In Conversation with Ali Winston and Darwin BondGraham, Authors of "The Riders Come Out at Night: Brutality, Corruption, and Cover-up in Oakland"
Join us, in conversation with Ali Winston (link) and Darwin BondGraham (link), Authors of "The Riders Come Out at Night: Brutality, Corruption, and Cover-up in Oakland." Find the book linked at the publishers website here (link) and at Amazon here (link). The book is also available as an ebook and audiobook at these links. This event will be guest-hosted by Michael German, Fellow of the Brennan Center for Justice (NYU) with more information about Mr. German here at this link.
Thank you to the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for sponsoring this event along with Pfau Library.
Series organizers: Dr. Mary Texeira (Sociology), Robie Madrigal (Pfau Library), Stan Futch (President, Westside Action Group), Dr. Jeremy Murray (History), Cecelia Smith (CSUSB, BA/MA Graduate), Matt Patino (CSUSB MA Candidate). Click here to view previous panels in the Conversations on Race and Policing series (link).
More about the book from the publisher's website:
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORS’ CHOICE
"From the Polk Award–winning investigative duo comes a critical look at the systematic corruption and brutality within the Oakland Police Department, and the more than two-decades-long saga of attempted reforms and explosive scandals.
"No municipality has been under court oversight to reform its police department as long as the city of Oakland. It is, quite simply, the edge case in American law enforcement.
"The Riders Come Out at Night is the culmination of over twenty-one years of fearless reporting. Ali Winston and Darwin BondGraham shine a light on the jackbooted police culture, lack of political will, and misguided leadership that have conspired to stymie meaningful reform. The authors trace the history of Oakland since its inception through the lens of the city’s police department, through the Palmer Raids, McCarthyism, and the Civil Rights struggle, the Black Panthers and crack eras, to Oakland’s present-day revival.
"Readers will be introduced to a group of sadistic cops known as “The Riders,” whose disregard for the oath they took to protect and serve is on full, tragic, infuriating display. They will also meet Keith Batt, a wide-eyed rookie cop turned whistleblower, who was unwittingly partnered with the leader of the Riders. Other compelling characters include Jim Chanin and John Burris, two civil rights attorneys determined to see reform through, in spite of all obstacles. And Oakland’s deep history of law enforcement corruption, reactionary politics, and social movement organizing is retold through historical figures like Black Panther Huey Newton, drug kingpin Felix Mitchell, district attorney and future Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren, and Mayor Jerry Brown.
"The Riders Come Out at Night is the story of one city and its police department, but it’s also the story of American policing—and where it’s headed."