I guess we're lucky in Australia. We don't have gangs. The kids that hang out together just usually happen to be minority ethnic groups, and that gives media & conservative politicians the go ahead to harrass them. We don't have guns either. The kids that hang out in shopping centres are usually JUST hanging out outside shopping centres. Shopkeepers don't like them coz they don't have a lot of spending money. Older conservative white people are afraid coz they're xenophobic. Without having DONE anything, the kids are immediately branded as 'ethnic gangs'.

We don't have guns either ...

I did some work 2 years ago developing arts projects for young people who hang out in the local square. We set up dj-ing, aerosol art and hip hop workshops IN the public square, and the whole thing ended with a big evening extravaganza. We have the local council on side and the cops. The project generated a lot of positive media AND positive response from shopkeepers, because the focus was on what the kids had achieved, not on what colour their skin was or why they shouldn't be there.

Phew! i feel better after that wee purge! i might go and switch on my Acker Bilk record now

Callie