Oakland Post, week of June 14 - 20, 2023

Oakland Post

Weekly Edition. June 14 - 20, 2023

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden in S.F. to Campaign for President’s 2024 Bid

Reps Lee and DeSaulnier Introduce Legislation to Address Major League Baseball’s Anti-Trust Exemption

By Sean Ryan

School Board Election Could End Deadlock on Sharply Divided Board

By Linda Parker Pennington

On Tuesday, June 12, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden, visited a packed and jubilant house at Manny’s, to support her husband’s presidential reelection bid.

It was Biden’s second time at Manny’s, at 3092 16th St., having stopped in during Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.

Founder Manny Yekutiel introduced the First Lady. “Dr. Biden chose to visit Manny’s today because San Francisco matters,” he said. “We are the crucible of civic life in this country. We make s--t happen.”

The atmosphere inside was euphoric, those assembled charmed by

the First Lady’s warmth and grace.

“I am here in San Francisco because San Francisco matters” said Biden at the fundraiser where individuals paid from $100-$250 a plate to attend.

“Remember how hard it was last time? This time, it’s going to be even harder. The fight for freedom doesn’t end. This is the most important election of our lives.”

Manny’s is a social gathering space with a restaurant-cafe, bookstore and event space that opened in November 2016. In the run-up to the 2020 election, the venue hosted each of the 22 Democratic presidential contenders.

Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) on Tuesday introduced the “Moneyball Act,” legislation that would require the owners of any professional baseball club seeking to relocate to compensate the state and local authorities they move away from.

If the owners do not oblige, then

Major League Baseball would be subject to the anti-trust laws they have been exempt from for over a century.

This legislation comes as the Oakland Athletics, who have called Oakland home for half a century, are actively seeking to relocate to Las Vegas.

Congresswoman Lee recently

Councilmembers Propose Amendments to Oakland’s Proposed Budget

Staff

By Post

Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, joined by members of the Oakland Council’s Budget Team, this week released amendments to the city’s 2023-2025 Proposed Budget.

At its June 14 meeting this week, the council was scheduled

Police Commission Appoints New Executive Director of Community

By Ken Epstein

In the wake of a national search, the Oakland Police Commission has hired Mac Muir to become the new executive director of the Civilian Police Review Agency (CPRA), which is in charge of investigating police misconduct allegations and recommending discipline.

“Muir’s appointment comes as the CPRA is slated to assume many responsibilities of the Oakland Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division, a landmark transition that sets a new national standard for independent civilian oversight,” according to a City of Oakland media release.

Police

Review Agency

York Police Department’s 77 precincts.

He supervised a team of investigators that handled more than 150 cases at a given time.

Raised in Oakland, Muir said he has a long-term commitment to the city.

Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez. Courtesy photo.

By Ken Epstein

The Oakland Board of Education, operating at present with one vacancy, is sharply divided, 3-3, on many major issues that impact Oakland families, including the future of special education programs, budget cuts at school sites, school closings, and whether to support “common good” demands for community needs raised by Oakland teachers during their recent strike.

With the board unable to reach a decision on appointing a new member, the Alameda County Office of Education recently stepped in, ordering an election in Novem-

ber to fill the remaining one yearterm for the District 5 seat, which represents the Fruitvale District.

The D5 seat was left vacant when its representative, Boardmember Mike Hutchinson, ran and ultimately won in D4 after his residence address was moved during the citywide redistricting process.

On one side of the polarized school board are members who have been outspokenly opposed to school closings and spoke during the recent Oakland teachers’ strike in favor of the union’s “common good” demands: VanCedric Wil-

Muir formerly served as a supervising investigator at the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), the nation’s largest civilian oversight agency.

In his seven years at that agency, he oversaw many investigations, including fatal shootings, chokeholds, sexual misconduct, and false official statements in New

“Oakland is and always has been the most important place in my life,” he said. “Growing up here shaped my commitment to challenging inequities in policing. As executive director of the CPRA, I’m committed to bolstering Oakland as a national leader in police oversight as we weigh serious challenges with real opportunity.”

Holy Names University Campus Sold to Los Angeles Real Estate Firm for $70 Million

closed.

OP-ED: Supervisors Must Implement Civilian Oversight of Sheriff’s Dept. Over Santa Rita Jail Death

By Katie Dixon, Moina Shaiq and Rev. Derron Jenkins

in Alameda County law enforcement.

By Ken Epstein

After deciding to shut down at the end of May, the Holy Names University (HNU) Board of Trustees has just sold the 58-acre campus in the Oakland hills to a Los Angeles-based real estate firm, BH

Properties, a company with minimal connection to education or to Oakland.

Though the price was not revealed, previous reports said the asking price was $70 million.

Kimberly Mayfield, Deputy Mayor of Oakland and a former

HNU administrator, has worked to save the HNU campus as a site for higher education in Oakland. She is hoping that the new owners will be willing to respond to community needs.

In an interview with the Oakland Post this week, Mayfield said, “I hope they will preserve the campus for educational use, especially for higher education, such as an institution like a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). We need more higher education opportunities here in Oakland. That’s what we’re losing.”

She said she was particularly concerned for students who were left in the lurch with debts and unfinished degrees when HNU

Leading up to the sale, the HNU board operated mostly in secrecy, not transparent with faculty or students, and ignoring proposals of aid from city and community leaders and educational entities, including two proposals to place an HBCU on the campus.

BH Properties says it seeks to attract new tenants to continue using the property for academic use.

“We are excited to announce this long-term investment in the Oakland community,” said Jim Brooks, president of BH Properties, in a statement quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle.

“This

Norma Nelson, a lifetime Black Women Organized for Political Action member (Sacramento Chapter) and founding member of the California League of Women Voters Criminal Justice Committee Interest Group, joined the circle of families whose tragic experiences highlight the need for transparency and accountability

On May 2, 2020, her brother, Donald Nelson, a Black man, had his medical request and needs ignored by staff at Santa Rita jail, the family asserts.

Instead, according to the family, Donald Nelson was placed in a holding cell with an alleged white supremacist (based upon social media posts) only to be fatally assaulted within two hours of being in custody.

Though they reached out to jail staff, the family was not notified for nearly a week as he lay dying alone in a hospital bed.

At the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ Public Protection Committee meeting last month, Norma Nelson joined Angelina Reyes, president of the Alameda County Council of League of Women Voters, in urging “implementation of a strong, independent civilian oversight of the

So far, one candidate has stepped forward: Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez

Mac Muir was raised in Oakland. File photo.

Representatives Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10)

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden poses with Manny Yekutiel, founder of Manny’s, a community meeting and learning place in San Francisco where Biden was campaigning for her husband’s second term. Photo by Angelina Polselli.

Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas. File photo.

Donald Nelson and Norma Nelson.

COMMENTARY: Trump Pleads ‘Not Guilty’ in Espionage Case: Should Co-Defendant Waltine Nauta Flip?

twice impeached, found liable for sexual assault in a civil case, and is still under indictment in New York, with at least two more criminal cases to come.

This is a man still qualified to live in the White House? Maybe with a shroud over it. If that happens it would be the most supreme example of white privilege in America.

Wouldn’t happen for you or me. But Trump? A different story.

That says something about the direction our nation is taking.

FLIP, WALTINE NAUTA, FLIP

Community Building 101

By Richard Johnson

unsheltered returning citizens.

Unsung Athletes of Color from Bay Area Get Their Props in ‘Remember Their Sacrifice’

By Emil Guillermo

Can you imagine Donald Trump as a person of color, or perhaps, specifically a Black man?

I’m not talking Black conservatives like Sen. Tim Scott. Or Ben Carson. Or even Clarence Thomas.

Just a regular Black man in Oakland who doesn’t get the time of day on the news. Not even when he’s arrested or arraigned.

Because the most important thing about the history-making moment this week — the first U.S. president, past or present, arrested Tuesday on federal criminal charges — may be whether Trump can be treated like anyone else. Like you. Or me.

Chances are if we were charged on a 37-count criminal indictment for felony violations related to the Espionage Act, it wouldn’t have taken more than a year to apprehend us.

Nor would we be arrested, released and then on the same day allowed to raise millions of dollars to win back our old job as chief executive of the United States.

No man is above the law?

All that is in the back of my mind in this latest indictment

against Trump, which by the way, if you haven’t read, you should.

It’s about as simple a legal argument as it gets.

It alleges how classified, secret documents were inappropriately handled, stored, and moved. The allegations include obstruction of justice and making false statements. All of it substantiated with evidence and photographs, with possible consequences of decades of prison time.

If a Martian read the indictment, he’d wonder why there wasn’t a better bathroom to store top secret documents on Earth.

And then the Martian would wonder how someone like Trump could ever have been seen as qualified to be president in 2016, let alone be the leading candidate for Republicans in 2024.

In fact, polls are showing how even if convicted, more than 75% of Republicans would be just fine with Trump as president.

Don’t buy this fake idea that Trump has been victimized. BIPOC communities are criticized for rightfully claiming victimization in America society, but here’s Trump using it with executive style. This a man who has been

When I read the indictment, I cheered justice, accountability and the rule of law. But I admit I couldn’t help dwelling for a moment on that first page.

The stark print stops you cold.

“United States of America,” meaning all of us.

Then, “v. Donald J.Trump and Waltine Nauta.” Nauta. One of us.

The 40-year-old Guam native just put the AAPI community in the evolving sordid political history of Trump. Trump’s new running mate is Nauta, Trump’s own personal valet and now co-conspirator.

Nauta potentially joins those who have sold their soul to Trump and done prison time, like attorney Michael D. Cohen and Trump Organzation CFO Allen Weisselberg.

And then there are other convicted Trump cronies who were pardoned by Trump: Paul Manafort, Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon.

Maybe that’s Nauta’s hope. Be loyal. Stick to Trump. Ride the “winner” and get what the big boys—the white boys get. A par

Center Inc. whose work is done in reentry transitional housing for the unhoused and

These groups also volunteer with Charles Reed’s 5,000 Returning Family Members Voters Registration Campaign along with the Uncuffed Project which is utilizing the tiny homes initiative to acquire available space.

In unison, all these projects have combined their collective work to bring better working conditions for those existing in less promising circumstances trying to forge their livelihood under the same theme as the expression “it takes a village to raise a child.” These community-based and reentry organizations have adopted the motto “it takes a unified effort to change the negative to a positive on a societal level.”

This collaboration has embraced the belief that working and volunteering together is a necessity if we as a people, as a community, and as a restored society can make a real difference in each other’s lives.

There are far too many available resources to allow failure to deter our march for a victory over poverty, crime, unemployment, and the pursuit of happiness.

More needs to be done in the area of seeing the need and working to fill the void, nothing is accomplished if we don’t try.

By Godfrey Lee

Arif Khatib and Pete Elman are promoting and selling their book

“Remember Their Sacrifice - Stories of Unheralded Athletes of Color.”

They hosted a book signing event on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at YEMA, a men and women’s clothing store located at 10 Main St. in Tiburon.

Khatib is the founder and president of the Multi-Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame. Elman is an author, musician, teacher, and sports journalist in the Bay Area.

“This book is designed to teach people about African-Americans and other athletes of color, and how they greatly contributed to sports

Photo by JonathanFitnessJones

How Four California Cities Are Approaching Reparations for Black Residents

Ike Turner, Mother Fletcher, as she is affectionately known, takes readers on a poignant and harrowing journey through her experiences as the oldest survivor and last living witness of the Tulsa Massacre of 1921.

From being a terrified 7-yearold awakened in the middle of the night to flee her burning Greenwood neighborhood, to her role as a 107-year-old matriarch testifying before Congress, Fletcher seeks justice for the families affected by this immense tragedy.

Fletcher’s vivid prose recounts the violence she witnessed and experienced during the massacre. Memories of the white mob, shootings of Black men, bodies in the streets, burning buildings, and the sound of airplanes overhead haunt her to this day. While the nation may have forgotten this history, Fletcher carries its weight, determined to ensure it is never buried or erased.

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

The California Reparations Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans will hold its last inperson meeting on June 29 in Sacramento.

The meeting will take place in the First Floor Auditorium of the March Fong Eu Secretary of State Building, located at 1500 11th Street.

The task force will submit its final report to the California Legislature. If approved, California could become the first state to provide reparations to the descendants of enslaved Black Americans.

Task force vice-chairperson Rev. Amos Brown said the state Legislature must “do the right thing” before leaving San Francisco for a speaking engagement in Jackson, Miss., to recognize the

60th anniversary of NAACP field secretary Medgar Evers assassination on June 12, 1963. “It’s now time for some deliberate action,” said Brown, the pastor of Third Street Baptist Church in San Francisco. “If they don’t provide support action, or forms of reparations in this nation, and in this state, they will be giving credence to bigotry, racism, and inhumanity towards Black folks.”

During the past 24 months, while the state reparations task force held public hearings and listened to expert testimony to uncover historic wrongdoings and discriminatory policies against descendants of enslaved Blacks in order to determine appropriate compensation, some cities in California started their own reparations efforts.

In June 2021, the city of Los Angeles established the Repa-

PUBLIC NOTICE

rations Advisory Commission (RAC), a seven-member task force comprised of activists, academicians, attorneys, racial justice advocates, and more. It is supported by Los Angeles’ Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department’s Office of Racial Equity.

The RAC advises the city on the formation of a reparations pilot program for Californians who are descendants of enslaved Black Americans in the Los Angeles area, according to Khansa T. “Friday Jones” Jones-Muhammad, a member of the commission. The RAC provides recommendations for the format, function, and goals of the initiative, including strategies and opportunities to seek public or private funding.

In April, RAC hosted its first in-person forum at the California

Continued on page 7

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, PUBLICATION AND REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE CITY OF OAKLAND’S ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FY 2023/24 & OTHER PLAN DOCUMENTS

The Public is invited to review and comment on the City of Oakland’s 2023/24

Annual Action Plan (AAP) and Substantial Amendments to the 2021/22, 2022/23 AAP for the Housing Opportunities for Persons With HIV/AIDS (HOPWA) programs and for Waiver of Community Planning & Development (CPD) Grant Program Requirements to address Damage & Facilitate Recovery

In Declared Disaster Areas all to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD/CPD). This document provides a concise summary of the actions, activities, and the specific federal and non-federal resources that will be used in FY 2023/24 to address the priority needs and specific goals identified by the City’s 5-Year Consolidated Plan and funds to be used to address damage and facilitate recovery.

The AAP serves as an application for funds under the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) grants below:

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

• HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME)

• Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG)

• Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)

A Public Hearing for the AAP will be held on Tuesday June 20, 2023 at the Oakland City Council meeting as a public hearing item. The public will be able to view and participate in the public hearing made available via KTOP and Zoom. For public participation and viewing instructions go to: https://oakland.legistar.com/ Calendar.aspx, select the “Agenda” icon for the May 2, 2023 City Council meeting. Translation and assistance for persons with disabilities is available upon advance request. See details on the June 20, 2023, City Council Agenda.

Availability of AAP:

The AAP is available online for public review and feedback between June 7, 2023 – July 7, 2023 at: https://cao-94612.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/AnnualAction-Plan-FY-2023-2024.pdf

Any modifications to public hearing date or AAP documents listed during the public comment period will be noted on this same site.

Submission of Written Comments:

Public comments or requests for additional information on the 2023/34 AAP, 1st Substantial Amendment to 2022/23 AAP, and 4th Substantial Amendment to must be submitted by July 7, 2023 at CDE@oaklandca.gov with Subject: “AAP Comments”.

Public comments to the 2nd Substantial Amendment to the 2022/23 AAP for Disaster Response & Recovery must be submitted by June 14, 2023 at CDE@ oaklandca.gov.

Tale: 109-Year-Old Tulsa Race Massacre Survivor Releases Memoir

By Tamara Shiloh

A memoir written by the oldest survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre has assured that her testimony before the U.S. Congress two years ago won’t be the last we hear of Viola Ford Fletcher.

In March, two months before the 102nd anniversary of an armed white mob’s destruction of Greenwood, a thriving Black community

of Tulsa, Okla., Mocha Media Inc. proudly announced the release of Fletcher’s book, “Don’t Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Her Own Words.”

This groundbreaking memoir marks the 102nd anniversary of the tragic event on May 30, 1921, that remains the worst incident of racial violence in U.S. history.

Co-authored by her grandson,

Tulsa in 1921 was deeply segregated but Greenwood’s ‘Black Wall Street’ thrived as a prosperous business district, home to 10,000 Black residents. However, dreams of generational wealth were shattered when racial violence claimed hundreds of Black lives. Survivors, who lost loved ones and millions of dollars in property, were forcibly interned in camps without accountability for the atrocities committed against them.

These traumatized citizens faced a hostile country that used military force against them and threatened their lives if they shared their stories. For 102 years, survivors patiently awaited acknowledgment, a voice, and restoration.

Fletcher lived in fear and silence until her grandson, Ike Howard, a retired military veteran, encouraged her to conquer her fears and share her truth. Recognizing the significance of her experiences, he believed her longevity was a blessing, enabling her to reveal the truth about Tulsa.

Dr. Michael Stoll, director of UCLA Ralph Bunche Center’s Black Policy Project, testifies before the California Reparations Task Force in Los Angeles about a study, research, and data concerning the Black experience across the state. Right of Stoll are UCLA graduates and scholars Jendayln Coulter, Chinyere Nwonye, and Elliot Wood. Sept.23, 2022. CBM file photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Alameda County Establishes Elections Oversight

By Melissa Male

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance on Tuesday to establish an Elections Oversight Commission to oversee all federal, state, district, and municipal elections conducted by the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson introduced this ordinance as part of a set of recommendations he made in the aftermath of the November 2022 General Election, when errors in the vote tabulation for several candidates were discovered after certification by the Registrar.

“We are living in a time when the legitimacy of election results is continuously called into question,” said Carson. “While the vast majority of results are correct, as the County experienced during last year’s election, errors do occur.

“Trust in our electoral process is at the heart of our democracy; by establishing this commission, we are ensuring that this process will be more transparent and that issues impacting voting access and vote tabulation will be addressed and corrected in a timely manner.”

Reparations for Black Residents...

Continued from page 3

African American Museum.

“African Americans in Los Angeles are overrepresented in homelessness and underrepresented in generational wealth. It is the result of a system that has denied African Americans the ability to fully exercise their God-given liberties,” said RAC Chairperson Michael Lawson at the meeting.

Lawson is the CEO and president of the L.A. Urban League.

of the atrocities experienced by Black Americans.

“Our task (AARAC) was to do the appraisal, and it’s the city’s task to determine, based upon recommendations, what they decide to adopt,” McDonnell said.

In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, San Diego established the Department of Race and Equity (DRE) to address disparities experienced by individuals in the city.

Trump Pleads Not Guilty...

Continued from page 2

But maybe he should. And fast.

The Commission will consist of 13 voting members – five will be selected by the Board of Supervisors; four will be selected by outside organizations (the Alameda County League of Women Voters, a member from a disability rights organization, a member from a voting rights organization, and a member from the ACLU of Northern California); and four at-large members representing impacted communities will be nominated by the Commission.

The Board of Supervisors intends to begin making appointments to the Commission at the August 1, 2023 Board meeting.

Those who are interested in being appointed to the Elections Commission should submit an application via the County’s Boards, Commissions, & Committees online portal: acgov.org/bnc/#/home.

The link for the new commission is expected be live and available to accept applications by the week of June 19.

Melissa Male is the communications manager for Alameda County District 5 Supervisor Keith Carson.

“The closure needed is a mutual recognition of the wrongs that have been meted upon the members of the victimized community. I am grateful to everyone who joined us as we take this step forward together,” he added.

In December 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance establishing the 15-member San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee (AARAC).

Over the course of two years, AARAC developed a San Francisco Reparations Plan that addresses institutional and city-sanctioned wrongdoings against Black communities in San Francisco.

AARAC specifically focuses on improving different aspects of Black life, including education, housing, workforce development, economic opportunities, financial stability, small businesses, access to public transit, and food security.

The committee is committed to reducing violence, addressing health disparities and preventing over-criminalization of African Americans.

In March, AARAC presented to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors more than 100 recommendations, including a proposal to pay each qualifying Black city resident a one-time lump sum reparation payment of $5 million.

In an interview with San Francisco’s KRON 4 News on March 24, Eric McDonnell, the chairperson of AARAC, stated that the recommendations are an estimation

This initiative was led by San Diego City Councilmember Monica Montgomery-Steppe, who is a member of the state’s reparations task force.

Last year, the city of Sacramento began developing a municipal reparations initiative committed to “truth telling and trust building” called the Sacramento Centered on Racial Equity (SCORE) plan.

SCORE is designed to interrupt patterns and processes rooted in dominant cultural patterns that perpetuate systemic racism and racial hierarchy within the city.

Betty Williams, president of the Sacramento branch of the NAACP, praised the work SCORE has started but she wants to further expand discussions on reparations for the Sacramento Black community.

“I want an outreach team to go out in the community to ask the critical question: ‘Do you want a (reparations) task force and what should it look like?’” Williams told California Black Media.

“That’s the discussion I’ve had with Mayor (Darrell) Steinberg on how to put something like this together. It’s not just monetary. Education, housing, small business — all of those things should be part of the recommendations and of what reparations should look like for Black Sacramentans.”

don.

Nauta reportedly told his family in Guam he did nothing wrong, and just did as directed by Trump.—He carried Trump’s boxes out of a storage room, 64 at first, but then brought back only 30. Was he hiding the balance so they couldn’t be retrieved and returned to the National Archives?

Nauta is seen on video moving boxes. In an interview, he contradicts the video. The video doesn’t lie.

That’s loyalty to Trump. But was Nauta any worse than the most ardent—Trump supporter– AAPI or not–who continues to cheer Trump?

It pained me to see how Nauta was snarked at, from the pronunciation of his name in some form of Anglicized “Nata,” to the sniping references like “glorified pool boy” as one national anchor called him.

Nauta must be used to that kind of disrespect as a native Guamanian. By virtue of being from a federal territory, you are a U.S. citizen. But you can’t vote. You can, however, serve in the military.

Nauta, who enlisted in the Navy as a teenager in 2001, rose up the ranks to one of the prized jobs among the non-commissioned ranks, the naval steward spot in the White House. You’re serving the commander-in-chief.

And that man, Trump, likes you.

In some ways Nauta is the ideal “body man.” Guamanians can’t even vote for president. It gives them an urgency and purity of loyalty and service just to prove their existence. By their care, they matter.

Nauta wasn’t a sycophant. It was his honor to do his job.

Maybe that’s why he hasn’t flipped yet.

Ty Cobb, a former White House attorney who described himself as a friend of Nauta, told CNN that Nauta not having his own attorney is “a tragedy of the highest proportion.”

Nauta moved boxes at least five times, according to the indictment. It said that he loaded them up on a Trump plane. That he discovered a spilled box with top secret documents of the U.S.’s top five allies. And he took a picture of the spilled box and shared it via cell phone.

That’s a serious felony allegation. No one on the Trump legal team, nor did Nauta’s lawyer, paid for by a Trump PAC, told Nauta to get his own lawyer or to cooperate with the feds.

It’s in Trump’s best interest to control Nauta until he no longer needs him. And Nauta is an ideal co-conspirator. He always feels beholden. He’s trapped by Trumppaid lawyers.

But reality might sink in as Trump was described looking dejected in that solemn federal courtroom in Miami on Tuesday as his lawyers pleaded not guilty for him. And what of Nauta — assumed to be a retired enlisted Navy man –being willing to go down with the ship? His Trump PAC guy couldn’t enter a plea because he wasn’t a Florida attorney.

Perfect time to lawyer up.

I say, “Flip, Waltine, Flip.”

You know the truth. Tell it. Make a deal with the feds.

Save your hide, save America. Save democracy.

Emil Guillermo is a veteran journalist and commentator. See his reality talk show at www.amok. com

When you switch off, California stays on. When you get a Flex Alert, reduce your power use to help ease the grid and avoid statewide outages. The more people that save their energy for later, the more likely we keep the lights on.

Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson.

U.S. Senator Cory Booker Takes on Big Agriculture

day, June 18, to serve more visitors.

Fees waived on Juneteenth include park entrance, parking, dogs, horses, boat launching, and fishing. However, the fee waiver does not apply to swimming, camping, reservable picnic facilities (due to capacity limits), District concessions, state fees for fishing licenses, and watercraft inspections for invasive mussels.

West Oakland, Martinez Close Out Month of Juneteenth Celebrations

By Post Staff

please call 925-354-4573.

The Park District is also celebrating Juneteenth with several naturalist-led programs, including a hike at Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at 10 a.m. and nature walks on Monday, June 19, 2023, at Thurgood Marshall Regional Park – Home of the Port Chicago 50 in Concord at 10 a.m. and at Big

Break Regional Shoreline in Oakley on Monday at 8 a.m. For more information, visit www.ebparks. org/Juneteenth.

California:

The California Black Women’s Collective is joining GirlTrek, a national Black women’s health movement, to celebrate Juneteenth with a walk in solidarity with others across the country.

The organization is encouraging women around the state to organize a local walk in their neighborhoods on June 17, wear blue and amplify their activities online with pin drops, and a printable digital poster.

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (DNJ) addressed a sold-out audience this past Friday at The Commonwealth Club of California, in San Francisco.

His message was two-pronged, focusing on “Big Agriculture” and the climate.

Senator Booker is challenging the beef and pork packagers through legislation he has introduced in an effort to tilt the balance of power in the U.S. industrial agriculture system. He said this will give farm workers and family farms and ranchers a better deal.

He also cited the “sweet water” manufacturers, the bottlers of sugar-sweetened soft drinks who earn hundreds of millions of dollars in profits from the purchases of their soft drinks by individuals using SNAP.

This is the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that provides funds for food on a sliding scale of income for food low-wage working families, low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and other

Remeember Their Sacrifice...

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of America, (and) the Olympics,” says Khatib, “All of these athletes are heroes, and yet many people don’t know who they are, except their families and friends. It is our responsibility to shine a light on these athletes and talk about how they made their contributions.”

Khatib and Elman wrote about how these athletes did more than what they thought they could do as athletes, and hope that this book will inspire its readers to do more than what they think they can do in their own lives.

Khatib personally knew every individual in this book and many of them were in his Hall of Fame. He did further research, avoiding Google and other search engines, instead asking the athletes for raw facts, something never shared with others. What they shared was included in his book.

“We need to learn about each other, bridge that gap, and get past all that hate. It is time for diversity and inclusion, so we can live and get along together,” Khatib said.

Pete Elman, the coauthor of the book, loves playing sports, history, and teaching. Doing this book was an opportunity for him to combine his love of sports, writing, language, and teaching.

“It really makes a big difference when you know some of these people that you are writing about, and that you can call on their relatives, friends,” Elman said. “Even if they pass away, you can learn something about them.”

“These athletes crossed and broke the racial barrier and made it possible for today’s athletes to attain and enjoy the success that they have today,” Elman said.

The major athletes that are written about in the book are: Pumpsie Green, Alice Coachman, Pete Brown, Spencer Haywood, Toni Stone, Dr. Sammy Lee, Burl Toler, Billy Mills, Mamie “Peanut” Johnson, Archie Williams, Janet Johnson, Curt Flood, Dr. Tae Yun Kim,

individuals with low incomes.

He said that these ‘sweet water,” high sugar-content drinks, are significant causes of a host of preventable diseases in low-income populations.

American agriculture, he said, also accounts for about 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. His upcoming farm bill presents an opportunity to infuse more climate-smart practices. Doing so, however, involves confronting industrial practices that focus on short-term gains and commodity subsidies that have deep support in both parties.

“Senator Booker is a champion of change for our agricultural industry” said Davida Herzi, cofounder and CEO of Aclima, Inc.

“He is also a consensus builder between the political parties on Capitol Hill.”

Senator Booker sits on the Judiciary Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and the Small Business Committee.

Edward Gourdin, Emilio “Millito” Navarro, Chi Cheng, Lt. Eugene Evans and Lt. Col. Eli Page Howard Jr.

Other sports figures in the book are Don Barksdale, Mal Whitfield, Silas Simmons, Willye White, Yoshihiro Uchida, Marshall “Major” Taylor, Joe Reliford, Thell Torrence, Willy T. Ribbs, Joe Gaetjens, Manny McIntyre, Julius Menendez, Eddie Hart, Sam Lacy, and “Big Sam” Skinner.

The book can be obtained through Amazon, Rowman, Barnes and Noble, and other booksellers. For more information, call Arif Khatib at 510-629-2895.

Since Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021, the celebrations honoring the end of chattel slavery in the U.S. have increased.

In West Oakland, B-H Brilliant Minds Project, Inc. is excited to come back together for the Oakland Juneteenth 16th Annual Celebration and Street Festival, Freedom Day.

Please join them on Sat., June 24 from 11a.m. until 6 p.m. on Brockhurst Street in Oakland, CA. (between Market Street and San Pablo Avenue) for a day affirming the expression, recognition, and understanding of myelinated people by presenting our past, present, and future accurately by showcasing the wide range of talent and art of our culture and family.

This year’s theme is: “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now, We MUST Leave a Legacy for Our People.”

Organizer Barbara Howard refers to her Juneteenth on the last Saturday of the month as the Bay Area Close-Out celebration. It features a gospel explosion, Bay Area Steppers and vendors from Akoma Market on The Road. For more information, call 510-290-0811.

Martinez

Martinez is holding its first celebration of the holiday.

Come learn, laugh and grow as a community at A Juneteenth Freedom Day in downtown Martinez. Come join us and enjoy the Black National Anthem sung by Stacy Audriene, music by Ras Ceylon and HMZA, music by DJ Outta Pocket, esteemed speakers, free food, wares sold by Black vendors and fun for the entire family! Organized by Nakenya Allen. Sat. June 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at 626 Main St. in Martinez. For more information,

San Joaquin County Lathrop

Lathrop plans Juneteenth celebration at Generations Center Saturday, June 24 at 450 Spartan Way across from Lathrop High School and can be accessed by taking the Lathrop Road exit off I-5 or following Lathrop Road west under I-5. Vendors, food trucks, live bands, kids’ games, and spoken word will all be part of the festivities.

The event is free to the public, but those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP by visiting www.eventbrite.com and searching for Lathrop Juneteenth.

East Bay Regional Parks

The East Bay Regional Park District is celebrating Juneteenth with a Free Park Day on Sunday, June 18.

Please note that while Juneteenth is on Monday, June 19, the District’s Free Park Day is on Sun-

By Conway Jones

U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Davida Herzi, co-founder and CEO, Aclima, Inc., at The Commonwealth Club of California, San Francisco, CA, following Senator Booker’s noontime presentation on big agriculture and climate. Photograph by Kenneth Johnson, S and Francisco African American Cultural Center.

The Texas African American History Memorial is an outdoor monument commemorating the impact of African Americans installed on the State Capitol grounds. 2019 photo courtesy of California Black Media.

Everyone knows that living organ donors save lives, but did you know that these common and safe procedures happen by the thousands each year?

Stanford Health Care helps educate people about kidney, liver, and other living tissue donation because saving lives starts with understanding what is at stake. Learn

Dr. Jill Biden ...

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Yekutiel has hosted town halls with local civic leaders from Mayor London Breed to City Assessor Joaqin Torres; congressional representatives such as Adam Schiff and Barbara Lee; state leaders like Secretary of State Shirley Webber and national leaders like U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.); House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield;

HNU Campus Sold to L.A. Firm ...

and most recently actress and activist Jane Fonda.

Yekutiel is the 33-year-old son of an Afghani father and Brooklynborn mother, raised in Los Angeles, a practicing Jew and gay.

Before creating his wildly successful civic engagement salon, he served in a variety of civic and political advocacy roles, including Organize for America (Obama’s campaign), Hillary for America and FWD.us, a coalition of technology and business leaders to politically activate the tech community.

Major League Baseball’s AntiTrust Exemption ...

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sent a letter to MLB Commissioner Robert Manfred requesting that he not be involved in active negotiations, despite his prior discussion of waiving the MLB’s standard “relocation fee,” which would be charged to a team in the event of their relocation to a new city.

stand to lose out as a result of corporate greed in sports,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.

Currently, Major League Baseball is exempt from federal antitrust laws based on a century-old determination by the Supreme Court. The bill seeks to fairly compensate cities for the revenue, jobs, and commerce lost when a team leaves their community.

Amendments to Oakland’s Proposed Budget ...

Continued from page 1 to begin consideration of amendments to the budget proposed by Mayor Sheng Thao on May 1.

has long been a resource to the City of Oakland and the Bay Area, and we expect it to continue to be an asset to the community and its students for years to come,” he said.

“There are many organizations in dire need of educational space, and we believe there will be significant interest in leasing this site,” said Andy Van Tuyle, BH Properties senior managing director, investments, according to a statement quoted by the Chronicle. “The history, location, and amenities provide a unique opportunity to provide facilities for the many educational institutions seeking expansion alternatives.”

With connections to a large charter school network, Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, BH Properties owns property

Civilian Oversight of Sheriff’s Dept. ...

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Continued from page 1 Sheriff with subpoena power so that violence in the jail and deaths like my brother’s can be fully investigated.”

Alameda County voters want oversight of law enforcement. They voted twice by over 80% for police oversight in Oakland and elected a new reform-minded sheriff who campaigned supporting oversight of her own office. Community engagement by the sheriff’s office itself has shown the highest priority - 80% - is for oversight and transparency.

The Board of Supervisors organized a year-long process and heard the same message overwhelmingly from their constituents. Yet now Supervisors say they are unclear if voters want effective oversight of law enforcement. Meaningful, effective, independent oversight of the Sheriff’s Department must include: Independent legal counsel for the Oversight Board separate from County Counsel which represents the interests of the county in lawsuits that may be at odds with oversight.

• An Oversight Board of diverse backgrounds and knowledge, not representing law enforcement or county officials. Candidates for the Oversight Board should be recruited by a selected panel of county residents for appointment by the Board of Supervisors

• An Inspector General with subpoena power with authority to provide professional, full-time assistance

• Adequate resources, including investigators and policy analysts

Before voting on oversight, we call on each Supervisor to commit to refusing campaign contributions from law enforcement unions so the public can trust their decisions are not influenced by the police

throughout the country. Since it was founded in 1994. the company has about 10 million square feet of commercial assets and 2,100 multifamily units.

Betting on a “dramatic and troubling increase” in defaults, foreclosures, receiverships and bankruptcy filings across the country, the company created a $200 million fund to target distressed assets in response to the pandemic in 2020.

“BH Properties sees a growing opportunity to acquire attractive real estate by buying non-performing loans over the next few months as raising borrowing costs make refinancing harder and harder. The choppier the markets get, the better for groups like us that thrive on these market disruptions,” Brooks said in an interview in July 2022 on a real estate website, Real Estate Capital USA.

Brokers David Klein and Jeff Moeller of Lee & Associates are

unions’ deep pockets. If Supervisors don’t trust what they learned from their own constituent outreach, they should place an initiative for strong, independent sheriff oversight on the 2024 ballot.

Current county oversight proposals are less effective and will perpetuate a culture that drastically needs to change. It is critical that the Supervisors create oversight that includes the demonstrated desire of county residents for real accountability and reform, not win-

“This legislation will ensure that no city and community is left behind when billionaires decide that lining their own pockets is more important than the community that supports them,” said Lee. “The Oakland Athletics have been an institution of the East Bay for over half a century. If the A’s ownership group decides to leave, Oakland should not be left emptyhanded.”

“I am proud to introduce this bill with Congresswoman Lee on behalf of the East Bay and communities across the country that

School Board Election ...

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liams, Jennifer Brouhard, and Valarie Bachelor.

On the other side are Board President Hutchinson, Sam Davis, and Cliff Thompson, who have tended to align with positions taken by the district administration, including voting to potentially merge or consolidate schools and voting to cut special education special day classes and programs in the face of major parent opposition.

So far, one candidate for the D5 seat has stepped forward: Sasha Ritzie-Hernandez, who strongly supports Oakland educators. A graduate of Oakland High and Holy Names University, she already has a campaign website: www.sasharitziehernandez.com.

Born in Mexico, she migrated to Oakland at the age of 12 in 2002 and has lived in the Fruitvale District for more than 20 years. Her mother was a teacher in Mexico for 24 years, and Ritzie-Hernandez describe herself as someone who was on the “frontlines” backing the

Major League Baseball claims that the anti-trust exemption is necessary to keep franchises from frequently changing cities. However, if a professional baseball club is deliberately incentivized to leave their home city and bring their revenue elsewhere, the legal and public policy bases for such exemption should be nullified, rendering MLB subject to the Sherman Act.

To read the full text of the bill, click, visit: https://lee.house.gov/ imo/media/doc/moneyball_act. pdf.

Sean Ryan is communications director in Congresswoman Barbara Lee’s media relations office.

last two Oakland teachers’ strikes.

Openly queer and married to a woman, she is coalition coordinator of the Bay Area Coalition for Education Justice (BACEJ), where she works for “quality public education for students,” she said on her website.

She has been an activist much of her life. While in high school she organized against police brutality in the wake of the killing of Oscar Grant and worked for the DREAM Act.

She formerly worked for Alameda County’s Registrar of Voters Office as a bilingual instructor and organized support for the campaign for the passage of Reparations for Black Students resolution. She currently serves on the Alameda County Spanish Language Advisory Committee.

“My goal (on the board) is to create a culture of accountability through authentic shared decisionmaking. With your support we can have a school board that centers and is accountable to students, families, and educators,” she wrote.

Compassion in Action – First Presbyterian Church Hosts Concert for the Unhoused at Mosswood Park

dow dressing.

We join county residents who are hopeful about newly elected Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez. But oversight isn’t about who is sheriff – it’s good government that can build trust with the community and save taxpayer money by strengthening effective law enforcement and addressing the issues that have led to numerous expensive lawsuits against the county.

Effective civilian oversight will assist the Board and sheriff in determining and making the reforms that the Alameda County’s Sheriff’s Department and jail need.

Oversight gives residents a voice to raise issues of concern and ensure a dedicated staff and Board to research and investigate policies and situations to bring recommendations to the Supervisors.

The Board of Supervisors discusses Sheriff Oversight at the Public Protection meeting on Thursday, June 22 at 10 a.m. The public can participate at 1221 Oak St, Oakland or on zoom (email sheriffoversight@gmail.com for link).

Katie Dixon, of All of Us or None; Moina Shaiq, of Interfaith Coalition for Justice in Our Jails and Rev. Derron Jenkins, Coalition for Police Accountability are the authors of this Op-Ed.

By Carla Thomas

A free concert, Compassion in Action, was held for the unhoused at Oakland’s Mosswood Park on Monday afternoon, June 12.

Headlined by blues favorite and local icon Faye Carol, the event also featured New Orleans Brass Band MJ’s Brass Boppers and blues titan Bernard Anderson and the Old School Band.

The semi cloudy day provided heat protection as guests enjoyed the sights and sounds of traditional jazz and blues flowing from the park’s amphitheater throughout the park near the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Broadway.

Event organizer Pastor Matt Prinz of First Presbyterian Church of Oakland says the idea for the event came about during the church’s work in the community.

“Our food service ministry serves about 300 meals a week and through conversations with those people and musicians we know is where the idea sprouted up,” said

“In the face of the worst deficit in Oakland’s history, we are standing together as One Oakland, focused on addressing the challenges we face,” said Council President Bas.

“Thanks to revenue and expenditure adjustments, we are now able to build upon Mayor Thao’s thoughtful and creative budget proposal to provide more support for the vital services residents rely on, including fire services, public safety, violence prevention, housing and economic development,” she said.

grants by $300,000 each year, adding funding for the activation of Frank Ogawa Plaza, providing business support by continuing the Facade Improvement Program and staffing for multilingual business assistance.

• Promoting clean and healthy neighborhoods by increasing funding for park maintenance and traffic safety improvements

“Over the last month, we have received a tremendous amount of feedback from Oakland residents and these amendments will allow us to better address community priorities,” said Kaplan. “By bolstering resources for violence prevention, homelessness, and economic and cultural development, we can support thriving and healthy communities.”

The Council Budget Team is comprised of Bas, councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan (At-Large), Carroll Fife (District 3) and Kevin Jenkins (District 6). Their amendments are based on weeks of public hearings and community meetings where members of the community weighed in on the proposed budget.

The Amendments include:

• Strengthening fire safety by designating FEMA SAFER grant funds to reverse a proposed rolling Fire Station brown-out, allowing the City to maintain fire service in all communities.

• Supporting public safety by adding funding for 24/7 crisis response, community ambassadors in business corridors, two civilian police investigators, and dedicating resources to allow MACRO to fill vacant positions more quickly.

• Working to reduce violence by investing $2.1 million in violence prevention programs, including $600,000 focused on sex trafficking.

• Housing homeless residents by creating a Rapid Response Homeless Housing Acquisition Fund with $8.8 million to create housing more rapidly for unhoused residents.

• Supporting the economy by increasing Cultural Affairs

Loman. “My mother used to sing the blues, so it’s really nice to walk into a free, open space concert.”

“Despite this tough budget year, I am excited and encouraged by Mayor Thao’s leadership and the progress we are seeing under her administration,” said Fife

“We are standing together to close the gap while preserving critical services and investing in our future,” she said.

“Our residents are asking for safer, cleaner and healthier communities, and we are going to deliver,” said Jenkins. “While we still had to make hard choices, we were able to find the resources to do more so we can be stronger tomorrow.”

The Council began consideration of these and other amendments at its June 14 meeting. A subsequent budget meeting is scheduled for June 26 at 4 p.m. The final budget must be approved by June 30.

Prinz. After receiving a grant, Prinz and organizers thought it would be a great idea to provide the unhoused a day of fun with free entertainment and food along with information to connect them with services.

“There’s a lot of festivals in Oakland. Not all of them are available for our unhoused neighbors, so we decided to dedicate a space specifically for them but invite everyone.”

Concert attendee, 24-year-old Payton Hanks, said she lives in her car and has been in California for four months. “I was driving by and heard the music and it’s wonderful because I’m from Louisiana,” she said as MJ and the Brass Boppers performed. “The weather is great, and this is my kind of music.”

When Arlene Loman of San Jose, said she got off at the wrong bus stop on Broadway, she heard the music and walked into the park’s amphitheater to the sounds of Bernard Anderson and the Old School Band.

“It was meant to be,” said

Volunteers distributed free food and unhoused people were provided services and programming for them at one booth. Security was provided by

Glad Tidings Church in Hayward. Gay Plair Cobb, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, found the event uplifting.

“When we find ways to bring all of our neighbors together, we’re really onto something,” said Cobb.

Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan (At-Large). File photo.

Councilmember Carroll Fife (District 3). File photo.

Councilmember Kevin Jenkins (District 6). File photo.

Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez

Brass Band MJ’s Brass Boppers perform at the Compassion In Action - Concert for the Unhoused at Mosswood Park Amphitheater in Oakland on Monday, June 12, 2023. Photo By Carla Thomas

Faye Carol headlines the Compassion in Action - Concert for the Unhoused at Mosswood Park Amphitheater in Oakland on Monday, June 12, 2023. Photo by Carla Thomas