a redneck, but he won’t be a “girlyman.”

  85. Dear Jill,

    One wonders wether Palin could find California on the map ( maybe she knows of Atherton where she was refused a fund raiser by great republicans who needed a knowledgeable candidate) but in any case please keep the election out of this forum. It’s OVER.

    I am for the doughnuts.

    “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances” (Bloom p. 81).

  86. Ya think that maybe if we listened to them they might listen to us? We have issues too, and they are tied up in this. Opening a diologue is NOT a bad idea. Stoking hatred and bad feelings is TOTALLY the wrong idea. For one thing it would only re-enforce their concept of us as bad people who might deserve to be plucked clean. Hatred begets hatred, and you are not doing us or yourself any favors by spewing hatred at people who just happen to live on the other side of the creek.

    Keep in mind that Palo Alto is kept functioning by a LOT of people who cannot afford to live there, and that can even include doctors, nurses, police, and other city employees who simply do not earn enough to buy the outragously priced houses we live in. You depend on these people on a daily basis, and they live in surrounding cities, often in EPA. Offending those good people would be a VERY dumb thing to do.

  87. Girly men???? Well, yeah, maybe when they stand next to all the macho women. It does not seem to be politically correct to be male any more.

  89. What will come of this ‘march’?

    If the police see a black suspect or someone who looks like him they will be afraid to stop him because they will be accused of racial profiling.

    FACT: the suspects in the recent spree of attacks near Alma is Black.
    FACT: The recent home burglary suspects are Black.

    So, of course we should stop people who fit these descriptions. No 70 year-old Black man or Black woman will be stopped – the police have a much better description than that.

  92. Read the report on today’s attack

    “The petite Asian woman suffered bumps and bruises. She briefly struggled with her assailant and then chased him, Ryan said.

    It was the latest in more than a dozen strong-armed robberies, many with women victims, that have occurred since June, prompting community meetings with police and concerns for safety.

    The man ran off with the woman’s purse, got into an older white sedan on Ames Avenue and then drove off, Ryan said.

    The man was described as light-skinned African American or Hispanic, in his 20s, 5 feet 8 inches tall and 160 pounds. He was wearing a baggy black jacket with a gold design, dark jeans and a hat with a short brim. He also had distinctive gold coverings on several front teeth, Ryan said.” http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=9950

    This is crazy, the PC loonys have castrated the PAPD, so old women will be beaten and robbed more and more by thugs from EPA and the police will be unable to prevent them.
    We will become a magnet for violent black, pacific island and hispanic thugs.

  93. We are not going to stop the current crime wave by building a wall between Palo Alto and East Palo Alto. I agree it’s a problem. I’ve been burgled myself and I certainly didn’t like it. Was the perp from EPA? Who knows. He/she/they could have been from anywhere. Including my neighborhood. The police certainly never found out.

    Hatred just begets hatred. Reading these comments certainly has been a lesson in how easily a spiral of senseless violence can develop. Right here in Palo Alto, of all places. What disturbs me most is that some posters actually seem to be relishing the idea.

  94. Disgusted, you wrote “I am getting really SICK AND TIRED of this liberal chant about racism”. You seem to think that it is only liberals dislike racism, something which is quite mistaken. As a conservative, I find liberal, totalitarian politics to be almost as great an evil as racist behavior. Having seen plenty of both in PA, it appears that the former is often used as a facade for the latter.

    The Palo Alto police chief made a very poorly worded comment, which embroiled the PAPD in an uproar. It is time for this controversy to be addressed and resolved. Otherwise, it will only serve to distract the PAPD from its crime fighting efforts.

    See, the peeps in the Palo Alto really are going nonlinear over the protest. I still miss the anarchists. At least they were fun. 😉

  96. Maybe the following weekend PA citizens can then march from PA city hall to E. PA city hall to protest the crime wave and the inept leadership in their community in controlling their criminals. It is a shame that the few criminals in E. PA are causing the good people in that community to be slighted.

  98. With all this crime in PA, where is the heightened presence of PA law enforcement? There are almost on patrol cars seen on the roads other than to catch speeding. Give me a break, focus on the crime deterrance and not PA citizens driving a few miles too fast!

  99. Ed Koch cleaned up Time Square in NYC by using the “scoop and drop” off technique. Suggestion to the PA law enforcement, perhaps this strategy and tactic and also be implemented here. After a few drop offs to Oakland and the need for these fellas to find a ride home, there may be less interest to venture into PA with criminal activity in mind.

  100. joe

    what do you expect,

    If they talk to probable violent thugs they will be called racist, they have been turned into eunuchs, community activists with guns that they can not use.

    how do we get out of this impasse ?

  101. Maybe some of the Silicon Valley billionaires living in PA can fund some extra “security” for crime deterrance. You will never be able to spend it all and what better philanthropic activity to improve quality of life in the community you live in. How about it Steve J., Sergey, John C., and others? There may even be a tax write off that your accountant can create.

  102. Agree with you Sue. Our law enforcement will be left with nothing but duct tape and nerf baseballs to catch criminals before too much longer.

  103. I have repeatedly complaining about the E. PA leadership but where are the PA Mayor and City Council in all of this mess. We have not heard a peep out of these elected dingbats! No action despite the budget that PA has compared to other communities.

  105. While it is East Palo Alto groups that are arranging for these marches, we should ALL be thinking about how to help end the unconscious systemic biases that are still at play within some of our systems. Whether the chief’s comments were intended to be racist, and represent intentional profiling (which I DO NOT support) or whether they were ill-worded and unclear but well-intended, this issue is still one that we all need to think about and address together.

    It takes us all, regardless of race, to eliminate unfair racial prejudice.

    It is NEVER appropriate for a public official to suggest that all African American man should be stopped and congenially chatted up to find out who they are and what they are doing in Palo Alto, even if the only available description of the suspected criminal is of “a black man.”

    If we had a criminal on the loose described only as a white man driving a BMW, I doubt seriously we would ever consider stopping every white man who drives a BMW in Palo Alto, just to congenially ask who he is and what he’s doing here.

    It is this difference that makes the Police Chief’s comments so inappropriate.

    Let us all march together, supporting our African American friends and neighbors, to show our support for both strong law enforcement, and elimination of racism. Yes we can.

  106. Sharon,

    Wrong you are. If the criminal were a white male driving a BMW, the police would stop them all because that’s the description.

  108. Can you imagine if President Bush, said,”stop every AFRICAN AMERICAN,…to find out who they are”,….He did not even after 911 terrorist attacks, to the muslims,…. he was smart, it just wasn’t verbally done, but profiling did take effect.

  109. Stay HOME Dr. Faye McNair-Knox. Rethink your priorities. Organize to march your OWN streets to STOP crime, rather than cause more incidents to happen in Palo Alto. The crimes happening in Palo Alto are continuing. Even tonight.

    Your City, Mayor and groups actions are just upping the ante. You are attempting to make trouble, and we should not stand for it.

    Every year and all year I have given way more than average to causes in EPA. Every Christmas and Thanksgiving, I have donated until it hurt to see that others had a good Holiday too. I have rallied everyone I know to help, we gave much.

    This year, it stops.

    I will not put what little extra resources I have toward a community that is trying to cause trouble for mine.

    I will give where it’s needed in my own community. I will not support the opportunistic actions of your City to make a mockery of ours.

    [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

  110. Great…another mugging in Midtown.
    I have nothing against Black people.

    Yet again the suspect is Black – I want the police to question anyone who looks like the suspect.
    If the suspect would have been purple, I would support the police stopping any purple person matching the description.

  111. Agree with Howard. Forget the word “profile” and use “description”. Is the police no longer allowed to gather information on the “description” of the suspect. If that is really the case, all is lost in the spiraling rhetoric of this community.

  114. You all seem to forget that NO ONE including the police chief made this about EPA.

    The EPA Mayor did that. The Mayor chose to speak on behalf of ALL blacks, thus invoking the ire and ridicule of some.

    The EPA Mayor started this, not Johnson. She apologized. Apologized while the same suspect descriptors continue to dominate the headlines with new crimes.

  115. What meanness, stupidity and nastiness! Since when are a few people representative of all?
    Race is not a descriptor it’s only an element of description. It seems to me that some on this forum are geared to inflame, provoke and be as nasty as they can about blacks. I find this very contrary to an good will and believe that they really don’t want any dialog. They trade in hatred. They remind me of Selma’s march reception.

  117. Someone posted about crime in Atherton. They do have their fair share of crime – but a lot of it’s kept quiet. Atherton is small, doesn’t have business centers comparable to PA and it doesn’t have its owne newspapers.

    Menlo Park has had its share of burglaries lately and 2 culprits were just caught. BTW – they weren’t from EPA. Menlo doesn’t seem to have the same amount of street crime; however, it’s half the size of PA and the police are quite visible in the business areas.

  118. Do you really think the thugs will be part of the March? From what I’ve seen in my many years in EPA, they will stay away from events that have lots of eyes involved and a law enforcement presence, as this march is bound to have.

    If any of your feel strongly about May Foster’s stance, I truly encourage you to start a conversation with her about it, if you have the time and inclination. When EPA council was dissatisfied with the former police chief, they ousted him and found someone they feel is a better replacement.

    The main factions of crime I know of in EPA: crime against each other, perpetrated by gangmembers and wannabes, domestic violence, and thugs who prey on other EPA residents as well as residents of neighboring cities. Sometimes its organized theft by gang members, but more often than not, what you’re experiencing in PA now is due to a one to a few really nasty jerks who need to be caught.

    Believe me, those of us in EPA w/a modicum of decency want these nasties caught just as much as you do. While this crimewave is happening in your town, not all of the victims are residents of your town. People working, shopping and doing other business in Palo Alto are in potential danger.

  122. I only see color if you MAKE me see color.

    Right now y’all are making me see color. And not in the best light, that’s for sure. I can’t see one single color lookin purdier than the other at this moment in time. NO ‘race’ is looking too good on this issue. Don’t confuse racism with facts. It cheapens the true meaning of racial discrimination and makes people jaded and angry.

  123. the substantial majority of criminals have good excuses, along the lines that “something” MADE them do it. It looks as if Color has joined them

  125. I was not at the meeting on Oct 30th. Can someone please tell me who asked Chief Johnson the question re: racial profiling.

    I watched the tape and the meeting seemed to be going well until someone in the audience brought this up.

    Would anyone care to please answer this question?

  126. Palo Alto prides itself on inclusivity. Racial stereotyping has no place in an inclusive place like Palo Alto. The Police Chief is competent but insensitive. She seems tone deaf in her outreach meetings with the citizens. Police Chief Johnson should retire gracefully or be forced out. Time for the new City Manager to step up to the plate.

  127. The question about stopping people based on race was asked by Aram James, who was identified in an earlier Weekly story as a longtime critic of the police department. James asked why stopping individuals based on race wouldn’t be unconstitutional, and Chief Lynne Johnson then stated that there were be other descriptors and police would make “consensual contact” with individuals who fit the descriptors. In a KGO-TV interview after the meeting, she left out the qualifiers, however.

  128. The person who asked the question is a person who is and has always been critical of the police. The cops could be out there all day long helping little old ladies cross the streets and this type would accuse them of putting the old ladies in danger of being nailed by speeding cars.

    I believe the question was intended to trip up the Chief and unfortunately, it did.

    The sad thing is that person is probably out there being unpleasantly smug about the trouble that has ensued.

    The EPA Mayor is probably feeling pretty smug right now too. Imagine, holding onself in such high self esteem that she appointed herself spokeswoman for ALL African Americans. It never occurs to ANY of these individuals (include Dr. Fay Knox and Jay Thorwaldson on this) that they are causing more harm than good. Was there a huge outcry against the residents of East Palo Alto last week before that letter? Sure,the usual low grade rumblings here and there after a newstory, but that goes both ways. Nope. Before last last weeks political engineering it was a crimewave/suspect issue. Now thanks to all these self important people, we now have our very own ‘race’war going on.

    Chief Johnson made a mistake for which she has apologized TWICE and has been publicly flogged, including by members of our own City government. What they have done is far worse than what she supposedly did.

    Tossing out the Chief is like throwing out the baby with the bathwater.

    Palo Alto PRIDES itself on its ‘inclusity’? Yeah. So glad that ‘includes’ allowing thugs to terrorize our City with righteous impunity.

    Meanwhile this week the spree continued with even more incidents than were published in the paper. This is such typical liberal behavior. Backbiting seems to be the hallmark of so called ‘enlightened’ people. Loyalty, help and support is not in their vocabulary. Band together to fight some percived (engineered) offense against some lofty ideal and not recognize the true underlying problem that caused this mess in the first place.

    People should be out protesting these CRIMES, not the attempts to solve them.

    It appears to me many of you can’t see the forest for all those pesky idealistic trees. I protest todays March. You want to do something meaningful? Turn it right back around and make it against CRIME and in support of the arrest and convictions of these thugs.

    That would be just too simple wouldn’t it? No fun at all. No political glory attached to that.

  129. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

    This misguided march is guaranteed to backfire, dramatically worsening relations between the two cities. No one can justly criticize the police for being on the lookout for suspicious subjects matching the descriptions of the perpetrators of these abhorrent crimes. This entire “racial profiling” claim is a red herring, brought on by the chief’s poor choice of words.

  130. BRAVO! Amazing post Shocked and awed.I am in 100% agreement with you.

    Instead of taking away a positive message for their community in the election of Obama all they are doing is turning it into political grandstanding for all the wrong reasons.

    Way to cheapen his success culturally.

    And meanwhile, the crimes continue. We are at about 3 a day now.

    I think Palo Alto PD and the weekly should put out a comprehensive police blotter on line DAILY. A synopsis of ALL crime reports taken DAILY including suspect/arrestee information and let the public actually SEE it as reality, not theory. Then we can make up our own minds what’s going on for ourselves.

  131. And Mr. Thorwaldson? You are reading these comments. Isn’t your paper called the PALO ALTO WEEKLY?

    Why aren’t you reporting on the views of ALL Palo Altans, not just the ones who agree with you?

  132. I am in complete agreement about having more disclosure to the community about crimes that are happening. We need (yes need) to know where these happen, when they happen, and have follow up to what happens to these crimes. Are they being solved? What happened to the guy who was caught near the Caltrain station in downtown PA. The point is that they appear to be news on the day they happen but we never here about them again, unless it is like the City Hall murder. We don’t want them to be as serious as that obviously, but we do want the same information as to whether anyone gets caught and what their punishment ends up being.

  133. “The question about stopping people based on race was asked by Aram James”

    Aram James has made himself a nice following by inflaming City Council meetings, and doing his best to make Palo Alto a laughing stock based on false accusations against our police and citizens. James a master provocateur; he’s become the “Al Sharpton” of Palo Alto. He knows exactly what he’s doing, and has gotten himself a big following in the black community; So what does the Weekly do? They give voice to people like James, because it sells papers. The Post is little better. By far, the best paper in this city is now the PA Daily, which is far more balanced than either of the other two.

  134. Again I am amazed by the outpouring of racism, racist paranoia (assuming the marchers and all EPA citizens are criminals), willingness to scrap the Constitution by preventing the crossing of the bridge.

    Maybe someone could contact the Israeli contractors who built the wall separating the Palestinians. That way, as there, we can avail ourselves of the cheap labor while walling ourselves off for safety. A pass would have to be granted for any outsider to enter Palo Alto.

    Weird thing is, I bet many people posting here would enthusiastically endorse such a wall.

    While very serious for those involved, the crime rate here isn’t that bad still overall. Yet there is this siege mentality developing, and people seem eager to break the law—both constitutional and others have said they’d bring weapons to the march (anti-marchers that is). I fail to see how banning racist profiling (not soft profiling) is going to hinder EFFECTIVE law enforcement.

    Not all the crime in Palo Alto is committed by blacks…if the shoe Fitzhugh gotta wear it. And back in the 70’s Venceremos was headquartered here. Did people in EPA complain about the possibility of violent crime spilling over from that?

  135. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

    Amazing. There was nothing objectionable, incorrect, or inappropriate in my post, yet the organizers of this forum decided to censor most of it anyway.

    Shame on you Palo Alto Online, for your biased, heavy-handed, and selective manipulation of forum content to serve your political agenda. Those who fear Daylight and suppress Freedom of Expression have rarely been on the correct side of history.

  137. I don’t give a damn about the law and the ‘right to protest’. I don’t believe there is an actual problem TO protest. This is a MANUFACTURED problem. And for that, the City has street closures, massive overtime costs and places its citizens at risk.

  138. Yes, I am Hispanic, and I am from Pal Alto. I am worried about my children. How can I tell keep teach them to be good citizens if they will be considered suspects just because of their race? Kids has started talking about the Police Chief remarks and actions at school. This for sure will affect many children. I am sad that the Police Chief will be able to get away with what she said and her actions. I think I need to be getting one of the T-shirts with the question, “Am I a suspect?” Sad, sad, sad.

  139. There is a perfectly reasonable alternative to censorship, and that is a moderation system such as that employed by SlashDot.org, where the community can moderate comments up or down based on their collection reaction to them. Comments which are modded down aren’t shown by default, but they remain available for deliberate inspection.

    So if Palo Alto Online is truly interested in advancing both civilized dialogue AND free speech then it would adopt a moderation system instead of outright censorship.

    Even if forum editors remain the exclusive moderators, readers should not be denied the ability to read comments which have been “modded down” for whatever reason. Every legal post should remain available for public perusal, even if the most inflammatory, juvenile, or off-topic are hidden or collapsed by default.

    Without such a system, you will continue to have no defense to the assertion that Palo Alto Online forum comments are being selectively edited to support a specific political agenda.

  140. Time for change in Palo Alto. The enlightened people of Palo Alto deserves a police chief who is both competent AND culturally sensitive. City Manager Keene and the City Council need to act in a decisive manner to heal the community.

  141. That would be a great idea Why Censor, except in a City such as this, all more conservative views would be knocked right off the page and left there to rot. It would be highly boring to read the same opinion one after another merely echoing what the last person stated.

    Ralph? It is INDEED time for change. Time to change out the entire City Government for a newer, more progressive less political one. People with only one thing on their minds, the betterment of PALO ALTO.

  142. Shocked and awed? I reposted your posting and again, they knocked it down. Yet the Weekly would be the first to screech freedom of the press to anyone else.

    Why did you do that Weekly? Any response?

  143. After having our citizens brutally attacked and robbed, our houses broken into, our property damaged, now we have to suffer the further indignity of having our city invaded by self-righteous ideologues who sympathize with gangs over good, druggies over dads, and vandals over victims? What an outrage! This misguided march is guaranteed to backfire, dramatically worsening relations between the two cities. No one can justly criticize the police for being on the lookout for suspicious subjects matching the descriptions of the perpetrators of these abhorrent crimes. This entire “racial profiling” claim is a red herring, brought on by the chief’s poor choice of words. What could march organizer Faye C. McNair-Knox be thinking? The only angle on this which makes any sense is that this is all a Jesse-Jackson style ploy to draw national attention for herself in the wake of the Obama’s historic election. I do hope the media sees through this smoke screen.

  144. Well, admittedly, Palo Alto Online has a right to control the content in their forums since they’re paying the bills. It’s just a shame the city and its neighbors do not yet have a forum where citizens and neighbors can interact honestly and openly, free of interference by the powers that be. By the way, one of their TOS is “You agree not to republish in any form the posts that others make on PaloAltoOnline.com.” so don’t expect them to allow your reposts to stand for long.

    I will further add that I am sickened by many of the posts here today and disappointed by the aggressive censorship of the editors. As I predicted, this march has brought out the worst in everyone involved, and served only to elevate the animosity and distrust between the two communities. Nothing worthwhile has been accomplished.

  145. JAY THORWALDSON’ is waaay past his sell date, a relic from the 60s who ignores the Asian Invasion in PA

    We need an independent forum

    Lets do it, we can get the real estate ad revenue with much more credibility than a PA version of the Bay Area Reporter.

    Jay should stick to reporting on “ imaginary Lions”– pathetic
    Let us get new blood and new ideas

  146. Let he without sin cast the 1st stone.
    She made a mistake, let’s leave it at that. Concentrate on making the world a better place instead of looking for someone to blame. How many of these “marchers” organize or attend programs designed to detour crime. If you want to point a finger at someone, start with yourself and say “ What have I done to help?” Quit whing and start taking some personal responcibility for the things you don’t like in the world. And the nex time your a victim of crime try to describe the criminal without using race, I’ll bet it makes a difference then.

  147. common sense

    So you are suggesting that if someone is raped they should leave out any racial description?
    A National DNA data base is what we need, easy to do, not expensive and evidence based, what do you think?

  148. After residing in this community for 46 years,…Outside of East Palo Alto it is quite clear that the median home value is well above one million dollars easy. The point is East Palo Alto is not the problem,..its your realtors who posts the value of this part of California, in the books ,magazines, and newspapers ,criminals come from north ,south, east, west. They are watching Palo Alto,and places like,……. Napa;……Healdsburg ,etc.,for an example. We need a solution,… I attended the march today. I’ve attended sit ins in the seventies, this march was sort of political, The stories I heard today was too diluted to be raw. The speakers had minimal experiences, or should I say they were immigrants,that was coached, and to young to know, this profiling has been going on long before ,”silicon Valley”,…..There has never been an African American, or a Hispanic, or a Pacific Islander group,or sector, other than what exist on “Stanford Campus”. Wake up Palo Alto this is “America Today”,…connect with the rest of the world. How about creating a duel city crime watch progam on every street, TOGETHER. We have spent precious dollars, on street closures cars and media, Lets asks all the entities to put the money in a solution fund. I bet if criminals knew that the F.B.I. had decoys everywhere the robberies would stop. Unfortunately Chief Johnson may have to consider stepping aside for now. Zero tolerance means zero tolerance. If a politician “Democrat or “Republican,..had made a public comment of this nature,…his or her career would be over, didn’t you experience the last presidental race two years of watch what you say. That position demands firm articulancey, not inuendos,…”even though this was not an inuendo,…it was firm and direct. Remember people come even from Los Angelos,Ca., to rob and steal in Palo Alto. I call on all citizens to tackle and hold ,”for the police” any one who prays on elderly men and woman.

  149. Kim,

    I disagree with your comments about Jay Thorwaldson. Jay knows Palo Alto very well. He knows our history, and has seen and reported on the changes over the years. Older and wiser.

    I do disagree that chief Johnson should be replaced. She also knows our city well. We are have had an increase in crime here, and she is trying her best to protect us while being politically correct.

    If we were to hire a new chief, there is no telling things will get better.

    A new chief may not be as tolerant.

  151. The liberal media is suppressing the actual sordid and horrific facts about the march. It was originally organized by Mugger’s Inc., which used supposed political groups as a ruse. The original plan was to have the march in order to distract the police and various SWAT Teams. Then squads of muggers were to come up the concrete waterways of Adobe, San Francisquito, and Matadero Creek—a virtual replay of the Mau Mau rebellion visited upon Palo Alto.

    But, as the march got underway the squad coming up San Francisquito Creek was met by a herd of hungry mountain lions coming to feast on the bounty of swans, geese, and ducks at the duck pond. A deal was made, looty to be divided. Instead 10,000 angry black males rode the 10,000 Mountain Lions into Palo Alto. A combination of looting and feasting laid waste to people and pets. The police, meanwhile, had been neutered by political correctness to the point they had to wear blindfolds. Not only could they not profile, they couldn’t see anything. But they heard the anguished screams, the sounds of flat screen TV’s being pulled from walls. They started shooting blindly and ended up only shooting each other.

    The Governator heard of the carnage and deputized David Duke and sent in Klansmen from around the country to clean things up. The scene then became like those stirring moments from a DW Griffith movie.

    Details to follow on CNN.

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