Oakland stores attacked
Pub Date: 1/1/2006
Religious fundamentalism, social activism, racism and vigilantism have apparently combined and emerged as violent crime in Oakland, Calif., where three convenience stores with off-premise liquor licenses were damaged or destroyed in late November.
Seen by some liquor retailers as ominous and diabolical events, two stores were attacked by a group of up to a dozen black men attired in suits and bow-ties wielding clubs and wrecking bars who smashed refrigeration and display cases and shelves of merchandise, threatened store clerks and even abducted one for 12 hours.
One of the stores was a few days later destroyed by arson.
The vandals were at first thought to be connected to the Nation of Islam, but that community's leadership has denied involvement and denounced the violent acts. Video surveillance equipment recorded the crimes and several suspects were identified, arrested and charged with vandalism and false imprisonment with hate crimes enhancements.
The store owners were themselves from Muslim nations such as Yemen. One customer said there is resentment among some black Muslims in the area against store owners who "exploit" African Americans when they sell alcohol beverages to them.
Andre Isler of Isler's Liquors in Oakland said the violence, especially after airing on television, was "frightening to all retailers."
Unfortunately, Isler said, "We're portrayed, again, as the bad guys."
The real cause of local violence and crime, Isler said, is illegal drug trade and use, and the real problem underlying the recent attacks on liquor stores is likely competitive factions of local militant Muslim splinter groups.
But the bad rap and increasing pressure being brought to bear on liquor retailers is spurring the business owners to become more active in their local business associations and more assertive on the state-wide scene.
"We need to come together," he said. "The politicians know We're not together" and that makes licensed businesses easy targets for pandering politicians.
Isler is a member of the California Package Stores and Tavern Owners Association, a more than three-decades-old organization that initially was formed by African American licensees. He also participates in the California Beverage Merchants Association.
Isler acknowledged that it often takes a crisis or emergency to activate business owners, but nevertheless, he said, grassroots membership has had a wake-up call and there are strategies being discussed.
"We're thinking about something major, he said, declining to further elaborate.
"Politicians use alcohol as a campaign crusade'; a spearhead," Isler said. "That's the biggest problem lifetime politicians who know nothing about business. Our city council has no business perspective.
"We need to build up funds, build a budget" for electing officials who understand business issues, Isler said.
"we'll use these incidents to rejuvenate our business organizations."
Source: ABL Leader, January, 2006, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.