Oakland Post, week of May 10 - 16, 2023

Solidarity see page 7

David Franklin New OCCUR CEO check page 5

cancer care for lowincome women, see page 3

Oakland Post

Weekly Edition. May 10 - 16, 2023

Oakland Teachers Strike Continues Over Wages, ‘Common Good’ Demands for Needs of Parents, Students

Abrams Endorses Rep. Barbara Lee for US Senate

Mayor Announces New Choice for City Administrator, While Fire Chief Resigns

”Barbara Lee’s entire life has been shaped by fighting for what’s right,” said Abrams.

“She is exactly the kind of person that we need going toe to toe with Mitch McConnell in the Senate.

By Ken Epstein

The strike of Oakland 3,000 teachers and other school staff is ending its first full week. Both sides are moving closer to a settlement, which could come soon, though observers close to the bargaining table say possibilities still exist for negotiations to break down.

Both sides appear to be near agreement on salary issues. The Oakland Unified School District is offering nearly $70 million in raises for teachers and other members of the Oakland Education Association, including nurses, social workers, psychologists, counselors, and substitutes.

A recent OUSD proposal offers an increase for first-year teacher salaries from $52,905 to about $63,000 and an increase for educators at the top of the salary scale from $98,980 to over $110,000.

A major sticking point has been the union’s “common good” demands, especially the demand for shared decision-making at community schools, which would mean that parents and teachers would have the right to vote on how money is spent at their schools.

In an interview with the Oakland Post, Ismael, “Ish” Armendariz, OEA’s interim president, said, the district and some board members do not want to give up some of their authority to shared decision making. “They want to control,” he said.

“Under shared governance,

people get to vote collectively on how the money at school sites is spent, not just advise the district, which is free to disregard the advice. That’s where the big disconnect is (in negotiations),” he said.

Other common good proposals include mental health services for students, support for unhoused students, implementation of OUSD’s Reparations for Black Students policy, limit or halt the closing of schools in flatland communities and protection and expansion of programs for students with disabilities.

Approved by the board in 2021, the Reparations for Black Students policy is designed to improve academic achievement and enrollment for Black students. The union’s proposal would give OEA the authority to select teacher members of the task force the resolution created.

The district has wanted to limit negotiations to traditional wage and hours issues. But the union says though wages are crucial to provide stability and a living wage for educators, these other issues also directly impact parents, students, and teachers.

“Our schools face safety concerns ranging from gun violence to asbestos and lead to mice and rat infestations to raw sewage to leaky roofs,” according to a union statement.

The OEA’s common good proposals are based on outreach with thousands of OUSD parents and

community members. California districts that have bargained common good demands with teacher unions include Los Angeles Unified, Natomas Unified, Montebello Unified, San Diego Unified, West Contra Costa Unified, and Jurupa Unified.

Speaking at an OUSD press conference Monday, Board President Mike Hutchinson opposed the common good proposals.

“While we agree on the principles of the (common good) proposals, they simply do not belong in the contract language,” he said.

Three school board members who are sympathetic to the union’s demands, VanCedric Williams, Valarie Bachelor and Jennifer Brouhard, held their own press conference Monday to clarify their position to the public and to push Hutchinson and Boardmembers Sam Davis and Dr. Clifford Thompson to negotiate on the union’s common good proposals.

Bachelor told the Oakland Post that the common good proposals have grown in importance since the pandemic.

“The pandemic has made it really clear about the inequities in the community and what happens when we don’t address them. The bread-and-butter issues are important, but I’m glad the OEA has brought these common good demands to the community attention, to the state’s attention,” she said.

Letter: Oakland Mayor, City Attorney Call on State Attorney General to Save Holy Names University’s $55 Million Endowment

Marin County

Editor’s note: The following is part of a May 8, 2023, letter by Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and City Attorney Barbara Parker requesting that Attorney General Rob Bonta “object to any proposal” by Holy Names University to use its $55 million endowment for anything other than educational purposes in Oakland.

We write to request that you object to any proposal from Holy Names University (“HNU”) for the distribution of HNU’s $55 million endowment that is contrary to its declared purpose for

education in Oakland.

The City of Oakland is deeply troubled by the HNU Board of Directors’ (“Board”) decision to close the institution, particularly since we have received information suggesting that the Board rejected efforts to keep the university operational or allow a similar educational institution to operate on HNU’s campus.

As part of its closure plan, HNU entered into an agreement with Dominican University of California in San Rafael, California, to allow former HNU students to continue their academic programs at Dominican. While helpful to those students that can afford to continue their education in San Rafael, many HNU students cannot.

We understand that 100% of HNU’s undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid and about 30% are first generation college students from underserved communities. Statistically,

“Someone who has been fighting for issues like abortion rights, fair housing, climate action and LGBTQ+ rights long before the Democratic Party had even considered taking up those fights. Someone who is not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right – even in the face of adversity. Someone who will bring the voice of Black women to the Senate where it is sorely missed.

“Black women like Barbara and I face even more barriers to being elected than our peers, and that means that getting Rep. Lee to the Senate is going to require each and every one of us working together. So I’m humbly asking you to support her with funds and votes.”

By Ken Epstein

As the new administration of Mayor Sheng Thao takes shape, there has been a predictable shuffle among heads of departments as some who were brought in by former Mayor Libby Schaaf leave the city for new jobs.

On Wednesday, Mayor Thao announced her choice for the new city administrator, Jestin Johnson, who will replace Ed Reiskin, who resigned.

She said “Lee is an icon and a trailblazer. From working with the NAACP to integrate her cheerleading squad as a teenager to the 25 years she’s spent fighting for reproductive freedom, climate action, LGBTQ+ rights, and more in Congress, she is a true champion for progress. “

“Jestin Johnson has an exemplary record working with cities, organizations and residents to elevate services, address concerns and bring people together,” said Mayor Thao. “We spoke with leaders from across the country for this role, and it was clear Jestin has the right combination of experience, compassion and collaboration needed to help us improve services for residents and make city government more effective and efficient.”

Said Johnson, “Being the Oakland City Administrator is a dream job. There is no other city like Oakland when it comes to its history and tapestry of cultures and people. This is an incredible opportunity to work with residents and communities to tackle public safety challenges, build and upgrade public infrastructure and work with our city workers to develop proven solutions for residents.”

Johnson has worked in municipal and county governments for nearly two decades, including serving as the deputy chief operating officer in Atlanta, where he worked closely with public safety agencies and led development of significant capital projects.

In a loss for Oakland, Fire Chief Reginald Freeman has resigned his position after two years on the job. He was appointed fire chief in May 2021.

In his resignation letter, he said, he will step down on June 22 for a position in the private sector.

“This decision has been painful for the aforementioned reasons but one that my family and I believe is the necessary one. I will miss the Oakland Firefighters deeply as well as the City of Oakland and all the great things that the Town has to offer,” he said in the letter.

Justice for Tyrique Watley

Help Find Killers of College Freshman Murdered First Week of College

these students are unlikely to be able to continue their education at Dominican given the economic hardships the commute presents, and many may discontinue college altogether as a result.

These students will be left with college debt and no college degree.

We also are concerned about the students who have been relying on scholarships from funds controlled by HNU to pursue their teaching degrees (e.g., “Logan Scholarships”) and seek to ensure that the funding for local teacher

Tennessee Representative Justin Jones, Former Barbara Lee Staffer, Here This Weekend.

Justin Jones represents Tennessee’s 52nd district in the state legislature. This April, Jones made national headlines and sparked debate on race, representation and activism after he was expelled from the Tennessee House of Representatives for leading a gun control protest on the House floor.

Jones, who was born in Oakland was hired by Barbara Lee will appear at the UC Berkeley campus for a free conversation between Rep. Jones and Angela Glover Blackwell, founder of Policy Link, which is presented in partnership with the Associated Students of the University of California Vote Coalition, the Goldman School, and the Fisk University Alumni Association.

By Family Support Advocates

Tyrique Watley was ecstatic when he received the notice that he was awarded a scholarship to play football for Lincoln University’s newly formed football team. He was just 18 years old when he moved from Las Vegas, looking forward to starting his freshman year in Oakland. He wrote “ I want to thank God for the opportunity to go to college and play football. I

wanna thank my parents, coaches, and teammates for the support.” Tragically, Tyrique’s hopes and dreams for football, a college degree, and his future were all cut short by a stray bullet on August 29, 2021, in the 1900 block of Broadway around 2:30 am.

Tyrique’s mother, Latoya Howard-McNair says, “Tyrique was my first-born child with a bright, infectious smile. He had a love for music and sports, playing football for Canyon Springs High School and then going on to play at Lincoln University in Oakland. He faced some challenges with being on an IEP in high school when he was diagnosed with an intellectual disability. This challenged him in the classroom, but he overcame those challenges by making an intentional decision to work hard and do his best. He had so much passion and discipline and was excited and ready to go to college

“Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18 postnewsgroup.com

Lantern holds the names of the 4 million freed slaves, see page 3

Ysabel Duron on

Asian-Black

Representative Justin Jones

Angela Glover Blackwell

Teachers show their determination on picket lines at schools across the city. Photo courtesy of OEA.

Teachers’ union President Ismael “Ish” Armendariz speaks to press at school picket line. Photo courtesy of OEA.

Mayor Sheng Thao

Mayor Sheng Thao Jestin Johnson

Firechief Reginald Freeman

Attorney General Rob Bonta

Stacey

Massachusetts Rep. Ayanna Pressley Endorses Rep. Lee

California Reparations Task Force Holds 15th Meeting in Oakland

California Black Media Briefs

Your roundup of stories you might have missed last week.

By Tanu Henry and Edward Henderson California Black Media House Assistant

Equity Advocacy Week, and commend the California Black Health Network and other organizations throughout the state for their efforts to improve the health, wellbeing, and life expectancy of Black Californians,” the resolution language reads.

California to Provide $150 Million to Hospitals in Distress

Last week, California lawmakers passed Senate Bill (SB) 122 a bill that will provide $150 million in interest-free loans to financially struggling hospitals, mostly primarily in rural areas.

By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media

On May 6, the California Task Force to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans held its 15th meeting and voted on its final report. The report must be submitted to the California Legislature by the end of June.

During the meeting held at Mills College of Northeastern University in Oakland, the ninemember task force finalized its recommendations for compensating Black Californians for state laws, policies and practices that disproportionately and negatively affected African Americans. The final report which will be available to the public is expected to be about 1,000 pages long.

Task force chair and Los Angeles attorney Kamilah Moore closed out the one-day meeting by thanking “the community of eligibility for attending” the meeting and reflecting on the activities that occurred for nearly two years since the group first convened.

“I know it might have been tough in some spots, but I just want to say: stay encouraged. History is repeating itself,” Moore said.

“When we think about what Callie House and Isaiah Dickerson went through, it was actually federal agencies U.S. Postal Office and U.S. DOJ (Department of Justice), the US Pension Office that worked to hinder the free people movement for pensions. So, just stay encouraged and know that justice will prevail at the end of the day.”

House and Dickerson were leaders in the National Ex-Slave Mutual Relief, Bounty and Pension Association, the first organization to push for reparations for slavery.

Among the recommendations made by the task force is for the state of California to issue a formal apology from the state of California. The implied admission of guilt should mitigate the harm historically inflicted on the Black community, task force members say.

The report will contain “a nonexhaustive list” that includes “barbarities carried out on behalf of the State by its representative officers, governing bodies, and the people.”

“The Legislature must apologize on behalf of the State of California and the People of California for the perpetration of gross human rights violations and genocide of Africans who were enslaved and their descendants through public apology, requests for forgiveness, censure of state perpetrators, and tributes to victims,” the report states

“But the Task Force does not recommend the Legislature issue an apology without taking other required steps recommended by the Task Force to conform to the international standards for satisfaction; such an apology would be hollow and ineffective.”

The draft states that the apology would address the “atrocities committed by California state actors who promoted, facilitated, enforced, and permitted” under the institution of chattel slavery.

The final draft includes evidence provided by the California Department of Justice of African Americans denied their fundamental liberties and humanity throughout the state’s history, from before the Civil War to the present.

“To be effective, a considerable number of survivors and their

timating that the reparations owed to Black Californians who are descendants of people enslaved in the United States is likely to total more than $800 billion.

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (DOakland-12) addressed the panel during the public comments section of the meeting. She is cosponsoring the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) bill in Congress.

The first-ever congressional commission examines the effects of slavery, institutional racism, and discrimination against people of color and how history impacts laws and policies today.

“Reparations are not a luxury for our people but a human right long overdue for millions of Americans,” Lee said. “A promise of 40 acres and a mule made to formerly enslaved people over 150 years ago has yet to be fulfilled and it’s critical that the promise that was made to our ancestors is kept. We must repair this damage.”

Oakland City Councilmembers Treva Reid (District 7) and Kevin Jenkins (District 6) were present at the meeting which was attended by more than 150 people.

Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn Endorses Rep. Barbara Lee

House Assistant Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-SC-6) last week announced that he is throwing his support behind Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) in her race to replace U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein who is not seeking re-election in 2024.

“She stands by what she believes in, and she doesn’t back down. In the House, she is an extremely accomplished legislator with a record of delivering historical achievement to end poverty, eradicate HIV and AIDS, and work for global peace and security,” said Clyburn.

Lee is running against Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA-47) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-30).

Contra Costa County District Attorney Dianne Becton and San Francisco Mayor London Breed also recently held Bay Area rallies pledging their support.

One of the rallies was held at the African American Art & Culture Complex in San Francisco’s Fillmore district.

High School Seniors and College Freshmen: Deadline to Apply for Black Caucus

Scholarships is May 15

Get more details and apply at https://cablackcaucus.org/scholarship/

NAACP Announces Plan to Storm Capitol

The California Hawaii State Conference of the NAACP announced last week that plans to storm the State Capitol to speak to lawmakers about policies that are priorities for the organization.

The organization will hold its “Annual Day at the Capitol” on Monday, May 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cal Chamber at 1230 J Street in Sacramento. NAACP members from around the state can apply at https://docs. google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLS fptZJ48F6YZuynrlw9N0PP4ITc 0om_vKC2J7vW6oK8Uo_NAw/ viewform can apply here to attend.

State Resolution

Establishes Black Health Advocacy Week in California

Last week was Black Health Advocacy Week and Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber delivered the keynote speech at the California Black Health Network’s (CBHN) 40th anniversary celebration in Sacramento.

“When you talk about health issues and the challenge of health, we are a large portion of that issue. So, it becomes important that we raise our voice and don’t just be quiet when these things happen because they have impact on the future,” said Weber at the event.

The money will be a one-time emergency allocation and will come from the state general fund if the legislation is signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

In a hearing last Thursday, State Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Salinas) says the funding is just the “beginning.

“It’s antiseptic ointment on the cut. We haven’t even started with the Band-Aid,” she added.

The loans will be administered by the California Department of Health Care Access and information and the California Health Facilities Finance Authority in State Treasurer’s Office.

With New Tax Credit, Legislative Black Caucus Wants Black Workers in Entertainment Industry to Get Their Piece of the Pie

On April 27, the Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 held a hearing on the California Film Tax Credit, a $330 million program launched in 2020 to bolster the film industry in the state.

The California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) want Black workers in the entertainment industry to benefit from the tax break.

relatives must participate in the development of the apology. As occurred with the apology to California tribal communities, the Legislature should establish a program or government body, such as the California American Freedman Affairs Agency, to facilitate listening sessions that allow victims and their relatives to narrate personal experiences and recount specific injustices caused by the state of California,” the task force recommends.

It took eight hours for the task force members to approve numerous recommendations address-

Elaine Brown, a former Black Panther Party leader and Minister of Information, was also in attendance. Last year, she broke ground on an $80 million an affordable housing project in West Oakland. The housing project includes 79 units and aims to house formerly incarcerated people, homeless people and unemployed individuals.

“I’m glad to see all these Black people together. I want to see us all get into the streets because you know that you cannot legislate freedom…you are going to have to fight for it,” Brown said to the panel and audience. “You want these people to hear you ... you’re going to have to get into the streets

California college freshmen and high school seniors have less than a week to apply for the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) scholarship. The deadline is May 15 at midnight.

According to the CLBC, the scholarship, named after Frederick Roberts — California’s first Black lawmaker — was “established to assist deserving students by offering financial assistance to help meet educational expenses.”

CBHN is an organization that is dedicated to “advancing health equity for Black and Brown communities” in California.

Last month, Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) introduced Assembly Resolution (ACR) 53 to establish Black Health Advocacy week.

“This measure would recognize May 1, 2023, to May 5, 2023, inclusive, and every first week of May thereafter, as Black Health

CLBC chair Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City) and the caucus’ vice chair State Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Inglewood) in a letter to the committee said, “We write to request that the Senate Budget Subcommittee #4 have a robust discussion regarding the diversity requirements for California Film Tax Credit that includes key stakeholders,” CLBC Members wrote in a letter. “(We) are interested in highlighting the lived experiences of Black workers in the entertainment industry and survey the economic impact the new measure will have on Black and Brown entertainment workers.”

Gov. Newsom Lauds California’s Transition to Clean Fuels

On May 1, Gov. Gavin Newsom toured World Energy, a re-

Continued on page 3

ing issues such as over-policing and mass incarceration in Black communities, health and environmental inequities and discrimination in education, housing, voting, housing, and business opportunities, and others. The report also addresses the inability to create wealth due to inequity and lack of quality jobs.

At the 14th meeting of the task force held in Sacramento in March, economists advising the task force presented economic formulas es-

(to advocate for reparations).”

The final meeting for the Task Force will be held June 29 in Sacramento. Remarks by task force members, a presentation of the report, closing comments by legislators and other dignitaries will end the two-year charge for the first-ofits-kind reparations commission.

For any questions about the Task Force meeting, contact DOJ at ReparationsTaskforce@doj. ca.gov or call (213) 519-0504.

U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-Calif.-13), an alumnus of Mills College, speaks before the nine-member panel. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

State Assemblyman and task force member Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles) and San Diego City Councilwoman Monica Montgomery Steppe take notes during the 15th meeting on May 6, 2023. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Elaine Brown, the first Black woman to lead the Black Panther Party in the 1970s, attended the event to advocate housing for the formerly incarcerated, unemployed, and homeless people in Oakland. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

Rhonda Smith, CBHN executive director, standing beside Secretary of State Shirley Weber, right, and participants of the CBHN network.

Freedmen’s Bureau and Freedman’s Bank — A Key to Success in Black Family History

Cobb: “Records give us ‘Standing’ for Reparations Eligibility”

by D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the organization that sponsors FamilySearch. Paul Cobb’s attendance at the celebratory event illustrates the power of these records to link current gen-

documents, medical files, and court proceedings. Because of the efforts of thousands, a new Black narrative has emerged. And individuals are now able to uncover the reality of who they are because of the knowledge of who their ancestors were.

“Wellness and the Healing Journey”

By Thom Reed

Dec. 6, 2016 was a cloudy day in Washington, D.C. at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. Sitting in the audience at the Oprah Winfrey Theater was Paul Cobb, owner of the Oakland Post, and his wife Gay.

The Cobbs were listening to the remarks of Lonnie Bunch, then founding director of the museum, now secretary of the Smithsonian Institution.

erations with those of the past.

An Online Summit featuring Ysabel Duron

By By Janice Edwards Charlotte Maxwell

Clinic

In 2014 the Post Staff were among the first financial and artifact contributors to the Museum and introduced him to bay area donors.”

Bunch shared his personal story of what the records of the Freedmen’s Bureau mean to him. The records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (also known as the Freedmen’s Bureau) were the key to success for the Bunch family in unearthing their family’s history and confirmed the oral history passed down about Bunch’s grandmother, Candis.

Freedmen’s Bureau labor contract for Lonnie Bunch’s great grandmother, Candis. © 2023 NARA microfilm publication M1909. All rights reserved.

About the Freedmen’s Bureau and Freedman’s Bank

The Emancipation Proclamation freed nearly 4 million enslaved Africans in 1863. The Freedmen’s Bureau was estab-

lished to help transition them from a life of enslavement to freedom and citizenship, providing food, housing, education, and medical care. For the first time in U.S. history, the names of these individuals were systematically recorded and preserved. In addition, African Americans were able to deposit money gained from this newfound freedom in branches of the Freedman’s Bank in many cities in the Southern United States. The records of these bank depositors, along with those of the bureau, were maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration. And with the completion of the Freedmen’s Bureau Project, a volunteer effort with more than 25,000 participants, millions of records were brought forth from the shackles of history and made searchable and available for free on the family history website, FamilySearch.org.

FamilySearch International, the organization behind this massive effort making nearly 3.5 million records of African Americans who lived between 1865 and 1872 available, takes its obligation to uncover this history seriously. As the largest genealogical organization in the world, FamilySearch exists to inspire people everywhere to connect with their family—across generations.

A Gift to the World

On that day in December 2016, the Freedmen’s Bureau records were presented as a gift to Lonnie Bunch and the Smithsonian

Paul Cobb has had a fascination with the records and the stories they tell because of his own connection to African American ancestors whose lives were documented through their interactions with the bank and bureau. His great great-grandfather, Robert W. Cobb, was a depositor in the bank at just 12 years old. Paul was able to find the records of his ancestors thanks to prisoners from the Utah State Penitentiary who indexed (transcribed) information from the Freedman’s Bank deposit books in the 1990s.

In the past, information about African American ancestors had been thought to be lost or locked away in places never to be discovered. But thanks to the Freedmen’s Bureau Project, and many other projects like it, there is a new era of discovery awaiting millions of Black Americans. To uncover the stories of these Black ancestral heroes and to connect with your family, who may have been served by the Freedmen’s Bureau and Freedman’s Bank, go to http://discoverfreedmen.org, and search for free today.

A New Era for Black Genealogy

2016 was only the beginning of a new chapter in African American family history research. Since the completion of the Freedmen’s Bureau Project and release of the Bureau and Freedman’s Bank records, millions of African Americans have discovered their ancestors in these records. The true story of Black excellence can be found in marriage records, labor contracts, ration reports, educational

Thom Reed is the director for African heritage initiatives for North America for FamilySearch International. His area of expertise is African American genealogy focused on historical records, research, and experiences. He also manages relationships with community, genealogical, and historical societies, and organizations for people of African descent in the United States and around the globe.

About FamilySearch FamilySearch International is the largest genealogy organization in the world. FamilySearch is a nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. Millions of people use FamilySearch records, resources, and services to learn more about their family history. To help in this great pursuit, FamilySearch and its predecessors have been actively gathering, preserving, and sharing genealogical records worldwide for more than 100 years. Patrons may access FamilySearch services and resources free online at FamilySearch.org or through over 5,000 FamilySearch centers in 129 countries, including the main FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

(CMC) a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free access to integrative cancer care for lowincome women, is hosting “Wellness and the Healing Journey” an online celebration of leadership, service, and thriving resilience on May 25, 2023, from 9 a.m.-10 a.m.

Board. Tricia Probert will provide tips on fitness and healthy habits during and after cancer treatment, Dr. Nina Boeddeker celebrates the joys of volunteering, and Edna Castillo, a life coach and author of “Living Your Intuitive Genius: How to Tap Into Your Soul to Heal Your Body, Mind, and Spirit” will discuss the importance of mental and emotional wellness for anyone encountering the unexpected in life, including cancer.

To register for this free engaging event, click here. Here is the registration link if the hyperlink does not click through. (https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/ MTgxMTMx)

“Wellness and the Healing Journey” features Emmy-winning Journalist, Cancer Survivor, founder of The Latino Cancer Institute and member of the National Cancer Advisory Board Ysabel Duron, Fitness Expert Tricia Probert, Acupuncturist Dr. Nina Boeddeker, and Life Coach, Author, and Cancer Survivor Edna Castillo. It is open to the public, and all are invited to attend.

Ysabel Duron will share her personal experiences and insights on cancer, its impact on communities of color, and her vision for advocacy as a newly appointed member of the National Cancer Advisory

California Black Media Briefs ...

Continued from page 2

newable fuel facility in Paramount, a city in Los Angeles County. During the event, he praised California’s progress in transitioning to clean fuels.

“You are addressing the impacts that fossil fuels have had on low-income communities,” said Newsom. “That impact is real, and that impact is raw for people living in those communities.”

Newsom said he is proud of the progress California is making in its effort to fully transition to electric vehicles by 2035.

“California’s clean energy future is here, and there’s no better example of that than this petroleum refinery turned renewable fuels hub. The fuels of the future are clean, and California is leading the way with billions of dollars to supercharge this transition while creating thousands more good green jobs and growing our economic might,” he added.

Republican Lawmakers Push Constitutional Amendment to Kill the “Death Tax”

On Tuesday last week, State Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) held a press conference on SCA 4, a constitutional amendment that

“We are thrilled to have such esteemed experts join us for this event,” said Melbra Watts, Executive Director of the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic. “At the clinic, we provide a broad range of integrative cancer care and support to low-income women, and this event is an opportunity for us to share valuable information and insights into the wider community. We are grateful to Ysabel Duron, Tricia Probert, Dr. Nina Boeddeker, Edna Castillo, and our media sponsor ABC 7 for their support.”

To learn more about Charlotte Maxwell Clinic and its services, please contact mail@charlottemaxwell.org or call (510) 601-7660.

would restore taxpayers’ property rights. This would allow Californians to keep their family business and childhood homes after their parents or grandparents pass away.

“This legislation has one purpose, to restore protections for taxpayers and to keep the intrusive reach of the government away from their family inheritance,” said Seyarto. “I urge everyone to join with us, contact your representatives and tell them to vote yes on SCA 4 so we can bring this measure back to the people and restore taxpayer protections.”

In 2020, Proposition 19 capped the value of family homes that could be inherited with their Prop 13 tax base to $1 million. It also added a requirement that parents must live in the home for the remainder of their life to transfer the property to their children.

Prior to Prop 19’s passage, both parents and grandparents were able to pass their homes and businesses to their children and grandchildren without additional requirements.

“Prop 19 changed the way intergenerational transfers of property were handled, all to the detriment of Californians who had worked so hard for many years to solidify a future for themselves and their families,” said Seyarto. “Simply put, Prop 19 resurrected the death tax.”

Gay Plair Cobb ,Therese Folkes Plair and Paul Cobb visit with Thom and Lisa Reed at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. © 2016 Thom Reed. All rights reserved.

Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III speaks at The Freedmen’s Bureau Project Celebration © 2016 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Freedman’s Bank depositor record for Robert W. Cobb. © 2015 NARA microfilm publication M816. All rights reserved.

Thom Reed © 2017 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

DiscoverFreedmen.org home page

Freedmen’s Bureau labor contract for Lonnie Bunch’s great grandmother, Candis. © 2023

Ysabel Duron. Courtesy photo.

Melbra Watts. Courtesy photo.

Edna Castillo. Courtesy photo.

Post Publisher Paul Cobb (right) stands with Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III (center) and Elder D. Todd Christofferson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints. The Lantern has a flash drive “key” that holds the names of nearly 4million ex-slaves. © 2016

Simon Burris: * Africana Disapora

Black History Month II Crossword

**African-ish: Mother's Day (2) www.simonburris700.com

Happy Mothers Day!

Across

1 **Hamitic great grandmother of King David and ancestor of Jesus Christ, [also] all Judean kings (Ruth; Matthew 1)

5 **"Queen of Soul" Franklin

11 Oklahoma native

12 **Vice President Kamala

13 ___ Angelo, Texas

14 **Grammy- winning singer from Barbados

15 Beam

17 A kind of crowd

18 Conclusion

20 Big name in electronics

22 **Legendary Egyptian queen (of Greek & Afro-Hittite ancestry)

25 Old Testament judge

26 ***DuVernay "Selma" film director

27 ___ or fro

28 **Sasha and Malia's mom Michelle

32 **Whitney ___; singer and actress

37 **Elizabeth ___; Virgina- born slave (1630) and ancestor of Johnny Depp actor

38 School papers

39 Like Solomon

40 **Rosa Parks, for one

41 Some lab samples

Down 1 **Diana ___ (The Supremes)

2 Senator Mitt Romney's state

3 **"Beloved" author Morrison

4 That man

5 Yellowfin tuna

6 "Go team!"

7 Victorian, for one

8 Total Return Net (initials)

9 Hello Simone, informally (Singer; 2 wds.)

COMMENTARY: Local Grassroots Leaders Dialogue on Black-Asian Solidarity

don’t realize the Asian experience in America has similarities to their own.

“What does solidarity look like? It’s understanding that we have way more in common … A lot of the root causes of our communities’ pain and suffering impacts us all,” Cheng said. “And if we keep pushing for policies that further demonize and criminalize our Black and Brown relatives, then we’re never really going to get anywhere.”

10 "___ ___ person can see" (2 wds.)

14 Nevada city

16 Must have

19 GRAN _ _ _ (mother's dad)

20 Puncture

21 Otherwise 22 Select

23 HU _ _ (online TV site)

24 Shakespeare' river

25 **Waters of jazz and films

29 All in the family

30 City near Phoenix

31 Pro votes

33 AL/MO/ND, briefly (states)

34 Unhappy

35 Rope on a ship

36 Official Site Register (initials)

39 Initials for Disney

CITY OF SAN LEANDRO STATE OF CALIFORNIA

ENGINEERING AND TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT

NOTICE TO BIDDERS FOR SANITARY SEWER POINT REPAIRS 2022 AND WICKS BOULEVARD VAULT COVER REPLACEMENT

PROJECT NO. 2022.0120

BID NO. 22-23.013

1. BID OPENING: The bidder shall complete the “Proposal to the City of San Leandro” form contained in the Contract Book. The proposal shall be submitted in its entirety. Incomplete proposals will be considered non-responsive. Sealed bids containing the completed Proposal Section subject to the conditions named herein and in the specifications for Sanitary Sewer Point Repairs 2022 and Wicks Boulevard Vault Replacement, Project No. 2022.0120 addressed to the City of San Leandro, City Clerk’s Office, Second Floor, 835 East 14th Street, San Leandro, CA 94577, shall be received up to 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at which time they will be publicly opened and read.

2. WORK DESCRIPTION: The work to be done consists of sanitary sewer point repairs, manhole rehabilitation, CCTV inspection, two (2) existing vault covers replacement, and asphalt pavement restoration; and doing all appurtenant work in place and ready for use, all as shown on the plans and described in the specifications with the title indicated in Paragraph 1 above, and on file in the office of the City Engineer. Reference to said plans and specifications is hereby made for further particulars.

3. OBTAINING THE PROJECT PLANS AND CONTRACT BOOK: The project plans and Contract Book may be obtained free of charge from the City’s website at: https://www.sanleandro.org/Bids.aspx. Potential Bidders are encouraged to contact the City of San Leandro Engineering and Transportation Department at 510-577-3428 to be placed on the project plan holder’s list to receive courtesy notifications of addenda and other project information. Project addenda, if any, will be posted on the website. A bidder who fails to address all project addenda in its proposal may be deemed non-responsive. Printed, hardcopies of the plans can be purchased from East Bay Blueprint and Supply Co. Contact: (510) 261-2990; https://www.eastbayblueprint.com

4. MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE: Attendance at a pre-bid conference is mandatory for bidding on this project: A firm that didn’t attend one of the pre-bid conferences and is not documented on its attendance sheet isn’t qualified to bid on the project. Pre-bid meetings will be held via zoom. Pre-bid conferences will be held for this project as follows:

• Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at 9:00 am. This meeting will also be on Zoom: the virtual meeting can be accessed by internet as follows:

Zoom Meeting ID: 865 9829 0830

Passcode: 668254

https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/86598290830?pwd=bWlpMGpxbjZjZXc5YytxYWVzT

G5nQT09

• Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at 3:00 pm. This meeting will also be simulcast on Zoom: the virtual meeting can be accessed by internet as follows:

Zoom Meeting ID: 845 6063 7249

Passcode: 973650

https://sanleandro-org.zoom.us/j/84560637249?pwd=WUQzY0IrY0Z2a2VqRXIzZldwSH

QrZz09

The information presented at each of the conferences will be identical. Questions regarding the plans and specifications may be submitted in writing to the project engineer until 5:00 p.m. five (5) days before, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays, bids must be received by the City. The City will not respond to oral questions outside of the pre-bid conference. The response, if any, will be by written addendum only. Oral responses do not constitute a revision to these plans or specifications.

5. SAN LEANDRO BUSINESS PREFERENCE AND PARTICIPATION GOALS: The work performed under this contract is subject to Section 1-6-225 of the San Leandro Municipal Code regarding local business preference and participation. A list of companies that hold a San Leandro business license is located on the City webpage under the finance department, here: https://sanleandro.hdlgov.com/. This list may be sorted by city and service offered to find local businesses.

6. SAN LEANDRO COMMUNITY WORKFORCE AGREEMENT: The work performed under this contract is subject to the Community Workforce Agreement adopted by City Council Resolution 2015-104. Contractors attention is directed to Section 10.

Dated: May 4, 2023

Kelly B. Clancy City Clerk

By Emil Guillermo

To Mike Cheng, Asian Americans are not the “model minority.”

Not unless you’re talking about model prisoners. Cheng takes them as they come at the Asian Prisoner Support Committee.

Tony Douangviseth, or Tony “D” for short, leads Youth Together. He works in Oakland schools trying to make a difference in young people’s lives.

These two community leaders are long-time friends of Carroll Fife, the Oakland City Council person from District 3. She has found an unusual way of celebrating May, otherwise known as Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Whereas a typical celebration may include food, music and dance at an office party, Councilmember Fife instead is going for substance.

She brought people together for the tough stuff of race last week on a Zoom call to dialogue about what is really happening between Asian Americans and African Americans in Oakland.

Cheng works with Asian American people who have done time and are trying to make an earnest go at life on the outside.

Douangviseth is a veteran youth worker in schools whose experience has included mediating disputes among high school students.

Fife and both men have socialized with each other’s families for years, and you can see how this is an example of what the Zoom video was trying to display, the real relationships between Asian American and African American communities in the city.

“These two brothers are my brothers,” said Fife. “We’ve known each other for over two decades now.”

This is how grassroots Oakland politics says “Happy AANHPI Heritage Month.” These folks don’t just get together for fun once a year thing. They engage every day of the year to make Oakland a better place.

The month reminds them of how much they have done to

Operations Manager: BA in Bus. Admin., Psychology, or rel.

Wage: $72,758/Year

Work Site: Berkeley, CA 94710 Mail

Resume: JECHI, Inc., 1479 Solano Ave., Albany, CA 94706

bridge the gaps in Oakland and how much more is left to do.

This is a far cry from the typical narrative served up by the mainstream media and stories that have dominated the press the last three years involving AAPI violence, where a victim is Asian, and the perp is African American. That may occur, but when presented without context, it inflames and not informs and instead feeds a stereotype of a divide in the community that is too often exaggerated.

But when that’s all you see reported, that may be all you get to believe about the origins of AAPI hate in Oakland.

Cheng is Chinese whose family has been here for generations.

Tony D’s roots are from Laos. Like others from Southeast Asia, his family has been in the U.S for a relatively short time, maybe since the 1980s.

Looking at the national reality, there are of the more than 23 million Asian Americans in the U.S. Anti-Asian Violence has been fanned by Trumpian scapegoating of the AAPI community for the coronavirus. When the commander-in-chief spews out hate speech using terms like “Kung Flu” and “China Virus,” it has an impact.

Nearly 12,000 self-reported incidents against all Asian Americans occurred during the three years of the pandemic, according to the organization StopAAPI-

“It’s being perpetuated in the media as if that is the primary source of violence that is happening against Asians by Black and Brown people, although the statistics tell a completely different story,” Fife said at the meeting. “This is not to downgrade of diminish what is actually happening, which is terrible. It is brutal, and it is not acceptable by any means, anyone getting hurt. But what we continue to see is the stoking of division by certain media outlets.”

Fife said the stories are “exacerbated by the media and other folks who have an interest in keeping us divided.”

But if you attended the zoom meeting last Thursday, you saw community members talking about working together to make Oakland a better place to live. That narrative should not be overshadowed by stuff on police blotter.

Cheng said the path to solidarity is in acknowledging the gaps in historical knowledge about AAPI people that exists on all sides.

“A lot of the freedoms that we have as AAPIs are on the shoulders of the Black community in particular who have been at the forefront pushing for freedom, justice, and equality,” Cheng said.

Likewise, Blacks too often

Hate.

These three local leaders want to make sure violence doesn’t threaten a sense of unity in Oakland.

Tony D said that young AAPI people in their 20s and 30s are sometimes caught in the middle of situations at home where feelings of “anti-blackness” exist. That’s often caused by fear based stereotypical thinking stoked by negative news reports.

“We don’t have to take this violence,” he said. “Let’s work together. Let’s band together, and let’s come up with a real solution for all people, not just for one type of people, but for all folks in our community, here in Oakland.”

The answer is getting everyone in on the conversation to “push the needle towards a common place of peace and unity and justice,” he said.

Access this recorded meeting on Councilmember Fife’s Facebook page: https://fb.watch/ kqLDBL5XJr/

Emil Guillermo is longtime Bay Area journalist and commentator. See him at www.amok.com.

Rockbot, Inc.

is hiring for the following in Oakland, CA: Senior Software Engineer ($195,000/yr-$206,000/yr): Dsgn & build app prgrming intrfcs (APIs) to dvlp sw for Rckbt’s pltfrm. Telecomm permissible within the U.S. To apply, email resume & cover letter to recruiting@rockbot. com and reference job title. EOE. Principals only.

Michael Cheng works with Asian American people who have done time and are trying to make an earnest go at life on the outside.

Carroll Fife is the Oakland City Council person from District 3.

Enhancements Are Not Created Equal

By Post News Staff

Less than 100 days into her term as Alameda County District Attorney, Pamela Price is determined to continue following through on her campaign promises to reform Alameda County’s justice system despite a shocking amount of pushback.

Much of the backlash from mainstream and social media channels has been profane, racist and misogynistic and stems from false perceptions over the use of enhancements which add prison time to certain types of cases.

“The routine and constant overcharging in the past las led to mass incarceration in Alameda County, especially for Black and Brown people, and my team is now making the process of using enhancements more purposeful,” said Price.

Poll Reveals Crime as Main Factor Commuters Haven’t Returned to BART

Price has ordered her deputy DA’s to get approval from their supervisors to use enhancements to extend prison sentences. That order, Special Directive 23-01 has caused major controversy, misinformation, and misconceptions.

DA Price points out that, “We are still charging enhancements, we are charging people, and we are doing what we can to address gun violence. Much of that has gone underreported. Some of it falls under the radar of news reporting for obvious reasons. I cannot discuss cases we’re working on.”

Congresswoman Lee Introduces Legislation to Advance Equity Through the Arts and Humanities

The Richmond Standard

Concerns about crime “far outweigh” remote work as the reason commuters who no longer ride BART aren’t returning to the system, according to a new poll released by the Bay Area Council.

The poll conducted by EMC Research surveyed 1,000 residents throughout BART’s service area. Among poll respondents, including those that never or rarely ride BART, “78% said they would ride BART more often if it was significantly cleaner and safer,” the Council stated about the poll.

“This number is particularly striking when compared to the far fewer 46% of respondents who stated they would ride BART more often if they had to commute to work or school more frequently.”

The Bay Area Council did not view the poll’s findings as negative, saying it reveals a path forward to getting commuters to return to the system. The Council is calling on BART to “immediately and significantly increase police and security personnel on trains, vigorously enforce the rider code of conduct, and install new fare gates within a year.”

“A Bay Area Council analysis of the poll findings suggests that by taking a much stronger and swifter approach to crime, safety and cleanliness, BART could see up to 300,000 more trips over the course of the workweek, pushing ridership above 50% of pre-pandemic levels,” the Council stated.

Of those surveyed, 49% gave BART an unfavorable rating for safety and cleanliness, compared to a 30% unfavorable rating for SF Muni, 23% for AC Transit and 15% for Caltrain, according to the Bay Area Council.

According to the poll, 53% of residents said they know of someone who has been a victim of crime

on BART, while 46% say they’ve witnessed crime on the system.

Eighteen percent say they personally have been a victim on crime on BART. Meanwhile, 44% of BART riders said they have never or rarely seen a police officer, according to the Council.

“BART must treat this like a crisis, because it is a crisis,” said Jim Wunderman, president and CEO of the Council. “BART is the mass transit backbone of our region and there’s too much at stake for BART and our region not to be more aggressive in addressing the reasons legions of riders are staying away.

“BART deserves credit for recent moves to increase police presence and ramp up cleaning, but riders and others are saying they must do more and they must do it now.”

Poll: Key Findings

• 79% say they feel more comfortable riding BART when there is a uniformed police officer or security present

• 73% say BART should prioritize adding more uniformed police on trains and in stations

62% say BART should improve fare gates to prevent fare evaders; 66% want fare gates to fully enclose station entrances

• 79% say BART should eject people from the system that violate the passenger code of conduct, which prohibits drugs, smoking, drinking and other illegal or unacceptable behavior

• 65% say BART should focus on core operations and leave social service issues to other public agencies

The organized opposition and backlash to a new vision of justice has led many false narratives to be accepted as fact. For example, Selim Algar of the New York Post reported Price had decided not to seek enhancement charges on the fatal death of 5-year-old Eliyanah Crisostomo, shot in the head while traveling with her family to a birthday party on the 880 freeway near Fremont. That is false. At present, the investigation is ongoing, and no determination has been made. In the case of Jasper Wu, a 2-year-old similarly killed in a freeway shooting by alleged gang members, Price’s team is still considering the evidence. Opponents to Price’s commitment to fair and equal justice claim that she is shrinking from prosecution when, in reality, charges are still under consideration and pending.

Enhancements are special allegations that the District Attorney’s office can add onto any charge that adds additional prison time to the base term of a felony. Price made a new mandate that certain enhancements cannot be automatically connected to cases without review, Price says that “We put the brakes on automatic addition of enhancements to cases because historically they were being applied with no supervision, no procedures, no policies, and no accountability.

Enhancements have not been

applied equally. One type of enhancement frequently used which has been studied is Life without the possibility of parole (LWOP).

The UCLA Center for the Study of Women found that 82% of all the persons sentenced to LWOP in Alameda County under the age of 18 are Black. Many Black youthful offenders are like LilRon Jones, who at age 17 killed 15-year-old Jubrille Jordan, an innocent bystander and was sentenced as an adult to 114 years in prison.

“Since the 90s, California has enacted over 100 sentencing enhancements, many of which are outdated, and incoherent.” Says Price. “There is no compelling evidence that enhancements improve public safety. In fact, the opposite is true. While initial incarceration prevents crime through incapacitation, studies show that each additional sentence year causes a 4% to 7% increase in recidivism that eventually outweighs any benefit. The tremendous cost of mass imprisonment also means cities, counties, and the state lack fiscal resources to proactively address root causes of violence. If we are serious about reducing recidivism, we need to challenge mass imprisonment and address root causes of harmful behavior. The District Attorney Office has been functioning without policy guiding standardized use of enhancements and allegations, allowing enhancements

Holy Names University ...

Continued from page 1

training will continue, even if the Board chooses to dissolve the University.

Because HNU has not yet been

to be applied unfairly.”

Price acknowledges that some people and the media “cherry pick” information as a few cases, much of it not real, and unfortunately, some people accept misinformation as fact.

“Despite the rumors, we are charging people utilizing enhancements where appropriate. The investigations related to these two highway shootings are ongoing, one size definitively does not fit all. We must be informed and mindful of all the evidence when we make our decisions. This takes time, a rush to judgment is not justice. My commitment to the people and this office demands we give appropriate scrutiny to each case and have a policy to ensure fairness. That is the only way our office can render justice for the survivors of crime, the public and the person who caused the harm. Our mission is assuring justice for all involved.

Special Directive 23-01 issued established a process that supervisory approval is required by the unit supervisor, Chief Assistant District Attorney and the District Attorney before certain enhancements are attached to a case. This assures that neither cognitive bias nor racial bias plays a part in the decision-making process.”

community it purports to serve.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) reintroduced the Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act to acknowledge the role of arts and humanities in dismantling systemic racism in the United States.

The proposed legislation aims to establish a program through the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities that will offer grants to public and nonprofit organizations, including those led by people of color, as well as faith-based and community-based groups.

The grants will support projects that work towards combating racism and increasing engagement with these organizations. “The Advancing Equity Through Arts and Humanities Act recognizes the countless advantages of engaging in the arts, particularly for young people. It also acknowledges the cultural and social importance of representation in the arts and the obstacles that prevent marginalized communities from accessing these resources regularly.” Said Congresswoman Lee.

“Throughout history, art has

played a crucial role in the fight for equity both in the United States and around the world. Creative expressions such as music, poetry, paintings, and other forms of art have been instrumental in conveying emotions, communicating complex ideas, inspiring action, and achieving impossible goals. Lee continued.

Engaging in artistic activities can significantly decrease the dropout rate of low-income students by five times compared to their peers. Improved access to the arts can have a powerful impact on children, veterans, low-income communities, and those affected by the justice system. Additionally, cultural districts have been linked to reduced poverty, improved child welfare, and lower morbidity without displacing neighborhoods.

Oakland native, former Barbara Lee staffer & one of the Tennessee 3 — expelled from the Tennessee legislature for protesting gun violence — will be in Oakland this Saturday!

Barbara

Saturday, May 13th 10a.m. to Noon Downtown Oakland - address provided upon RSVP. This is a fundraiser for Justin’s re-election to the Tennessee legislature.

This event is promoted by former Mayor Libby Schaaf who now directs Emerge California.

required to seek a decree from superior court for its proposed distribution plan, we do not know the Board’s true intentions for its $55 million endowment. However, we have heard that the Board is making plans to distribute HNU’s endowment outside of Oakland, and perhaps even outside of California for non-educational uses.

If this is true, such a plan wholly disregards HNU’s declared purpose, violates California’s public policy, and fails the very

Justice for Tyrique Watley ...

Continued from page 1

and pursue his dream of playing football.”

Mrs. Howard-McNair said, “This loss has impacted us tremendously. Every day is hard not having him here with us. The holidays are really hard, and his smile, presence, laughter, and quirkiness are missed. He had a bright future ahead, but we will never know how his life would have turned out because his life was taken. We are calling for any witnesses to come forward with any information from that night. We want and need justice for Tyrique! I don’t want him to be just another number or forgotten!”

The Family Support Advocates join with Tyrique Watley’s grieving family and loved ones to ask

In a press statement released May 5, Councilmember-at-Large Rebecca Kaplan reported to the public about city officials’ attempt to work with the HNU Board of Trustees to protect the university’s endowment and funding students who are training to become teachers.

Oakland Deputy Mayor Kimberly Mayfield, Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, Councilmember Carroll Fife, a HNU alumni, and Kaplan sent a letter to HNU, calling on the university to guarantee it will not “abandon” its students who went to the university hoping to become K-12 teachers.

that anyone in the community with information contact the Homicide Section at (510) 238-3821 or the TIP LINE at (510) 238-7950. CrimeStoppers of Oakland are offering a reward for an arrest in this case. #JusticeforTyrique.

FAMILY SUPPORT ADVOCACY TASK FORCE

The mission of the Family Support Advocacy Task Force, a committee of the Violence Prevention Coalition, is to advocate for local, state, and federal policies and legislation to enhance and expand support to families and friends of those who experienced violence; for more compassionate and transparent communication between law enforcement, the district attorney with the family of homicide victims and to push for the elimination of all violence, but particularly gun violence and homicides.

Photo courtesy of BART.

Oakland City Councilpersonat-Large Rebecca Kaplan. File photo.

Congressman John J. Conyers, Jr. (D-MI) and bronze bust, Steven Whyte, sculptor, at unveiling, The Carnegie Library, Washington, DC. The bust is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington. DC.

Photograph by Conway Jones

Oakland City Attorney Barbara Parker. File photo.

Alameda County District Attorney, Pamela Price

Lee is inviting the public to Join her in honoring Mother’s Day by supporting her re-election as a champion for violence prevention and learning more about how you can support commonsense gun laws and stop senseless violence.