California teens accuse police of failure to protect

UNION CITY, Calif. (AP) - The families of California black teens who say they've been the target of racially motivated crimes by a Hispanic gang are suing the Union City police and school district.

The lawsuits say the authorities aren't doing enough to protect black youths and stop the attacks.

The suits cite the December 2007 fatal shooting of 14-year-old Vernon Eddins in front of his middle school. Last Saturday, someone opened fire in a Hayward mall on a group of black teens, some wearing sweatshirts with Eddins' photo. No one was injured.

Plaintiff attorneys say a Hispanic gang is responsible for the attacks.

Two lawsuits were filed Wednesday--one each in state and federal courts, both seeking class-action status.

Police say they have not reviewed the suit and could not comment.

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