New documentary questions how gangs are defined
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The movie poster for the documentary. Photo: Claire Trageser/Axios
What does it mean to be in a gang? That's the central question of the new documentary "California Story."
Why it matters: The film answers that question by focusing on the neighborhoods of Southeast San Diego, where two men were arrested for being associated with a gang, despite having no confirmed ties to any gang crimes.
Catch up quick: San Diegans Aaron Harvey and Brandon Duncan were charged in 2014 with conspiracy in connection to a series of gang shootings. At the time, prosecutors acknowledged the men were not accused of carrying out the shootings.
- Harvey was charged because he was in social media pictures wearing gang colors and making gang signs.
- Duncan was charged because his rap music allegedly promoted gang violence.
- Both men spent several months in prison before their cases were dismissed.
- They received a $1.5 million settlement from the city of San Diego in 2020.
Prosecutors and police departments have defended gang documentation as a tool to identify patterns of violence and protect public safety, but critics say it can lead to wrongful arrests.
Driving the news: Harvey and Duncan are central characters in "California Story," which explores how gang documentation impacts communities of color and law enforcement.
- "The movie is about trying to understand what it's like to live in Black and Brown and less advantaged communities from the perspective of interaction with law enforcement," director David Kuhn told Axios.
Friction point: Kuhn said it was important to show the perspectives of both impacted communities and law enforcement.
- "What it's like to be in your shoes and have this interaction between the law enforcement state and the communities that are being policed," he said.
- Kuhn said some California police departments were generous and allowed him to film ride-alongs and interview officers.
- In San Diego? "Not as much," he said.
What they're saying: The documentary was screened on Saturday in San Diego, followed by a panel discussion.
- Harvey spoke and shared his experience of being arrested.
- "People see that and then say, he must have done something because there's no way there's four or five police cars pulling this person over and he's in handcuffs and he's done nothing," he said. "What they consider gangs is the community of those who have been ostracized."
Behind the scenes: The documentary explores other gang-related issues, including:
- The case of Jamal Trulove, who spent more than six years in prison for a 2007 murder before being acquitted and then receiving a $13 million settlement.
- The work of Ricky Weaver and Lanelle Brown, who grew up in rival gangs and now work to bring gang members together to stop violence.
- The Bird Rock Bandits, a group of white men from La Jolla who were arrested for murder in 2007, but were not charged with any gang crimes.
What's next: The director Kuhn said the company Cineverse will distribute his film, and it will soon be available on streaming services.
- He also has created an educational cut to show in schools.