July 5, 2007

Group descends on city hall in response to Pyle’s
comment regarding ‘gang-bangers’

At a recent meeting between the San Jose Independent Police Auditor, members of the San Jose Police Department and community members gathered to discuss citizen complaints regarding police conduct, District 10 Council member Nancy Pyle took exception when some public speakers called police officers names such as “pigs.”

Silicon Valley DeBug left Nancy Pyle a white T-shirt that said, “fashion is not a crime.”

In response, she suggested, “Don't look like a gang-banger if you don't want to be picked up for being connected with a gang.”

Her comment drew a strong response from a group called Silicon Valley De-Bug, which is “a collective of writers, artists, organizers and workers based in San Jose.”

The group’s Web site states that “it is about allowing everybody to tell the stories of their lives and their opinions on the world, both near and far. We operate by the principle that experience is the ultimate authority. In this way, we are creating a platform for otherwise unheard stories to be communicated to each other and the world around us.”

So, on June 28, the group invited the press to what it billed as a “Gang Banger Fashion Show,” because its members felt Pyle needed to “stop the racist stereotyping of San Jose residents.”

“We were shocked at how dismissive Nancy Pyle's comments were in regard to community concerns of racial profiling and police harassment,” said Raj Jayadez, Silicon Valley DeBug coordinator.

Members arrived with what the group called “regular citizens” garbed in gang banger clothing—mostly overlarge drooping pants and black and colored T-shirts with sayings that might offend some people—and headed up to the 18th floor of City Hall to confront Pyle. While the group was allowed on the floor security didn’t allow anyone into council offices, and Pyle was not available when they arrived. They also left the council member a white T-shirt that said, “fashion is not a crime.”

At their “Gang Banger Fashion Show,” Angel Luna and Jesse Ingram-Stone show off their clothing. Photo courtesy Silicon Valley Debug

Pyle responded with the following statement. “We all have the right to live in a safe community no matter our race, creed, religion, age or income level. And, with those rights comes the responsibility to make San Jose a safer community. That responsibility falls on each and every one of us, whether we are a police officer, a businessperson, a neighborhood resident or a student.

“I am proud of the work of our police force and I think they do a great job. They are all human and like all of us have room to improve. As a result of last Tuesday’s meeting, the city is taking those actions. However, people who come into contact with police whether they may be perpetrators of a crime, or not, have room to improve also and must take responsibilities for their actions.

“Whether you are African American or Asian, Latino or White; whether you live on the east side or Almaden, Berryessa or downtown, we all have the right to live in a safe community and share the responsibility that comes with that right.”

—By Carol Rosen