Oakland Police silence Raider Nation

April 5, 9:45 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Art belting out AC/DC before the cops came.
Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

The Raider Nation came together for a tailgate party at the Oakland A's Fan Appreciation Day. This was a chance for the various Raider tailgates who are normally in different locations to come together in one spot. The Raider Nation set up in a corner in the north parking lot, fired up the barbeques, and set out to have a good afternoon.

After checking with the Oakland A's to insure that there would be no problems, Raider Raza brought their D.J. equipment and the place was rocking. The Oakland Police department issued a warning to the Raza crew and told them to turn the volume down. Raza complied with the request, and the party continued unabated. The new volume was set before the policeman left the area.

The D.J. played some AC/DC, and Art Padilla, a 10-year-old Raider fan, was signing along because he knew all the words. So, without turning up the volume, the DJ hooked up a microphone so that Art could perform. He was rocking the house, with the Raider Nation enjoying the show. However, as Art was singing, Oakland Police returned and ordered the DJs to shut off the music.

OPD telling Raider Raza to turn it down
Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

It is insane that the Oakland Police had to pull the plug as a 10-year-old was singing his heart out to a few classic rock tunes. The volume had not changed since the first police officer had asked Raider Raza to turn it down. The Nation was not causing any trouble, they were in the far corner working the grill and enjoying some music that was at a volume that had been approved by a previous officer.

It would be understandable if Raider Raza had cranked the volume back up after the first officer left, but that did not happen. The A's had already told the Raider Nation that it would be OK to have a DJ in the parking lot. Instead, the police felt the need to hassle the Raider Nation whilst a 10-year-old boy was rocking the crowd.