Republicans Want Young Black People
By Emil Guillermo
was the secret weapon at the GOP convention this week.
I’ve covered live or watched nearly every political convention since 1980. This time, the only justifiable reason to watch was to see how a candidate was surviving an attempted assassination.
“I’m not supposed to be here,” Donald Trump told the NY Post.
“I’m supposed to be dead.”
That’s all due to Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, the man the FBI has identified as the shooter at the Butler, Pa., Trump rally last Saturday.
Crooks’ shocking actions momentarily sobered America.
Crooks, a registered Repub-
lican, according to voter records, has left little for investigators to surmise motive. From a high school photo, Crooks looks like a clean-cut White kid.
But Crooks, armed with an AR-556 rifle, grazed the former president’s ear, killed one person, wounded at least two others, and stunned everyone around the nation.
This isn’t supposed to happen in America.
Our Constitution lays out a process to solve differences. The First Amendment gives us free speech and the right to gather and express ourselves, which leads to debate, and agreement.
Not gunfire.
When the FBI reported that Crooks had been “neutralized,”
Black Caucus, Black Freedom Fund
Host State of Black California in Santa Barbara
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) in partnership with the California Black Freedom Fund hosted the second event in the “State of Black California” series in Santa Barbara on July 13.
The State of Black California is a “community conversation” organized to raise awareness about the effort to pay reparations to Californians who are the descendants of enslaved people in the United States.
Assemblymember Corey Jack-
son (D-Moreno Valley) led the discussion with policymakers and other stakeholders that centered on California’s role in slavery and discrimination suffered by African Americans.
Members of the CLBC also discussed details of the 2024 reparations bill package that was introduced earlier this year in the California Legislature.
The Equity Research Institute at the University of Southern California (USC) presented research data that detailed well-being indicators of Black residents along the Central Coast. Dr. Kim Tabari, director of external affairs at USC,
everyone was relieved.
For a while, everyone seemed civil. Cable news analysts were praying for Trump to live. That was more unity than we’ve seen since Trump de-normalized politics in 2016.
“There’s no place in America for this kind of violence, it’s sick,”
President Biden said at a news briefing the night of the shooting.
“It’s one of the reasons we have to unite this country.”
But would we see a changed Trump?
When the convention opened on Monday, Trump failed badly when he chose J.D. Vance, a young 39-year-old junior Republican Senator from Ohio as his running mate.
Vance is as polarizing as
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discussed key takeaways from an equity report published in 2021 highlighting regional disparities and facilitating ways to implement initiatives that promote social, economic, environmental, and health equity.
The equity report is a research project that includes an equity database, compiling data and information for teaching, research, policy, and action. The study examined the rise of social economic inequality and its impact on communities of color. The report indicated that systemic inequities imposed income, employment, education, health, and environmental burdens on Black people in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
Marc Philpart, executive director of CBFF, joined local community leaders and grassroots advocates discussing community building and organizing in the coastal region. Community leaders who contributed to the panel discussions include Jordan Killebrew of Juneteenth Santa Barbara, Simone Baker of Healing Justice Santa Barbara, and Audrey Gamble of Gateway Educational Services.
Santa Barbara was the second of a six-city tour hosted by CLBC and CBFF. The community events are hosted by CLBC members.
The next event will be hosted by Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) on Aug. 17, in Fresno.
For more information, residents can visit the event website and learn more about the series.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Last week, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) approved nearly $1.9 billion to upgrade and sustain public transportation systems statewide.
The state plans to invest a total of $5.1 billion among regional transportation planning agencies over several years, as mandated in Senate Bill (SB) 125, which Gov. Newsom signed into law in 2023.
The funding will pay for transit operations and capital improvements, allocating varying amounts of money to 22 agencies based on
population.
“This vital funding serves as a lifeline for transit agencies all over the state and helps to advance California’s ambitious, world-leading climate goals,” said Newsom.
At the same time, we’re adding accountability measures that help put our state’s transit agencies on a path toward long-term stability,” the Governor added.
Planning agencies will also receive funds from the transportation package. CalSTA plans to approve $500 million for projects implemented this summer. More funds will be approved for future
projects until the 2027-2028 fiscal year.
California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said the investment aligns with the state’s environmental and equity goals and responds to the needs of the public.
“California’s commitment to public transit is unwavering, and with billions more in funding in the pipeline — including for zero-emission equipment and operations — we are just getting started in delivering a more sustainable and equitable transit system for the people of California,” said Omishakin.
By Jeff Kunkel Special to The Post
If you ever shop at Rockridge Safeway, do yourself a favor – go to the end of the very longest checkout line and you will get to meet Terry Lee, who has been a Safeway checker for 49 years!
As you wait in line, you’ll notice how efficient and capable Terry is at her work, but as you get closer, you’ll also notice how she treats every customer with a quiet burst of kindness and friendliness.
You’ll hear her say, “How’s your day going today, dear?”
“Did you find everything you need?” And if they are regular customers, you’ll also hear, “Are you feeling better, Miss Davis?” “Is your sister still visiting, hon?” “Don’t let it get you down.” “Is this your grandson?” “Where’s your husband at, he well?” “I’m glad you bought that ham, it’s a great deal!”
Those customers return her kindness, bringing her presents, homemade cookies, birthday cards, and asking about her mother, who passed not long ago. Getting checked out by Terry just might be the highlight of your day! It’s the highlight of the day for many people – which explains the long lines at her check stand.
Terry was born and raised in Oakland, in a neighborhood where neighbors – even strangers - greeted one another on the street with a smile and kind word. She takes this experience to her work with the motto, “Being nice doesn’t cost a cent.”
She attended Brookfield Elementary School, Frick Jr. High, Fremont High School, and Amos Temple. She has a son, a daughter, and five grandchil-
Toks Omishakin (Courtesy of Toks Omishakin, X)
Terry Lee has been a checker at the store for 49 years. Courtesy photo.
Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley). Photo courtesy CBM.
Rapper, model and television personality Amber Rose
Rapper, model and television personality Amber Rose speaking at the GOP convention in Milwaukee. Photo courtesy RNC.
Don’t Sink: Adventures of a Rogue Shark Scientist
Author: Jasmin Graham, c.2024, Pantheon Books, $28.00
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Oh, those teeth!
Your finger practically bleeds just looking at them: three rows of perfect, razor-sharp white triangles that you know could hurt.
They’re inside a mouth made for swallowing you whole. That’s obvious, but when you think about it: are sharks really as bad as they seem? As you’ll see in the new book “Sharks Don’t Sink” by Jasmin Graham, maybe teeth are not the problem when it comes to studying the feared marine fish.
Maybe racism is.
Growing up near the ocean by Myrtle Beach, Graham fell in love with the water early in her life. She fell in love with the creatures there when she was ten, with her father, fishing — something her forebears had done on local piers for decades.
She knew then that she wanted to be a “shark scientist.”
She was eighteen when she first held a live shark, and that cemented her dream.
Not long afterward, though, Graham felt like she “had burned out completely.” She’d been trying to make it in “a toxic, White,
male-dominated... environment
laced with... casual and overt sexism and racism...” and it was harming her well-being. She was about to quit when she found a few other Black women who were shark scientists, too, and who were going through the same thing. Graham received instant support and it was life changing.
Two weeks later, the new friends had decided to mobilize.
They met a Miami investor who lent resources and who helped them found Minorities in Shark Science (MISS), an organization that gives BIPOC young women an introduction to shark science.
By then, Graham had decided to become a “rogue scientist” – one without academic backing, but whose research on sharks is essential in the field.
Sharks, says Graham, are not always the fearsome creatures that Hollywood wants us to believe. Yes, some sharks attack humans, but others are “kinda silly” sometimes, and some are “cutiepies.” And there’s still a lot we don’t know about them.
Says Graham, “So many questions. But that’s where science begins: with questions.”
Alright, here it is: the STEM book you can share with your young adult, a book that’s not stuffy or academic but that’ll teach you something truly interesting. Here: all the things you wanted to know about all kinds of sharks, in plain words that are friendly, thorough, smart, awed, and easy-to-understand. Right here.
And if the shark science doesn’t fascinate you enough, author Graham uses “Sharks Don’t Sink” to draw analogies between freedom and bias and between shark lives and Black lives. That’s done in the sweetest of ways, through Graham’s own story and that of her ancestors who steadfastly, fiercely stood up to racism and big business through the years. We also meet Graham’s father, an easygoing man who makes you want to sit on a quiet front porch with some sweet tea and a church fan. Ahhhhh.
Find this book for yourself, loan it to your 14-to-18-yearold, and be sure to ask for it back. “Sharks Don’t Sink” is the kind of book you’ll want to bite into twice.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
On July 10, California Fire
Chief Joe Tyler joined Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state emergency officials to announce that California has expanded response and readiness efforts for this year’s fire season.
Speaking at the CAL FIRE McClellan Air Tanker Base in Sacramento, the officials provided updates on the state’s wildfire response and readiness.
Tyler highlighted that fire crews across the state are battling fires nonstop.
“We are not just in a fire season, but we are in a fire year,” said Tyler.
State fire officials encouraged
residents to create wildfire action plans, including escape routes, meeting points, animal arrangements, and a communication plan with their families.
The state has prepared resources for aerial firefighting and plans to use new technologies to help protect communities from wildfire.
This year over 3,500 wildfires burned approximately 207,415 acres of land and damaged 128 structures across California.
“California is ready with the world’s largest aerial firefighting fleet and new technology that helps us fight fire smarter – and we’re already seeing our investments pay off,” said Newsom.
“The last couple of years brought welcome relief for Cal-
ifornia as we saw historically low levels of wildfire. This season is shaping up to be very active, bringing the threat of dangerous wildfire to many parts of our state,” the Governor added.
The California Legislature approved $2.6 billion as part of this year’s budget agreement to protect residents from wildfires. In recent years, the state spent approximately $200 million to improve forest health and fire prevention.
According to the Governor’s office, the state also plans to add 2,400 firefighters as full-time staff over the next five years. State firefighters will have shorter work weeks to help implement state programs and initiatives that address wildfires.
Author Jasmin Graham. Photo by Sonia Szczesna. Book cover photo Courtesy of Pantheon Books.
iStock image.
iStock image.
Republicans Want Young Black People ...
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Trump, and that’s just among Republicans. He is largely hated by moderates and loved by MAGA extremists.
The perfect veep? On Saturday, Vance blamed the assassination attempt on Joe Biden’s rhetoric that called Trump “an authoritarian fascist who must be stopped at all costs,” he wrote on X.
More lies.
Maybe we’d see a change at the convention? Not on day one, when Sen. Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) was animated in his praise.
“Our God still saves,” Scott said from the platform stage. “Because on Saturday, the devil came to Pennsylvania holding a rifle but an American lion got back on his feet and roarrrrrrrred!”
But the most dangerous speaker of the night was Amber Rose.
With 23 million social media followers Rose has clout.
“The left told me to hate Trump, and even worse to hate the other side — the people who support him,” Rose said.
“When you cut through the lies, you realize the truth. American families were better off when Donald Trump was President.”
Trump entered the hall like a WWE wrestler after giving Rose a standing ovation.
He didn’t have to say a word. Was he a changed man? He had discovered the power of silence. All the while wearing a white bandage, over his wounded ear, his White badge of victimhood. About the Author
Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. A former host of NPR’s “All Things Considered,” he is a board member of PEN OAKLAND. Contact: www. amok.com
Safeway Checker Terry Lee Has a Smile ...
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dren. She thinks that Mayor Lionel Wilson was Oakland’s best mayor, and that Oakland hasn’t had good leadership in a long time.
She moved to Antioch when her Oakland neighborhood got too dangerous. She says, “There aren’t enough consequences for committing crimes here, and even outsiders know that and come here.”
She’s also noticed how today’s customers are different from customers in years past. “People are more demanding now, so many are angry or fed up. I’ve seen it all – fights, people spitting on one another, stealing.”
When Terry sees this, she prays, “Father, please help them.” or, “please help me.” She says, “I’ve never gotten angry at a customer, but I’ve said a few choice words under my breath!”
She sees it all, but she maintains,” People are 99% good. I see people pay for other people’s groceries, help them to their car, or turn in a lost ATM card.”
Terry has found a way to turn a demanding, repetitive job into a lifelong career, a way to be kind no matter what, and a way to offer difficult people - like you and me – the chance to reset a bad day. Getting checked out by Terry just might be the highlight of your day.
Jeff Kunkel is an Oakland pastor, writer, and artist.
California Health Care Roadmap ...
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culturally responsive and more customized care, including housing aid, nutritious meals, and substance abuse treatment.
Backing up their commitment to health equity, DHCS leaders recently concluded a statewide tour to listen to Medi-Cal members who have experienced health inequity firsthand. These listening sessions, hosted by community-based organizations, were the first phase of the DHCS Health Equity Roadmap, a new multi-year initiative to create a more member-driven whole-person Medi-Cal.
“I feel like DHCS is approaching this with a humility,” said Debbie Toth, CEO of Choice in Aging (CiA), an organization that provides services for aging Californians in Napa, Solana, Sacramento and Contra Costa Counties.
“I think it’s cutting edge. I think it’s brilliant,” she added. Riley said to create meaningful change and foster genuine trust with Medi-Cal members, DHCS must work directly with members and trusted messengers particularly in Black and Indigenous communities of color who have not been historically underserved. DCHS’ multi-year initiative contains 3 phases. The first, which concluded recently, consisted of a member feedback listening tour that began in November of 2023. It consisted of 11 virtual and in person listening sessions with members across the state that were facilitated by Medi-Cal community partners in a variety of health care fields. These tours were focused in areas of the state most impacted by health disparities including rural areas and communities with a high concentration of minorities.
D.A. Announces Conviction in $359,720 Real Estate Fraud Elder Abuse Case ...
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then ingratiated himself with the victim, gaining her trust and eventually taking over all her finances.
Acting as both a realtor and a general contractor, the defendant is alleged to have convinced the victim to sell most of her properties.
During the escrow process Turgeman submitted fraudulent invoices for work that was never performed. This scheme allowed him to steal over $359,720 from the victim.
The scheme was uncovered when the victim began to receive notices in the mail that her bills were not being paid. She then told her friends, who had been very suspicious of the defendant. The friends looked through her bank accounts and then called the police.
Honoring the Cardiac Kids ...
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way established by one athlete with one team, by any professional athlete of color. As Steve Kerr said, Al Attles is the greatest Warrior of all time. In addition, the 1975 Warriors were the only team to ever assemble 10 active African American players in a single rotation all season.
The team was led by Rick Barry who was considered one of the best all-around players in the history of the game. The Cardiac Kids are also one of three teams to accomplish a sweep during the World Championship round in the NBA finals. The list of ‘firsts’ with this team goes “On and On” like the song written by Erykah Badu.
The Cardiac Kids were figuratively dubbed as underdogs and fighters, and at times, they literally fought. Teammates Wilkes and Dudley said that they considered themselves to be activists, rhythmically cool and athletically talented.
The team consisted of Butch Beard, Rick Barry, Charles Johnson, Clifford Ray, Jeff Mullins, Derrick Dickey, Phil Smith, Bill Bridges, Steve Bracey, George Johnson, Jamal Wilkes, and Charles Dudley. These guys gave the Bay Area spirit and hope. They were right in the epicenter of many social and cultural landmarks including the Black Panther era, the kidnapping of Patty Hearst, the Hippy era and true cultural activism in the Bay Area that moved to
D.A. Price Announces Motions for Resentencing ...
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Thomas was convicted in 1997 for the kidnapping, rape, and murder of Francia Young. He was 19 years old when these crimes were committed. He has served 31 years on death row. A motion to resentence Thomas has been filed and is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday. Tate was sentenced to death in 1993 for the murder of Sarah LaChapelle. A resentencing motion was filed to remove him from death row and to be resentenced to life without the possibility of parole. His hearing is scheduled for Aug. 16.
“Regarding the cases for Mr. Dykes and Mr. Thomas, the prosecutors’ behavior appears to have undermined the integrity of the convictions,” said Price. “The practice of excluding people from jury service based on their race, religion, or sexual orientation constitutes a betrayal of the public’s trust.
“I want to take this opportunity to apologize to the surviving family members of Lance Clark, Sarah LaChapelle, and Francia Young on behalf of the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. I want to also apologize to the Black, Jewish, and LGBTQ+ communities and to the public for what appears to be inappropriate, racist, homophobic, and sexist conduct by some of the pros-
“This theft would not have been uncovered if it weren’t for the hard work of the victim’s friends, the assistance of the Berkeley Police Department and the DA’s Real Estate Fraud team, including our inspector, deputy district attorney, and forensic auditor,” said Price. “This teamwork was able to bring major compensation to the victim and accountability to the defendant.”
Turgeman will be sentenced to four months of electronic home detention and placed on probation for two years. As part of the plea deal, Turgeman provided a $200,000 cashier’s check as a first payment toward the full restitution.
He will be required to pay the remaining $159,720 in restitution during the two years of his probation period. The sentencing will take place on Sept. 9 at the East County Hall of Justice in Dublin, Department 705.
The source of this story is the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
a beat of its own.
So how could a team with all of this social impact be left out of any conversation or celebration involving the current Golden State Warriors legacy? The Cardiac Kids were the only championship team never to be invited to the White House and they were never featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated. One must wonder why.
Charles Dudley, who is also known as the “Hopper”, and played a key role on this team, decided to invest his time and money to get this story out and heard by the people in his new documentary entitled “The Cardiac Kids.” It is scheduled to be released during All-Star Weekend, right here in the Bay Area with a special three-city tour of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, to give the loyal fan base a true look into this glorified franchise.
Oaklander Arif Khatib, director of the Afro Sports Hall of Fame, and a friend of Dudley and members of the 1975 championship team, has agreed to join with the Oakland Post and members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group to support Dudley’s drive to receive their White House honors and recognition.
“The Post will ask Congressperson Barbara Lee to carry Dudley’s wish to see Attles and his ‘75 championship teammates honored by Oaklander Vice President Kamala Harris and President Biden this year,” said Publisher Paul Cobb.
ecutors in this office.”
Price also announced to her staff on Tuesday the launch of a new Ethics Ombudsperson Office at the ACDAO. This is a natural extension of the ACDAO’s work supporting Alameda County’s Grand Jury in its ombuds role investigating local government to ensure public agencies are working in the best interests of the public.
The launch of the Ethics Ombudsperson Office is a testament to District Attorney Pamela Price’s commitment to government transparency and accountability to the community. It is the first of its kind in California District Attorneys’ offices.
The structure of the Ethics Ombudsperson Office is informed by the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice of the International Ombuds Association (IOA) and is further modeled on The Northern District of California (NDCA) Ombudsperson Program through which attorney members of the NDCA Bar may confidentially communicate feedback and concerns regarding the Court or individual judges.
The goal of the Ethics Ombudsperson Office is to prevent the unethical practices that have been unearthed inside the ACDAO. It will be led by Assistant District Attorney Kwixuan Maloof, who will serve as the office’s Ombudsperson and report directly to District Attorney Pamela Price.
Jury Delivers Guilty Verdict to Jamaal Thomas for the Murder of Miles Armstead
Special to The Post
Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced Wednesday that prosecutors obtained a conviction against Jamal Thomas (47) for the murder of Miles Armstead.
The jury deliberated for one day and found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder for the shooting death of Mr. Armstead. Mr. Thomas was also found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm by a felon with priors. The conviction also includes a gun enhancement.
The testimony and evidence presented at trial showed that on May 1, 2020, Armstead was running away from Mr. Thomas when the deadly shooting occurred. The incident was preceded by months of verbal attacks by Thomas against Armstead and his family, which had escalated to rock- and brickthrowing through the windows of the victim’s home.
At the time of his death, Mr.
Valuable
Guidance in Reparations Book ...
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nity by circulating our dollars with one another, and we can make better investments for the posterity of our families, our community, and our people, and we can also restore and repair Black human beings to be functional healthy earthlings on the planet instead of dealing with trauma.
How will reparations allotments affect Black cooperative economics, and business development activities?
We will have more Black financial institutions such as banks and lenders to help us build our economics. We will have more Black publicly traded companies on the stock market that can have more reach and more impact regionally and nationally on Black economic Empowerment, spending and opportunity. We will have more land in the hands of Black landowners, and we will also be able to affect the infrastructure, the physical landscape of Black neighborhoods and communities by being able to develop them with more resources and more material and more intentionality and purpose through our educated scholars in the fields of science architecture, engineering, and sociology.
Newsom Intensifies Efforts to Fight Crime ...
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since February.
The state initially deployed 120 officers earlier this year to Oakland and surrounding Alameda cities to help local law enforcement target vehicle theft, retail theft and violent crime in the area.
Over the course of the following months, officer presence decreased but the few that remained helped crack down on crime and improve public safety, according to numerous reports by the governor’s office.
While CHP and Oakland Police Department (OPD) are doing well to target and investigate these crimes, Newsom said he was disappointed in the lack of action from the Alameda District Attorney’s office (DAO) to prosecute criminals.
“We also are mindful that we need to be more aggressive as it relates to the investigations and accountability, and the prosecutions of some of these cases,” Newsom said at a press conference.
Instead of waiting on the DA’s office to act, Newsom announced that the state will defer some of the more complex cases to the At-
Exoneration of Port Chicago 50 ...
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munitions were being loaded onto ships. This incident accounted for more than 15% of all African American Naval casualties during WWII and was the deadliest home front disaster during the war.
While white officers were given time off, African American sailors were forced to return to the same unsafe working conditions that killed their colleagues, having never been properly trained in safe munitions loading and handling practices. When 50 of these men understandably refused, they were discriminately charged and convicted of mutiny.
the Friends of the Port Chicago 50, Congressman George Miller and John Lawrence, his then chief of staff, and Representatives Barbara Lee and John Garamendi for their efforts to help accomplish this monumental feat.”
Armstead was doing landscaping on his house to prepare it for sale because of the harassment by Mr. Thomas. Neighbors identified the defendant as the shooter.
“I first want to thank the jury for their diligent work in delivering this guilty verdict,” said Price. “I also want to thank our entire prosecution team, including Deputy District Attorney Nathan Feldman, DAO Inspector Jason Turner, Victim-Witness Advocates Erica Chavis, Fabiola Guitierrez, and Mayra Canales. We recognize this horrific tragedy leaves a wife without a husband and her children without a father and a community forever traumatized by this unacceptable and vicious attack on an unarmed man.”
Mr. Thomas faces 36 years and nine months to life in prison. Sentencing is set for Aug. 13.
This report came from the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office.
What plans do you have with Marcus Books store?
I would like for everyone to ask Marcus Books to purchase my book “Got Reparations 21 Questions, 21 Answers” and that will give them a reason to invite me to have a book signing so if you’re reading this article, go ask them for my book and they can order it in bulk for 25 copies for less than one copy cost so they can make a profit and people can purchase my book locally at a Black-owned bookstore in Oakland.
What connections does reparations have to Juneteenth?
Reparations is about the repair of Black people in America based on the past injustices and inter-generational traumas that we have experienced in our lifetimes. So, Juneteenth can be utilized as a platform to address what “freedom” means after the generational trauma of being enslaved in order to usher in healthy conversations and measures to heal our people and create healthy and sustainable communities.
To include encouraging specific professional field of study and scholarships, such as doctors, crafts people, farmers, security, architects, engineers, scientists, artists, and healers as well as teachers.
torney General’s office. He emphasized that this task is not the AG’s responsibility, but the DA’s, yet he will do what’s best to alleviate the burden for the county.
The DAO received $2 million to fund a new prosecution team for organized retail crime in 2023. The team launched in January 2024, but no data has been provided on how many cases they have prosecuted thus far.
The District Attorney’s office did not respond for comment at the time of publication.
The temporary increase in CHP officers draws on the already present investments his administration has made.
In the spring, Newsom announced that the state would install 480 high-tech cameras in Oakland and the surrounding East Bay to assist law enforcement in identifying vehicles linked to crimes.
Prior to that, his team also partnered with CalTrans to execute a 10-point action plan for Oakland to improve street safety. The plan includes city beautification, cleaning up homeless encampments, community outreach, employment opportunities and more.
Since coming to Congress 26 years ago, Congresswoman Lee has led the fight for justice for and exoneration of these sailors through legislation and work with the U.S. Navy and multiple Administrations, dating back to 2016.
Last year, Representatives Lee, DeSaulnier and John Garamendi (CA-8) introduced H.Con.Res.16, a resolution recognizing the victims of the Port Chicago explosion of July 17, 1944, the 79th anniversary of the greatest homeland loss of life of World War II, and exonerating the 50 African-American sailors unjustly court-martialed by the Navy.
“This is a monumental day for justice and for the families of the Port Chicago 50. I appreciate the Secretary of the Navy taking this crucial action to exonerate these courageous men who were unjustly court-martialed by the Navy following the explosion at Port Chicago,” said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “On the 80th anniversary of this tragic event, it’s fitting that these men are not only exonerated, but honored for their service to this country. I have been working on this issue with former Congressman George Miller and Congressman DeSaulnier since coming to Congress 26 years ago. This is long overdue.”
“After nearly a decade fighting for justice for the Port Chicago 50, I commend the U.S. Navy and thank Navy Secretary Del Toro for exonerating these heroes and President Biden for his support. Today our nation stands one step closer to fulfilling its founding promise of equality and justice for all,” said DeSaulnier.
“I thank Rev. Diana McDaniel and
40 Miles of Street Paving ...
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and other vital services throughout the ongoing pandemic, the plan is being delivered at a record pace.
Further, OakDOT has continued increasing its investments to build internal capacity with in-house paving crews – and City staff themselves pushed the mileage over the 40-mile mark this year.
“As a former member of the Measure KK Infrastructure Bond Oversight Committee, I got to see paving plans as a civilian,” Councilmember Carroll Fife said. “Now as City Councilmember for West Oakland, I am excited to see those plans come to fruition. Shout out to city workers who, without their hard work even during a pandemic, this latest pavement milestone would not be possible.”
“The hardworking crews that are out there making it happen are a daily inspiration to us all and a reminder of that deep call to service that unites all Oaklanders – we are humbled and inspired by their example,” OakDOT Director Ryan Russo said. “These safer, smoother streets and sidewalks are only possible because Oakland voters agreed to support these workers and these services with the landmark Measure KK, so we also recognize and thank our community for making the investment in the crews out here getting it done. And finally, we thank the City Council for adopting a first-in-the-nation paving plan that invests paving dollars by weighing equally the proportion of poor-condition streets in an area and the proportion of our underserved communities who live there, putting our Oakland values into action.” Measure KK, passed by Oakland voters in 2016, provides $350 million in bond funding over a ten-year period to repair Oakland roads. In May 2019 the City Council adopted a paving plan OakDOT developed to put Measure KK funds to work, and that plan kicked
“I thank Navy Secretary Del Toro for his exhaustive review and exonerating the Port Chicago 50, correcting 80 years of injustice. The Port Chicago 50 were ordered to their deaths in the summer of 1944, nearly four years before President Truman signed the executive order formally banning racial segregation in the American military. Now, 80 years later, the families of the Port Chicago 50 convicted for mutinying against an order that should never have been given finally have closure. Their full exoneration brings a sense of justice that has been long overdue. As Port Chicago’s Congressman, I am proud to stand with the families of these servicemen and my colleagues, Representatives Mark DeSaulnier and Barbara Lee, in celebrating this historic moment,” said Congressman John Garamendi.
“When I learned of the exoneration I burst into tears, this has been a long-time coming. It is so sad that Robert Allen and the PC 50 and the sailors who were penalized are not with us to celebrate. I am so grateful to the Biden administration, to the Secretary of the Navy, to our Champions Rep. DeSaulnier and former Congressman George Miller. So many people have worked on this - a major wrong has been righted,” said Reverend Diana McDaniel, president of The Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial.
“Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reminded us that ‘the arc of The Moral Universe is long, but it bends towards justice,’ and today’s action by President Biden and Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro at long last corrects a grievous historical wrong,” said former Congressman George Miller. “I salute colleagues in Congress, state and local government and many others, especially Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, for persisting in this long battle to clear the names of the Port Chicago 50. Special recognition is also due to Rev. Diana McDaniel of the Friends of Port Chicago, Thurgood Marshall, Jr., and the late historian Robert Allen, who have played crucial roles in telling the Port Chicago story and in demanding justice.”
off in earnest on July 1, 2019. How streets were selected: in 2018 the City performed a survey of every street in Oakland to get updated information about each street’s condition. OakDOT prioritized major streets by street condition and crash history, to keep major streets in good condition, and frontload safety improvements on the streets where the most fatal and severe crashes occur.
For local streets, OakDOT organizes its paving interments through nine planning areas – geographic segments that cover all of Oakland, and which are larger than neighborhoods but smaller than Council districts. The plan divides the $75 million in local streets repaving into these areas, weighing two factors: (1) the proportion of poor-condition local streets each area contains, and (2) the proportion of Oakland’s historically underserved communities that live in each area. These two factors – street condition and equity – are weighed equally and each area gets a share of the local streets funding according to that result. To select individual streets, OakDOT first identified the worst streets near schools, and then prioritized the worst-condition streets in each area. The final list of streets was included in the plan when Council adopted it in may – that list is online in map form at https://www.oaklandca.gov/ projects/2019-paving-plan.
Residents are encouraged to request infrastructure maintenance services and report problems through any of the following means: • Phone: Call 311 from any phone within Oakland. (If calling from outside Oakland, use the number 510-615-5566.) E-mail: OAK311@oaklandca. gov • Web: 311.oaklandca.gov Mobile App: OAK 311, available free for Apple and Android smart devices (powered by SeeClickFix)
