Mourners vow to finish anti-violence mural slain artist worked on

OAKLAND, Calif. _ A community mural designed to lift West Oakland’s spirits was instead the scene of anger and grief Wednesday morning, one day after an artist was gunned down while he worked on the project.tmpplchld Around 200 mourners gathered to remember Antonio Ramos, 27, who was fatally shot about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in the 3500 block of West Street, under an Interstate 580 overpass.tmpplchld Ramos, of Emeryville, was struck by gunfire after an apparent argument with the shooter, who then ran away.tmpplchld On Wednesday morning, grieving friends and family clustered around the mural under the overpass, where dozens of lit candles and handwritten notes were left to remember the slain artist.tmpplchld “He was an idealist,” said Marcus Norris, of Emeryville, and one of Ramos’ childhood friends. “He was concerned about the next generation and ... he wanted to help make a world where people live life as they should, being free and caring for others.”tmpplchld Dozens of his peers in Oakland’s vibrant arts community also attended the emotion-packed vigil, where tearful mourners called for ending violence and praised the benefits that Ramos and other artists bring to struggling areas.tmpplchld “This (mural project) is vital, transformative work because most people (living nearby) don’t control their physical landscape,” said Refa One, an Oakland artist who was on his way to help with the artwork when Ramos was killed. “Murals like this give them a chance to do that.”tmpplchld Ramos was one of about 10 artists working on the Oakland Super Heroes Mural Project being produced by Attitudinal Healing Connection, a West Oakland group that seeks to stop violence by inspiring people with art and education.tmpplchld Ramos was “a fallen soldier ... who loved art and loved the community,” Amana Harris, the organization’s executive director, told the mourners.tmpplchld “We have to take a stand and say we will not allow this to happen in our community,” Harris said. “His family is here and in pain, and we share their pain with them.”tmpplchld Ramos’ friends lingered long after the vigil Wednesday, choking back tears while trying to make sense of the killing. They described their fallen friend as a hard worker who dreamed of using his art to make the world a better place.tmpplchld “He lived life to the fullest, moving to the beat of his own drum,” said David Burch, of Berkeley. “Instead of sitting around talking about doing stuff, he just did it.”tmpplchld “He inspired others so much,” said Josh Green, an Oakland resident who wore a T-shirt designed by Ramos.tmpplchld The mural Ramos was helping to paint, titled “Self as Superhero,” was designed by middle school students. It illustrates an idyllic scene of West Oakland, with vibrantly colored Victorian houses amid a tree-lined street and a creek. The mural contrasts sharply with West Oakland’s rougher side of drugs, poverty and homicides.tmpplchld The neighborhood where Ramos was killed has its share of similar problems, including “homicides that have no rhyme or reason,” said Marilyn Washington Harris, a community activist and founder of the Oakland-based Khadafy Washington Foundation for Non-Violence. But West Oakland also has many positive traits, including the art community that is trying to beautify its streets, she said. “That’s just how it is now,” she said. “Tragedy and triumph happen everywhere.”tmpplchld The artwork is the third of six underpass murals being produced by ArtEsteem, the art-and-literacy arm of Attitudinal Healing Connection.tmpplchld Oakland police continue to investigate the killing, Officer Johnna Watson said Wednesday. No arrests have been made.tmpplchld As the vigil wound down, Amana Harris vowed that her group would complete the mural project and dedicate the artwork at the crime scene in memory of Ramos.tmpplchld “We never want to experience this again,” she said, her voice rising. “We will continue to bring beauty, love, life and art into this community. Forever.”tmpplchld tmpplchld ___tmpplchld (c)2015 The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Calif.)tmpplchld Visit The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Calif.) at www.insidebayarea.comtmpplchld Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.tmpplchld