In the last week of November, there were 170 violent crimes in Oakland, as reported by Oakland Crimespotting. According to crime figures recently released by the FBI, Oakland has a higher rate of violent crime than any other city in California.
In response to this violence, an army is growing in Oakland. But this unique army - some 20,000 strong and with 23 years of training - fights for peace.
For the last 23 years, Destiny Arts Center has trained a youth army of "Peaceful Warriors" by providing financially accessible dance, theater, martial arts, violence prevention and youth leadership classes to kids ages 3-18.