I went to the Oakland Athletics opening game on Friday, and I was surprised to see how much support there was in the stadium for the four police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

My mother told me that even though she misses me, she’s glad I’m away.  I moved to Los Angeles from Oakland seven months ago, and ever since I left, my home city has been experiencing one tragedy after the next. 

Residents marched through East Oakland Wednesday paying tribute to Lovelle Mixon, who shot and killed four Oakland police officers over the weekend. The International People's Democratic Uhuru Movement organized the event to bring attention to what they describe as police brutality.

The atmosphere at Oakland's City Hall Wednesday was quiet in the lobby where dozens have paid their respects to the four police officers killed over the weekend. Even though there weren't a lot of people signing the condolence books that afternoon, there were some visitors who felt the killing of the four police officers will help bring people back to their senses.

A firefighter who had been dispatched to the shooting scene said it's heart warming seeing how Oakland residents have come together to pay respect, and respect is just the beginning to a brighter day.
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The relationship between Oakland, California residents and the Oakland Police Department has been difficult for decades. On one side, there are arguments about a history of corruption and police brutality, and on the other, a contention that Oakland, a city with high rates of violent crime and murder, requires a firm hand from police.