Oakland Post, week of August 9 - 15, 2023

Oakland District 7 City Councilmember Treva Reid kicked off the 2023 Community Safety Task Force Day of Action series on Friday, July 28.

This is the second year of the series where attendees were able to get resources like housing support, community safety services, adult and youth employment opportunities, nutrition and wellness, job opportunities, anti-displacement programs, gang violence intervention, re-entry information for the formerly incarcerated citizens and more. “It was an honor to support the growth and safety of our residents,” said Reid, “The goal of the Community Safety Task Force is to ensure that District 7’s community has direct access to essential resources in their neighborhoods. Our Day of

Action signifies the power of collaboration and fellowship across multiple sectors in the City of Oakland and the Bay Area at large.”

The Community Safety Task Force was initiated by a combination of city and county partners, private stakeholders, and communitybased organizations, who hold a collective vision of supporting District 7’s most underserved (BIPOC, youth, seniors, and unhoused) residents who have been victims of violence or are at-risk of becoming victims of and/or enacting violence.

“Leadership stability and action are critical – especially in times of crisis. We must develop a regional approach to strategizing and implementing community safety initiatives with accountability for the brazen criminal activity tak-

By Post Staff

The Democratic Party of Alameda County has voted overwhelmingly to oppose the recall of District Attorney Pamela Price, pledging to organize to defeat the recall of the progressive D.A., now in office for only eight months.

The recall effort is backed by conservative special interests and individuals that supported her opponent in the general election last fall and is also fueled by community fears about raising crime.

At their Aug. 2 meeting, 83% of Alameda County Democratic Party voting members opposed the recall

in a resolution that said their organization “condemns the effort to recall District Attorney Pamela Price a few months after the voters of Alameda County chose DA Price in a decisive election, before her policies can even have the desired impact.”

The resolution also pledged to contribute “educational and electoral efforts to the campaign to stop any potential recall of our elected District Attorney.”

“Alameda County voters picked Pamela Price to reform a system that is as unsafe as it is unjust,” said Cristine Soto DeBerry, founder and

By Post Staff

Tidewater Capital, a San Francisco-based developer, has already been caught up in controversy in recent months over a proposed project that threatens an historic venue, Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, in Oakland’s downtown Black Arts Movement and Business District.

Now, Tidewater has defaulted on another of its Oakland properties, a $25.5 million debt and surrendered its ownership of an historic office building at 1440 Broadway to its lender, the San Francisco Business Times reported.

Tidewater gave up the 10-story office building to New York-based Brightside Capital, which took control of the 83,000-square-foot property.

Tidewater and Paris-based

Axa had bought the office building in 2018 for $43.5 million and refinanced it in 2021 with a floating-rate loan from BrightSpire.

According to news reports, it is unclear whether Axa was still a co-owner of the property at the time of the surrender, and it was uncertain why Tidewater gave up the property three years before its loans were due.

The value of the building, currently 60% leased, grew 250% in the three years before the pandemic. The restored 1911 brick building has marble interiors, oak finishes, high ceilings, large windows, and historic light fixtures.

The building changed hands several times: it was purchased in 2015 for $15.75 million, sold again for $25.35 million, and then sold to Tidewater and Axa at a

Continued on page 8

City of Oakland Fire Department, Special to The Post

Although smoke continues to rise from a fire on Wednesday at the Schnitzer Steel/Radius Recycling at 1101 Embarcadero West in Oakland, area fire crews assure Bay Area residents that the fire was nevertheless contained in just a few hours.

Oakland Fire crews and heavy equipment operators from Schnitzer Steel/Radius Recycling worked through the night and into the early morning pulling apart the debris pile where the fire originated.

They made significant progress clearing away large sections of the pile while mitigating any remaining hotspots and preventing flareups.

This preventative activity is what is causing smoke to continue rising from the location, however smoke conditions are much lighter than they were yesterday. Oakland Fire anticipates being on scene for several more hours today. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The “Oakland Fire Department swiftly arrived on the scene in re-

Special to the Post Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) toured Black-owned satellite manufacturer Akash Systems in West Oakland to celebrate Black Business Month. The visit came after Rep. Lee supported their bid to receive funding from the CHIPS and Science Act.

The CHIPS and Science Act, passed one year ago Wednesday, makes historic investments in American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security.

Akash Systems is pioneering the development and use of certain

advanced semiconductors for U.S. critical infrastructure and national security needs.

The company is seeking $300 million in CHIPS and Science Act funding to expand their manufacturing footprint in the Bay Area, a proposal Congresswoman Lee and Senators Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein wrote to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo in support of in June.

Lee toured the Akash manufacturing site, met with workers, and spoke with the leadership team

Special to The Post

‘Miz April,’ the host of the Gospel Experience on KPFA 94.1 FM, immerses her audience in various genres of sacred music on Saturday mornings from 6-9 a.m.

Her listeners are graced by throwbacks of favorite singers, groups, and choirs ranging from years past to new and upcoming artists that are taking Gospel music to new levels.

She clearly knows her stuff and has a performing and production background to bolster her presentations.

Born April M. Wright, the Richmond native began singing at the North Richmond Missionary Baptist Church at 8 years of age and first appeared on stage when she was cast in David Leonard’s adaptation of “Little Shop of Horrors.”

Since then, Wright has lectured and directed choirs locally and internationally: Those include the California State Baptist Conven-

tion, Northern California Chapter; Gospel Music Workshop of America; the historic Bethel A.M.E. Church and Third Baptist Church of San Francisco.

Over the last 16 years she has appeared in productions of various plays including “The Dearly Departed” (2018, 2015 ); “Crowns” (2016, 2010); “The Wiz” (2011); and “The Black Nativity” (2007). Wright’s production company, Symphony Enterprises, premiered her music review, “Chicken, Chitlins and Caviar,” a musical journey through African American culture in 2017.

Wright received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Union Institute and University, Cincinnati, OH. She has done continuing education at Jackson State University, Jackson, MS; UCLA School of Business, Los Angeles, CA; and Laney College, Oakland, CA.

Craig Young is the managing principal of Tidewater Capital. Courtesy photo.

Oakland City Council District 7 Councilmember Treva Reid supporting clean-up efforts on International Blvd. Allen Temple Baptist Church. California Black Media photo. Photo by Krystal Raheem.

Firefighters battle flames at the Schnitzer Steel/Radius Recycling plant in West Oakland. Bay City News photo.

Rep. Barbara Lee speaks with a team member of Akash Systems at the tech company’s West Oakland satellite office. Courtesy photo.

April Wright. Courtesy photo.

California DOJ, Legislators Warn of Growing Danger of ‘Ghost Guns’

“This is a health issue,” he said.

Ghost guns have been used in several California mass shootings. In 2022, David Mora, was banned from possessing a gun because of his criminal record. He later went on a gun rampage in Sacramento County, shooting his three children and a social worker. The gun was created with a 3-D printer.

He also stated that legislation on ghost guns was needed because technology is moving faster than the law.

“Technology has advanced faster than policies and bills,” he said.

By Manny Otiko California Black Media

A new report released by the California Department of Justice warns of the danger of ghost guns (weapons assembled at home that have no serial numbers).

The weapons cannot be traced, making them a go-to for criminals who want to operate under the radar of law enforcement.

Over the past few years, the use of ghost guns has surged as people have been able to make them by producing gun parts with 3-D printers.

According to the California Department of Justice report, from 2020-21, the use of ghost guns jumped by about 10,000, from 13,000 to 23,000 incidents. However, the use of ghost guns recently decreased to about 21,000 incidents per year.

Since 2016, Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) has been a vocal opponent of ghost guns, pointing to the many threats they pose.

Gipson said many Americans are unaware of the danger of ghost guns. This year, he authored Assembly Bill 1089, which bans the sale, purchase and possession of ghost gun technology.

The bill is currently under review in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

“Irresponsible companies have continued to sell machines that are explicitly designed as ghost gun

manufacturing machines while deceptively claiming that these machines do not have the ‘primary’ purpose of manufacturing firearms,” according to a fact sheet from Gipson’s office.

Existing law in California prohibits persons or corporations from manufacturing or assembling firearms that are not imprinted with a valid state or federal serial number.

“These companies fail to inform buyers that it is now unlawful in California to use these machines to produce firearms without a firearm manufacturer’s license.

“Additionally, while California law currently prohibits unlicensed manufacturers from using a 3-D printer to produce firearms, state law does not regulate the sale of 3-D printers that are designed or marketed as ghost gun manufacturing 3-D printers,” according to Gipson’s office’s fact sheet.

Gipson represents the 65th Assembly district that covers cities such as Willowbrook, Compton, Long Beach, and parts of Los Angeles. His district has been plagued with gun violence arising from both registered and unregistered firearms.

In many cases, people who can’t get legal guns, because they don’t want to go through background checks, turn to ghost guns. And they are often used for nefarious purposes. Black and Brown people are the main victims, according to Gipson.

Gipson isn’t the only legislator who has taken action on ghost guns.

Senate Bill (SB)1327, authored by Sen. Bob Hertzberg (D-San Fernando Valley,) and approved by Gov. Gavin Newsom, allows Californians to sue people who manufacture, transport, and distribute ghost guns for up to $10,000.

“Our message to the criminals spreading illegal weapons in California is simple: you have no safe harbor here in the Golden State,” Newsom said in a speech at Santa Monica College, the site of a 2014 mass shooting that killed six people.

“As the U.S. Supreme Court expands the right to own guns, California continues to add new ways to restrict them. California will use every tool at its disposal to save lives, especially in the face of an increasingly extreme Supreme Court,” said Newsom in a press statement.

Outcome of Lawsuit Against Critical Race Theory Ban Will Have Broad Implications in California

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson California Black Media

The Temecula Valley Unified School District is facing litigation over its ban of critical race theory.

The suit contends that the board’s ban violates the California Constitution’s guarantee of a “fundamental right” to an education that protects students from racial discrimination. It also claims the ban violates state laws mandating learning standards that

include discussions about racism, inequality and how past events are relevant in the present day.

Critical race theory is an examination of how racial inequality and racism are systematically imbedded in United States’ institutions. The suit was filed on behalf of Temecula students, parents, teachers and the local teacher’s union by the public-interest law firm Public Council and the law firm Ballard Spahr.

Students and teachers from

the district have expressed their concern how the lack of open discourse concerning race and systematic racism could stifle learning and growth.

If the suit overturns the ban, a domino effect could occur as attorneys in other states are exploring similar litigation. Thirty-six states have restricted education on racism, bias, or the contributions of specific racial or ethnic groups to U.S. history.

In Memoriam: Charles Ogletree, Celebrated Harvard Law Professor, Native Californian, Civil Rights Champion and Mentor to the Obamas

Successful applicants for the grants can expect funding to cover transportation, program operations, staffing, supplies/equipment and other costs often presenting barriers for underserved communities throughout the state, according to California State Parks. Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)3 status and local, state and federal agencies are eligible to apply.

are heartbroken to hear about the passing of our friend Charles Ogletree. He was an advocate for social justice, an incredible professor, and a mentor to many — including us. Our thoughts are with his wife, Pamela, his entire family, and everyone who knew and loved this remarkable man.”

As an advocate for justice, Ogletree was involved in numerous groundbreaking cases and initiatives that centered on race, class, and criminal justice.

State

Opens $50 Million in Grant Funding for Nature-Based Outdoor Program

By Kathy Chouteau

California State Parks is rolling out the Outdoor Equity Grants Program’s (OEP) second application period, making available $50 million in grant funding for nature-based outdoor programs. The deadline to apply for the statewide OEP program is Thurs., Dec. 14.

Gov. Gavin Newsom enacted the OEP in 2019 when he signed Assembly Bill 209—now a facet of his Outdoors for All Initiative.

California State Parks said the grant funding not only helps create hubs for underserved communi-

ties to experience activities/trips to natural areas, but also empowers youth/families with outdoor leadership education, career pathways, environmental justice engagement and access to nature.

Potential applicants have access to eight in-person workshops hosted by California State Parks between Labor Day and the end of September, as well as three virtual application workshops in October—all scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. RSVP links to the workshops can be found at http://www. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30443

California State Parks noted that for the program’s first grant cycle, it assessed 384 grant applications totaling $167.78 million in requests, with $57 million in grant funding being awarded.

One example of a local funding awardee was the City of Richmond, which received $700,000 during the first grant cycle for its Youth Outdoors Richmond Program nearby Nevin Community Center.

California State Parks said the program will encompass 99 community activity days for 12,000 participants and 36 trips to natural areas—including a Calaveras Big Trees State Park Camping Trip— for 1,200 people during three years of programming.

To find out more about the grant program/application guide, sign up for emails re: application workshop schedules and for other assistance, visit: http://www. parks.ca.gov/oep

By Joe W. Bowers Jr. and Edward Henderson California Black Media

Charles J. Ogletree Jr., a renowned Harvard Law professor who was born in California’s Central Valley, passed away at his home in Odenton, Maryland, Aug. 4, after battling Alzheimer’s disease.

Ogletree, who was 70, rose from a humble and impoverished childhood in Merced where his parents worked as seasonal farm laborers. Affectionately known as “Tree,” he picked cotton, almonds and peaches as a kid.

The Merced County courthouse was renamed after him in February in recognition of his contributions to law, education and civil rights.

A member of the A.M.E. Church, Ogletree attended Stanford University, where he immersed himself in political activism, lead-

ing the Black Student Union and editing a Black student newspaper.

Graduating from Stanford with an M.A. and B.A. (with distinction) in Political Science, he later earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School.

After finishing law school, Ogletree became a celebrated public defender in Wash., D.C., and an attorney representing high-profile clients such as John A. Gotti, Tupac Shakur, and Anita Hill during her sexual harassment accusation against U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas.

As a Harvard Law School professor, Ogletree brought a clinical focus to the institution, emphasizing legal theory while also increasing the faculty’s diversity. He mentored numerous students, including Barack and Michelle Obama.

Obama posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Michelle and I

He founded Harvard’s Criminal Justice Institute, which provides legal representation for underprivileged clients in the Boston area. Additionally, he established the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice, named after the civil rights lawyer who taught Thurgood Marshall.

Ogletree’s commitment to racial equality and addressing historical injustices was evident in his tireless quest for justice and financial redress for the survivors of the 1921 Tulsa race massacre and the descendants of enslaved people.

Beyond his legal work, Ogletree was an accomplished author and legal commentator writing extensively on capital punishment, life without parole, and police conduct in minority communities.

Charles J. Ogletree Jr. is survived by his wife, Pamela Barnes, two children, Charles J. Ogletree III and Rashida Ogletree-George, as well as siblings, grandchildren, and countless grateful students and admirers.

Students and teachers from the Temecula Valley Unified School District have expressed their concern how the lack of open discourse concerning race and systematic racism could stifle learning and growth.

Photo: iStockphoto

This year, Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson) authored a bill which bans the sale, purchase and possession of ghost gun technology. Image courtesy of CBM.

Charles J. Ogletree. CBM courtesy photo.

Photo by Pexels.

Photo: iStock photo

OPINION: When Trash Becomes Trash: Denunciation of Rap

ement of self-hate and negative messages about Black folks, and stereotypical tropes have been in existence since the birth of the nation.

But once upon a time, this self-destruction had difficulty metastasizing because the music that Black people embraced had expressed the richness of our culture.

We called it soul music because it moves your soul.

What is our music trying to move today?

Death Threats

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

In a statement sent to CBM, Grove who has been the main champion of SB 14, addressed the threats and said such attacks against lawmakers should be taken seriously.

“It can be a felony offense to threaten public officials in California. I urge any legislative member who has received a threat to contact the Capitol police immediately so that an investigation can take place and those making threats can be held responsible for their abhorrent actions,” Grove wrote.

By Charles Blackwell Special to The Post

An agenda for Black people’s self-destruction has come to the attention of a group of writers and artists.

Representing the souls of Black folks, a group of African American keepers of the culture standing on the shoulders of our ancestors by being well versed in history, traditions, socio-political thought, and the way African heritage and lived experience reflects an Afrocentric world view is calling for a reflective moment.

Besides myself, this concerned community includes: Warren Goodson, Artist North Carolina; Vincent Kobelt, poet writer, Sacramento; Safell Gardner, sculptor, Detroit; Stephen Monroe, poet/journalist, Washington D.C.; Arlene Goodson, poet, New York City; Alan Laird, artist/writer, Florida; Sylvester Guard, artist-poet, San Francisco; Bisola Marignay, poet writer, Oakland; Napoleon Henderson, artist with Afrocobra, Boston.

We have been missing the

mark as a community and failing our children by exposing them to the worst kind of rap music.

Melle Mel, one of the progenitors of rap and hip-hop, noted: “I would say this. Yesterday’s music is way better than today’s music. . . For 20 years now they have been talking about selling dope and killing people. We deserve a better life than this and we deserve better music…”

As Ice Cube said: ‘You better check yourself before you wreck yourself.’ And so, we have to check ourselves before we continue wrecking ourselves because our children’s well-being is in the balance.

While it is true that racism has a way of eroding the dreams of our youth, restricting their growth, and arresting their development, our own popular culture is also contributing to diminishing the dreams of our own youth.

Our children are being exposed to adult language and concepts contrary to their development: We must protect the innocence of our Black children. Of course, the destructive el-

On the turntable of influence today, we hear imitation music: high-tech electronic beeps, and fuzz-scattered, distorted voiceovers filled with cuss words degrading women and men, promoting violence, the glorification of gangs, immoral sexual behavior, and poor self-esteem all amplifying this new self-hatred.

You think to yourself, “Nothing can be done now. It’s too far gone to change it.” Yet the mental health of our youth is at stake. America doesn’t care about Black mental health — but we have to. Let us use an analogy to drive home this point.

Black American adults are nearly twice as likely as white adults to develop type 2 diabetes. If you have this condition you have to fight it in order to beat it and improve your health. You cannot improve your health if you have a defeatist attitude.

Something has gone terribly wrong with Black popular music and America does not care about the impact and role that hip-hop plays in the lives of our Black youth. We have to combat it ourselves in order to change it.

Next week: Part II

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), along with other Democratic lawmakers and April Grayson — a witness who last month testified against a sex trafficking bill proposing stiffer penalties for repeat offenders — have disclosed receiving death threats laced with the N-word and other racial slurs.

Jones-Sawyer and Grayson, who are both Black, said the threats and insults came by emails, telephone and social media.

“The number of death threats, people who threatened to rape members of the Assembly and their families, the number of times people were called the ‘N-word,’ and staff members who may be with the LGBTQ community, were called the ‘F-word,’” are just a sample of what Jones-Sawyer told California Black Media (CBM) he was hearing. “They were calling like crazy. That’s not a place for public discourse. You can disagree but you don’t have to be disagreeable.”

The hate-filled messages came after Jones-Sawyer, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee and other Democratic committee members were criticized for not supporting Senate Bill 14 authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield). The legislation proposes adding the sex trafficking of minors to the list of “serious” crimes under California’s Three Strikes law.

A conviction, including previous felonies, would increase prison sentences to 25 years to life. The trafficking of minors currently carries a prison term for up to 12 years, or 15 years to life.

On June 11, the Democratic majority on the Public Safety committee unanimously abstained from

voting on the bill. The committee’s two Republican members voted for it. The bill’s failure to advance from the committee drew national attention and sharp condemnation from conservative groups.

“After passing the Senate with a unanimous, bipartisan vote, I had hoped Democrats on the Assembly Public Safety Committee, led by Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, would agree to make sex-trafficking of a minor a serious felony,” Grove said in a statement after the committee vote.

“I am profoundly disappointed that committee Democrats couldn’t bring themselves to support the bill, with their stubborn and misguided objection to any penalty increase regardless of how heinous the crime,” Grove said.

Two days after SB 14 failed in the Public Safety committee, it passed with a 6-0 vote.

California Legislative Black Caucus members Assemblymembers Mia Bonta (D-Alameda) and Majority Leader Assemblyman Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) abstained from voting.

Jones-Sawyer has stated that he is committed to ending sex trafficking in California, but he wants to improve Grove’s bill so that it does not just result in more incarceration, considering that some of the offenders are victims themselves.

In the Legislature, Jones-Sawyer has also been a vocal supporter of shifting the focus of California’s criminal justice system from incarceration to rehabilitation.

Grayson is one of those victimoffenders who was trafficked as a child but ended up spending 17 years behind bars.

Since her release from prison in 2015, Grayson has been politically active. She worked on California Assembly Bill (AB) 124, which was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2021. The bill creates a channel for survivors of human trafficking to request a reduced prison sentence.

“(Grayson) broke my heart. She told us about being trafficked and then she became a trafficker. When she got caught, they put her in jail,” Jones-Sawyer said. “Nobody ever gave her any counseling or found her a safe place where she could go. They didn’t have that 20 years ago. She was not only victimized by the trafficker, but she was criminalized by our criminal justice system.”

VETERANS OF OAKLAND CALIFORNIA

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2727, located in Oakland, CA is seeking new members to join its Post.

Must meet eligibility as follows:

1. Proof of Service by providing a copy of your DD Fm 214

2. Must have been awarded a recognized campaign medal or badge

3. Served in Korea between 30 June 1949 until present, or earned Hostile Fire or Imminent Danger Pay as evidenced by your DD Form 214.

4. Overseas service in hostile areas.

If eligible, Post 2727 will pay the membership fee for the pt 2 years of your membership. For more eligibility details and to apply, please contact one of the following individuals:

Arthur Butler, 253-343-8554

Aumont Phipps 510-677-4843

Al Dean 510-332-2891

Photo: iStock photo

April Grayson, who said she was sex trafficked and became a trafficker herself before doing 17 years in prison, opposes SB 14. CBM file photo by Antonio Ray Harvey. Assemblymembers, Hearing Witness, Report N-Word-Laced

COMMENTARY: Stealing Votes Is the Worst Kind of Theft

Black vote. In this modern context, updated in 1948, it raises the seriousness of Trump’s alleged actions.

If you were one of the 81 million Americans who voted for the winning Biden/Harris ticket, Trump was doing all he could to keep your vote from counting in order to stay in power.

If you weren’t, Trump’s still trying to change the will of the people.

cuses on Trump’s pressuring Vice President Mike Pence to overturn the decertification process on Jan. 6, 2021, with the insurrection as a backdrop.

Pence told Trump as early as Christmas Day 2020, “You know, I don’t think I have the authority to change the outcome.”

By Emil Guillermo

My latest monologue, “Emil Amok: Lost NPR Host…” will be this Saturday at the SF Fringe’s Cutting Ball Theater at 277 Taylor.

That’s not Taylor Swift’s street.

It’s the Tenderloin. If you know it only from the news, or driving by, you might freak out. But a theater stands there like an oasis. That art is being created in the Tenderloin gives hope.

It’s also where my Dad hung around when he was among the first of the Filipinos to come in great numbers to America in the 1920s.

So, for me, performing there is kind of a homecoming.

And it’s the reason I feel the way I do about the third Trump indictment that was unsealed last week.

Trump? My Filipino father? Follow along.

My father, a fry cook most of his life in union restaurants in San Francisco, didn’t have much. But he had the right to vote.

After coming here as a colonized Filipino barred from voting, he managed to become a U.S. citizen later in life, which earned him the only real opportunity he really valued in this country. With the vote, my father had a voice in our democracy.

Take away the vote, and you take away America.

That’s really at the heart of the latest Trump indictment filed in federal district court in Wash., D.C.

More than the previous two indictments – which involved paying hush money to an adult film star in New York, or mishandling of classified documents in Florida, this third indictment by the U.S. Department of Justice was for crimes against democracy.

What else do you call it when a president loses an election and does whatever he can to stay in power, to the point of attempting to negate all the votes cast for the winner Joe Biden?

It’s an outrageous ploy, and it’s all outlined in the historic indictment, the first ever to allege federal crimes committed by a sitting U.S. president.

The first three counts allege Trump’s conspiracy to defraud the United States by spreading lies about winning the 2020 election that he knew he had lost.

It further alleges that Trump used “dishonesty, fraud and deceit to impair, obstruct and defeat the lawful government function” to count and certify the vote on Jan. 6, 2021.

But it’s the fourth count that’s the gut punch to our democracy.

The indictment alleges Trump engaged in a conspiracy against the right to vote, and to have one’s vote counted, a violation of 18 U.S.C. section 241.

It’s the part of the 1870 civil rights law that stopped the Ku Klux Klan from interfering with the

Trump and his cronies like to claim he’s the victim in this new indictment, but the real victims are those 81 million Americans who voted for the winner.

If you voted, this indictment is about you.

It’s also crafted in a way that takes away any First Amendment defense by acknowledging Trump has a right to lie about an election. He also has a legal right to challenge an election and ask for a recount.

But Trump doesn’t have the right to obstruct a vote certification process by creating false slates of electors from various states, in place of real ones, to certify a fake election in Congress.

The indictment also isn’t focused on Trump’s speech, but on his actions.

Oddly, the Trump defense has been to eschew legal argument and take a political/media approach, essentially hinting at invalid defenses.

Trump attorney John Lauro is saying his client didn’t “technically” violate the Constitution by his actions because to ask people to overturn an election is “aspirational.”

Sounds good in a bar argument, but not a court of law.

Talking about criminal activity isn’t excused because you were just being “aspirational.”

It’s the desperate approach one takes when you can’t win. All Trump can do is destroy trust in everything, including democracy.

NO INSURRECTION

The indictment also doesn’t charge insurrection, though we know what we saw from the videos of that day.

Instead, the third indictment fo-

ler has created many incredible stories about Black people in the future, yet there have been no movies made of her work.

The second part of the day was a one-on-one discussion between Boots Riley and Cheryl Dunye.

Riley, who is best known for writing and directing the movie “Sorry to Bother You,” talked about his journey through the entertainment industry, beginning as a rapper struggling to pay rent after he dropped out of high school to pursue music, to eventually becoming a famous filmmaker.

Also a filmmaker, Dunye relayed how her work deals with the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, through the lens of a Black lesbian.

But Trump continued to press Pence, even berating him for opposing a lawsuit to block certification of the lost election. Pence said he thought there was no constitutional basis for it. Trump allegedly replied, “You’re too honest.”

This indictment is no conspiracy by Democrats.

This indictment exposes an attempted theft of our democracy, a modern American coup.

Yet, the more we know, the less Republicans and the general public seem to care.

Keep caring.

A fourth indictment in Georgia appears to be imminent for the person who could become president again.

This is the existential crisis of our democracy as it stands today.

We’re either a country that believes in the rule of law and holds our leaders accountable, or our country is about the cult of personality, and we allow the use of lies and deceit to destroy our nation. And give those corrupt leaders free reign.

Arrested and arraigned for a third time last week, Trump, in his own executive version of “Three Strikes You’re Out,” continues to criticize it all as a “phony witch hunt” and “election interference.”

He also claims to be the victim. But if he were alive, my dad, a loyal and dedicated voter, would see through all that.

And if you voted in 2020, you should too.

(You can read the indictment on Trump’s alleged crimes against our democracy at https://www. scribd.com/document/662462402/ Trump-Indictment# Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator.

Simon

Monsa Sakura Nitotó Artist, Activist, Mentor, 75

Artist, activist, athlete, veteran, mentor, family man, friend — Monsa Sakura Nitotó — a bigger than life personality, born Aug. 7, 1948 as Wesley Benjamin Williams, transitioned from this life into the next on Aug. 1, 2023.

The community is celebrating the life, achievements, and contributions of this unique icon at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, at Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, 1188 12th St., Oakland, California 94607.

There will be a quiet hour at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 18, at the Harris Funeral Home, 1331 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley, CA 94702.

The public is invited to help us honor a life of service to the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area community.

No ordinary activist, Monsa Nitotó was a true champion for the people. Of his more notable accomplishments was the pivotal role he played in the closure of the Red Star Yeast facility in West Oakland. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the factory was releasing 30,000 pounds of acetaldehyde, a known carcinogen, into the air annually.

Citing the “hygiene” theory, that still enjoys broad acceptance in the medical community, and that advances the premise that early exposure to infections, including both respiratory and gastrointestinal improves the human immune system, no one bothered to study the impact of these fumes on the people of this community.

Finally, in 1998, the Pacific Institute conducted an impact study. It found children in West Oakland were seven times more likely to be hospitalized for asthma than the average child in California. The Red Star Yeast factory had been spewing

carcinogens into the air for nearly 100 years without consequence. As executive director of the Coalition for West Oakland Revitalization (CWOR), Nitotó declared war on the factory. The rest is history with the factory doors closing in 2003.

Nitotó’s legacy as one of this community’s most prominent and beloved activists is etched in the hearts of those he touched. His body of work showcases a genuine commitment to creating healthier environments, safer communities and securing economic opportunities for people.

His legacy stands as a testament to the power of determination, compassion, and community engagement. His belief in the power of community has inspired others to join him in the fight for justice and equality.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE COMMITTEE

Tanya Parker Williams (Chairperson), Alan Dones, Mical Free, Jai Jennifer, Winston Burton, Starla Williams, Samson Mael, Jim Levine, Bronnie Hazelwood, Geoffrey Pete, Eddie Dillard, Willie Burton, Margaret Gordon, R. Terese May, and Larry D. Hill.

The Celebration Committee is compiling a tribute book to highlight his contributions. If you wish to offer a tribute or collection in his honor, please transmit it via email through the website we have established for this purpose.

The deadline for contributions is noon on Saturday, Aug. 12. Please limit your tribute to two paragraphs — 100 words total, or less — Please share a picture, where available, as well. Photographs may not appear in the final publication. In lieu of floral arrangements, please submit any contribution to: www.monsanitoto.com

African American Patriots

Diaspora

Black History Month II Crossword **"African American Patriots" www.simonburris700.com

Across 1 **Underground Railroad leader Harriet

7 **U.S. Congressman/activist Lewis

11 Comfortable with (2 wds.)

12 Rebel leader Robert ___ ___ (2 wds.)

13 Red Hot Tamale, for short

14 **Rev. Dr.Luther King and namesakes

16 Book between Ezra and Esther (abbr.)

17 *"___ Gotta Have It" (Spike Lee film)

18 Round Trip, briefly

By Daisha Williams Post Staff

On Sunday Aug. 6, UDAY Studios hosted “Reel Talk: Imagining Black Futures,” an event for Black creatives in the film industry that provides a rare opportunity to connect and collaborate to realize a future where Black narratives are showcased and celebrated.

Taking place at Kinfolx, a Black-owned, community-driven coffee shop and wine bar in downtown Oakland, “Reel Talk” was a joint project between longtime friends Takai Ginwright and Akintunde Ahmad. Ginwright is the head of UDAY Studios, an Oakland and L.A. based Black-owned production company dedicated to telling stories for a new world and Ahmad is one of the co-owners of Kinfolx.

When asked how this event came to be, Ginwright said, “I haven’t seen much of a network of film industry professionals … So I reached out to Tunde looking to cre-

ate a space to foster some of these connections and he let me know that Kinfolx already has some of these things on their plate … So we put our brains together to come up with this idea.” He expressed hope that they will continue to foster this community for Black people in the film industry in Oakland, possibly expanding into a series of other events or even a festival in the future.

From the moment the event began, the atmosphere was welcoming and open — enthusiasm was palpable among the guests as they used the time before the formal activities to build connections.

In the first part, attendees were separated into small groups, with each group told to envision a Blackcentered storyline in one of the given genres: adventure, sciencefiction, action, and love.

Then, each group shared with everyone else. Among the great ideas brought up, was the fact that science fiction author Octavia

Each of the panelists spoke on the balance between letting their activism influence their creativity and needing to make money in a world that uses money to silence the voices that are trying to be heard. Their conversation was insightful, and the rapt audience appeared to hold on to every word.

Since its opening in November 2022 on the corner of 20th and Telegraph, Kinfolx has been a place that not just serves, but prioritizes Black and Brown customers in a neighborhood that is rapidly gentrifying.

Upcoming events at Kinfolx, include “A Life in Hip-Hop” talk show with Mike Nicholls on Aug. 12, and an exhibit titled “Vibrance: Exploration of Black Women Healing,” which will be up until Sept. 13. There is information on these events and many more on their Instagram page @kinfolxoak.

UDAY Studios’ first film production campaign launches in September with “Agape,” a film breaking away from Black traumacentered tropes with a story of the vulnerable relationship between main characters Kiro and Umi.

19 Persian, for example

21 _ _ _ tery fiction

22 Just say ___!

23 Initials for United Artists

24 **Singer/activist Paul R_ _ _ son

26 Utah's capital (initials)

28 College degree

29 Before these, HGFE

33 Farm animal

35 **Crispus ___; first American Revolutionary War martyr (1770)

37 Bullring cheer

38 "Blessed are the ___" (Matthew 5:5)

39 Stand-up comedian Shane ___

41. **Tennis legend & activist Arthur ___

42 Listing Mount, briefly

Down

1 "Repeat, then, and ___ to God" (Acts 3:19)

2 *Singer Raymond IV

3 **Mary McLeod ___; educator/humanitarian

4 **Frederick Douglass' state of birth (initials)

5 24-hr. conveniences

6 *Trevor ___; comedian/author

7 Super Bowl III champions

8 *King _ _ _ ver; jazz musician

9 **___ Flipper; first African American graduate of West Point Academy, in 1877

10 Crows' homes

15 Concerning

20 *Let my people ___!

21 **Muslim human rights leader/activist

23 You and I

24 **Former U.S. president

25 **Daisy ___; Civil Rights Crusader (Arkansas)

27 ** Statesman ___ Powell

29 *Musician Ellington

30 *Bandleader Calloway's monogram

31 Initials for Black Gill (2 wds.)

32 "No returns" (2 wds.)

34 **Cornel ___; philosopher

36 _ _ _ ran the capital of Iran

40 Military rank, for short

Monsa Sakura Nitotó. Courtesy photo.

UDAY Studios founder Takai Ginwright, left, sits next to Kinfolx cofounder Akintunde Ahmad as they listen to panelist Boots Riley while fellow panelist Cheryl Dunye also looks on. Photo by Daisha Williams.

Photo: iStock photo

Black Creatives in Film Industry Gather in Oakland for “Reel Talk” About Future

‘Let Her Do Her Job’ ...

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executive director of the Prosecutor’s Alliance of California, quoted in the Davis Vanguard.

“A recall of DA Pam Price will not enhance safety for Alameda County residents, just like the recall of DA Boudin failed to enhance safety in San Francisco. Selling recalls as a solution to crime is a hollow promise that puts politics before safety,” said DeBerry.

Councilmember Treva Reid ...

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ing place throughout Oakland and across the Bay Area,” said Reid.

Reid says she has “long called for an interagency public safety task force to leverage multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary resources to lead an effective comprehensive strategy for short and long-term solutions.

The Oakland Police Department and the Department of Violence Prevention will not be able to solve these issues alone, Reid says. “We need to expand investment into necessary resources to tackle the weight of the rising crime and unchecked lawlessness with action towards successful outcomes.”

Some of the community volunteer cleanup efforts led by Councilmember Reid in District 7 during the past two years have also been supported by the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back (FIGB), and the Post News Group.

“Reid, like Councilmember Noel Gallo, is providing leadership by example”, said Post Publisher Paul Cobb. “We can’t just wait on city and county staff to solve all our needs. We must collectively help ourselves by volunteering and working together.”

“We love Oakland and ALL of those who live, worship, and work here,” said Rev. Damita Howard, director of the Ceasefire Strategy, “...and that’s why we as providers and organizations participated. We want our city and the people of East Oakland to be safe and taken care of. Public safety is important to each of us and we will do what we can to improve it for East Oakland.”

Reid wants the media to sensationalize the work and commitments of the many volunteers who contribute their time, energy and resources to the East Oakland community with a greater focus than the acts of crime and violence that occur.

Last year, over 30 partners supported four Day of Action events providing resources to over 300 residents in the area.

At this year’s kickoff event, organizations in attendance included: Youth UpRising, Youth Employment Partnership, East Oakland Boxing Association,

Higher Ground, East Oakland Youth Development Center (EOYDC), Oakland Private Industry Council (PIC), Youth Alive!, Young Realtist Division of At Thy Word Ministries, Grid Alternatives, Oakland Public Library, Brady United, Oakland Ceasefire, OPD Victim Services Unit, KANO Special Services, Alameda County Social Services, Supervisor Nate Miley’s office, Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s team, District Attorney Pamela Price’s office, Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency (B.O.S.S.), the Oakland Private Industry Council, AC Transit, Argent Materials, UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital, Pulse Check 101, Alameda County Public Health Department, Live Life Well, Cancer Support Community, Alameda County Food Bank, Family Paths, East Oakland Collective, Black Cultural Zone, East Bay Permanent Real Estate Co-op, Beyond Emancipation, The Beautification Council, Forever Oakland, and the Excess Litter Fee Team.

“UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital was proud to support Councilmember Treva Reid’s Community Day of Action,” shared Jessica Arline, associate director of Community and Government Relations for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. “As the largest ACS certified Pediatric Level 1 Trauma center in Northern California, we understand the importance of community and family safety.

“Safe communities promote community cohesion, economic development, and opportunities to be active and healthy. We commend Councilmember Reid’s efforts to mobilize our community and critical stakeholders to help bring awareness to this very important issue.”

This event will be hosted into the fall of 2023, providing a space to help residents stay connected and served so that they can thrive in their neighborhoods while the Community Safety Task Force continues working to increase their collective efforts to tackle the root causes of the public safety issues impacting this corridor.

To keep abreast of the work the District 7 City Council office is doing in the community, and to hear updates on when the next Day of Action will take place, visit www. oaklandca.gov/officials/treva-reid and sign up for the newsletter.

ering support for District Attorney Pamela Price … Notably, District Attorney Price’s qualifications and dedication to public service are highlighted, with her impressive education from Yale and UC Berkeley’s Law School being acknowledged.”

“They were threatening to recall her when she was running for the seat,” said Cat Brooks, co-founder and executive director of the Oakland-based Anti Police-Terror Project, which endorsed Price last year, quoted in the Intercept.

Said Igor Tregub, the Alameda County Democratic Party Chair, quoted on the website Golden Gate Media, “The Alameda County Democratic Party has a simple message to voters: let District Attorney Pamela Price do her job.”

“She only took office this year and has just begun the reforms she promised when she ran for office. The recall is a waste of taxpayer dollars and time, puts an undue burden on an understaffed County Registrar’s office, and creates a distraction when our community should be focused on finding common ground to make our community safer together. Alameda County Democrats oppose the recall of DA Price; we urge voters to ‘decline to sign’ all petitions related to it; and we will do everything in our power to defeat it,” said Tregub.

According to a written statement, “The key points of the resolution underscore the Committee’s unwav-

Tidewater Capital ...

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70% mark-up.

In 2018, Oakland was hottest market in the nation, according to some real estate observers. Now, however, the city faces record office vacancies, estimated at 35.7% in June.

Not limited to Oakland and San Francisco, foreclosures on office buildings are increasing nationally and worldwide. According to Bloomberg, “high office vacancy and interest rate hikes have contributed to a string of defaults this year and fueled concerns of a commercial real estate debt crisis.”

In a response to questions from the Oakland Post, Julie Chase wrote for Tidewater: “I can confirm: There’s no impact to our other projects. Tidewater remains committed to Oakland, all of our projects there – and believes in future of the city.”

Schnitzer Steel Fire ...

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sponse and were later supported by the respective fire departments of the City of Alameda and the City and County of San Francisco,” said Tasion Kwamilele, the recycling plant’s public affairs director in a statement. “There are no reported injuries from the incident. The Company is grateful for the first responders who brought this situation to a safe conclusion.”

The fire was first reported at the recycling at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 9. Oakland Fire Crews contained the fire to a single large pile of debris by 6:30 p.m. Twenty Oakland Firefighters along with fireboats from the cities of San Francisco and Alameda conducted fire suppression efforts for several hours and the fire was placed under control just after 9 p.m.

Oakland Fire Hazardous Material (HazMat) teams and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency were on site for several hours Wednesday night evaluating conditions.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory because smoke from the fire was projected to “impact Oakland, San Leandro, Fremont and Alameda, with potential effects as far south as San Jose overnight. The Air District continues to monitor this situation closely.

Schnitzer Steel/Radius Recycling has informed the City

Brooks said the recall campaigns follow a pattern: first, character assassination and right-wing attacks, and then a recall.

According to news reports, the recall process is potentially expensive and lengthy and often relies on wealthy backers. After filing a notice of intent, the recall must gather more than 93,000 valid signatures, 10% of registered voters in Alameda County, which would probably require paid signature gatherers and the backing of donors willing to contribute millions of dollars.

For example, a successful campaign to unseat Chesa Boudin as district attorney of San Francisco paid about $12 a signature, according to reports. One PAC spent nearly $4.8 million of the $7.2 million directed against Boudin, which mostly came from wealthy donors in the real estate and finance industries.

The firm’s other properties and proposed projects in Oakland, including the Eastmont Town Center and two alternate proposals for an office tower or residential tower at 1431 Franklin St.

Either of the proposals for 1431 Franklin would overshadow Geoffrey’s Inner Circle, a cultural venue operated by Geoffrey Pete for three decades.

Both of Tidewater’s Franklin Street proposals were approved by the city’s Planning Commission.

Mr. Pete appealed the approvals to the Oakland City Council, which has not yet scheduled the matter.

Mr. Pete and his community supporters argue that the Inner Circle is an Oakland historic landmark that must be preserved and view the current dispute as a fight for the survival of Geoffrey’s and the Black Arts Movement and Business District, which was established by the City Council in 2016.

of Oakland that it has a system already in place with EBMUD whereby excess water on site – including runoff from OFD addressing the fire – is pumped, collected, filtered, and processed to prevent hazardous runoff into the Bay.

The Air Quality Management District says the incident will not exceed the national air quality health standard for the region and is not issuing a ‘Spare the Air’ Alert.

If the smell of smoke is present, it is important that Bay Area residents protect their health by avoiding exposure. If possible, stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels subside. Set air conditioning units and car vent systems to re-circulate to prevent outside air from moving inside.

For real-time air quality information, go to https://fire.airnow. gov/. For questions on Air Quality, please contact: communications@ baaqmd.gov.

Given these conditions there are currently no restrictions on outdoor work.

Risk will continue to monitor and start regular updates if AQI degrades into the orange level. Regarding thresholds for actions, listed below are general actions that departments should take for each specific condition. If there are specific questions about these actions please consult Administrative Instruction 604.

More information is available at: https://www.airnow.gov

New Crime Wave Task Force Needed: ‘Citizens Need to Feel and Be Safe’

By Hon. Sandré R. Swanson

A coalition of law enforcement agencies and our citizens need to join in cooperation to stop our unacceptable crime wave.

We should provide all necessary resources and use our modern-day technology to stop this daily assault on citizens. All of our families, Individuals and specifically our children deserve to feel and be safe in their own cities and neighborhoods.

I believe these assaults on citizens, just trying to live their lives, is not coincidental but organized, and it will take an organized coalition of law enforcement and concerned citizens working together to stop it.

As a member of the Assembly, I led the effort to rescue our children from human traffickers while passing many laws in that regard.

My coalition of support at that time was community-based organizations, law enforcement departments, Oakland’s Human Trafficking Unit, the state attorney general’s office and district attorneys’ offices across our State.

Our laws promoted wraparound services for the victims of human trafficking our children, and give law enforcement and the district attorneys’ offices in our state the tools necessary to arrest, prosecute and convict those who are guilty of victimizing our children. We passed many laws that are available for you to read on my website, www.sandreswanson.net.

Our communities in Northern California are the hub for human trafficking, the epicenter of this insidious criminal activity. Human trafficking is not only victimizing our children, it is also funding an underground economy of crime, that must be stopped.

Citizens should not fear going shopping or driving home from work and being hijacked; Asian American seniors and other se-

niors must not be victims of random assaults; our children victimized by indiscriminate gunfire; parents afraid to let their children play in their front yards or at the park; our businesses afraid to open their doors and having to change to early operating hours only; and our children today are Increasingly becoming victims of kidnapping.

This all must stop.

It is time for all of us to help and build cooperative working relationships between law enforcement and our citizens with a safe community environment being our goal.

These organized assaults on our community deserve an organized, comprehensive and well-funded response.

I support and call for a comprehensive “Crime Task Force” to end our current crime wave that would include: on the local level: police departments, county sheriffs’ offices community-based citizen advisers • on the state level: state police, the state Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office, District Attorneys’ in cities and counties statewide, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office and • on the national level: Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Former Assemblymember Sandré R Swanson, has lived in this community all of his life, represented the cities of Oakland, Alameda, and Piedmont in the State Assembly; he is the former chief of staff for Congresswoman Barbara Lee; former district director for the late Congressman Ronald V. Dellums and a current candidate for the California State Senate. www.sandreswanson.net

Rep. Barbara Lee ...

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about the impact investment from CHIPS would have on the company.

“I had the opportunity to witness the technological innovation, good-paying jobs, and workforce diversity that Akash Systems is bringing to our East Bay communities firsthand,” said Lee.

“Strong companies like these are leading the revitalization of American manufacturing while spurring transformational investment in underserved communities. I thank the Akash team for hosting me and urge the Biden Administration to give Akash its full and fair consideration for CHIPS

funding.”

Congresswoman Lee cites her advocacy for minorities in the tech industry. The Ronald V. Dellums Memorial SMART Fellowship, a program made possible by Lee’s legislation, is aimed at boosting the number of minority students in science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM) fields through robust financial scholarships to college students. Applications for the inaugural year of the program are currently open through the Department of Defense. This

Barbara Lee’s

A District 7 resident accepts some groceries distributed at the Day of Action on July 28. Photo by Krystal Raheem.

District 7 City Councilmember Treva Reid, center, with members from Higher Ground and Mr. McDaniels of KANO Special Services. with community supporters on the Day of Action on July 28. Photo by Krystal Raheem.

Rep. Barbara Lee (third from right), with team members of Akash Systems. Courtesy photo.

Sandré R. Swanson. Courtesy photo.