This summer, Pace e Bene has been partnering with Oakland based grassroots organizations for the launch of our Nonviolent Options project. Since June we have partnered with the Ella Baker Center, Youth Uprising and the Mosaic Project. Through these relationships, we have been invited to several peace oriented events the past few months, one of which I attended last night.

Put on by the Urban Peace Movement, Kit Evans & I headed down to Jack London Square for TURF UNITY - a cd release party for Volume 4 of their music project.  Marketed as a nonviolent event and with a mindful call for people to come in the spirit of peace, that is exactly what I experienced last night.

Upon entering the venues doors, you are asked to read a peace pledge and sign in consent to handle yourself in a respectful manner in line with what the pledge just outlined. Next, you are greeted by a camera and lights, ready to take your picture in front of a wall plastered in "SILENCE THE VIOLENCE" posters.

From that point on its a party. People of all ages dancing to the fresh new beats prepared by Oakland's best and brightest.  I want to bring attention to Oakland's swagger, because thats what the city has got. Swag refers to the confidence, sophistication and 'cool' one exudes in the way they carry themselves. In recent months you may have seen us in the news for a variety of violent episodes related to the Oscar Grant/ Meherle case. But the media has yet to accurately capture our swagger, and the myriad acts of peace we see everyday.

Community events are never lacking, such as last night's TURF UNITY.  If you check out Youth Uprising, you will find they have events regularly, to highlight the talents of Oakland youth. Or if its scraper bikes you're into, you can go on a peace ride with Bikes4Life. Next weekend, I'm going to work in a community garden with The People's Grocery.

Last night, we partied in memory of those who have fallen victim to violence in our urban neighborhoods, but also in celebration of the vision and spirit of nonviolence. I leave you with a video and a few photos from last nights show.

Listen to Virtous VTurf as he spouts "My mind on a mission, full world peace is what I'm wishin..."