laws gave me two life sentences for drug possession. After serving 28 years, mostly in solitary confinement, I am free to lead a movement to get the formerly incarcerated to give back.’
By Richard Johnson
I have written this book in hopes of being able to keep others from traveling down the path that leads to imprisonment or a cemetery. At the very beginning of writing this book, it began as a message to my son Fati Yero Gaidi, who was only two years old at the time that I was given two life sentences in prison for drug possession, under the newly implemented three-strikes-you’re-out law. The more that I wrote, the book began to evolve beyond its intended purpose
Than 500 Join Interfaith Rally in Solidarity with Los Angeles Resistance to Trump Invasion
By Post Staff
In response to last week’s “invasion” of Los Angeles by armed and masked federal agents, East Bay faith leaders and community members, joined by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, held an Interfaith vigil Tuesday evening at Oakland’s Fruitvale Plaza in support of Los Angeles residents and immigrant communities across the country.
More than 500 people attended the Tuesday evening rally in Oakland, which was held simultaneously with a prayer vigil in Los Ange-
I am most proud of our ability to fund these critical city services without the use of one-time fixes. We are still suffering consequences of last year’s budget – where a majority of the Council, myself not included, chose to incorporate anticipated proceeds from the sale of the Coliseum to fund essential services. Since the sale has still not yet been completed, the lack of funds led to drastic cuts in city services –including the temporary closure of fire stations, staff layoffs, and the cancellations of many service contracts. The budget that we passed this week proudly does not fund recurring expenses with anticipated one-time revenue – and moves our city towards being fiscally responsible with our taxpayers’ funds. “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18 postnewsgroup.com
Special to The Post
Interfaith leaders from the Bay Area participated in a panel discussion at the annual meeting of Communication leaders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints held on Temple Hill in Oakland on May 31. Distinguished faith leaders Rev. Ken Chambers, executive director the Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC); Michael Pappas, executive director of the San Francisco Interfaith Council; and Dr. Ejaz Naqzi, president of the Contra Costa County Interfaith Council addressed the group on key issues including homelessness, food insecurity, immigration, and meaningful opportunities to care for
Adopts Two-Year $4.36 Billion Budget
By Post Staff
In a show of unity, the Oakland City Council this week adopted a two-year, $4.36 billion budget, almost three weeks ahead of the endof-month deadline.
The new budget contains no layoffs, no fire station closings and utilizes no revenues from the sale of the Coliseum complex.
“I worked closely on this budget with City Council President Kevin Jenkins (who served as interim mayor) and a unified City leadership to ensure it reflected many of
my goals in my 10-point plan for my first 100 days in office – beginning with passing a balanced budget,” said Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, who was only recently sworn in.
“It allocates funding for clean streets, reliable fire protection, and decisive blight and illegal-dumping cleanup — echoing Point 5 from that plan, which called for strengthened blight crews and aggressive action with the DA’s office,” Lee said.
“It also advances our public-
on page 12
Mayor Lee Worked Cooperatively with Council on Budget
emies, invest millions of dollars to combat illegal dumping and sideshow prevention, improve our permitting processes, fund a “business incentives” program to revitalize our commercial corridors, improve upon our homelessness prevention work, amplify the city’s anti-trafficking programs, reinstate our tree services division, staff up our Auditor’s office – all while preventing any layoffs of city staff, keeping our senior centers and after-school programs open, and crisis services like MACRO funded.
By Ken Epstein
Public attention has focused on the courageous statements of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, and other officials opposing federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in communities across the country, now at a boiling point in Los Angeles.
But less attention has centered on the grassroots community groups that have been working in local immigrant neighborhoods for months and years to help vulnerable residents organize to defend their legal rights for themselves, their families, and their communities.
One organization, based in Chicago, is Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD), which describes itself as “a group of undocumented, unapologetic, and unafraid organizers building a resistance movement against deportations and the criminalization of immigrants and people of color in Chicago.”
According to OCAD’s website, “We defend our communities, challenge the institutions that target and dehumanize us, and build collective power through grassroots organizing and cross-movement building. We fight alongside families and individuals challenge
les, where rabbis, pastors, Muslim faith leaders, and indigenous spiritual leaders gathered to pray and speak out about the federal government’s abuses of power.
Earlier on the same day, hundreds of protesters at San Francisco and Concord immigration courts shut down the courts after masked, plainclothes federal ICE agents detained people seeking asylum attending their court hearings.
“Too many families in Los Angeles torn apart by this invasion still do not have access to a lawyer — and that’s not an accident. We, the people, the community, are here to
By Janani Ramachandran District 4 Oakland City Councilmember
On Wednesday June 11, City Council took a bold step to prioritize investing in essential city services to get our beautiful Town back on track. As Chair of the Finance Committee, I am proud to have led a collaborative process, alongside Councilmembers Rowena Brown, Zac Unger, and Charlene Wang, to develop a set of amendments to the proposed FY 2025-2027 budget which passed successfully with a vote of 6 – 1. Despite facing a $265 million structural budget deficit, we were able to restore funding to ensure that all 25 fire stations remain open, fund five police acad-
individuals and communities in need.
Chambers, said he is thankful for the leadership and support of the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-
day Saints’ global ministry, which recently worked with the interfaith congregations of ICAC to help Yasjmine Oeveraas a homeless Norwegian mother and her family
find shelter and access to government services.
Oeveraas told the story of how she was assisted by ICAC to the Oakland Post. “I’m
By Tanya Dennis Part 5
In a shocking miscarriage of justice, a California probate judge issued a Statement of Decision on March 28 riddled with numerous documented errors that invalidated the estate plan of esteemed Black Studies professor Dr. Laura Dean Head. The ruling from the Alameda County Superior Court’s probate division in Berkeley has sparked outrage from advocates for probate reform, community members and civil rights activists, who say the decision reflects deep
hope again.
with
Recently, we
to California for my son’s
but my plan to drive for
through, leaving us homeless again. Through 2-11, I was connected to Rev. Ken Chambers, pastor of the West Side Missionary Baptist Church and president of the Interfaith Council of Alameda County, and his car park program, which changed our lives. We spent about a weekand-a-half living in our car before being blessed with a trailer. After four years of uncertainty and 18 months of homelessness, this program has given us stability and
“Now, both my son and I have the opportunity to continue our education. I’m pursuing cyber analytics, something I couldn’t do while living in the car. My son can also complete his education, which is a huge relief. This program has given us the space to focus and regain our dignity. I am working harder than ever to reach my goals and give back to others in need.”
Richard Kopf, communication director for The Church of Jesus Christ in the Bay Area stated: “As followers of Jesus Christ, we embrace interfaith cooperation and are united in our efforts to show God’s love for all of his children.”
From left to right: Troy McCombs (from the state of Washington), Elder Mark Mortensen (from Irvine, CA), Michael Pappas, Rev. Ken Chambers, Dr. Ejaz Naqvi, Elder Sigfried Nauman (from the state of Washington), and Richard Kopf. Courtesy photo.
Hundreds gathered at Fruitvale Plaza in Oakland on June 10 in solidarity with immigrants and opposed to Trump’s use of armed federal agents in Los Angeles. Photo by Beth LaBerge/KQED.
Richard Johnson and son Fati. Courtesy photo.
DisKamala Harris Surprises Compton High Grads at 2025 Ceremony ... see page 2 Tara Lynn Gray on How California Supports Small Businesses with Funding and Training to SCALE... see page 2 ‘Stuff’ Smith: Jazz’s Electrified Violin Voice ... see
District 4 Oakland City Councilmember Janani Ramachandran. Photo courtesy City of Oakland.
Oakland City Hall.
Dr. Head and Zakiya Jendayi: Their 28 -year friendship was ignored by Probate Court Judge Bean who ruled in favor of Dr. Head’s estranged sisters. One sister could not identify Head, in a picture shown while under oath.
Kamala Harris Surprises Compton High Grads at 2025 Ceremony
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Former Vice President Kamala
Harris made a surprise appearance at Compton High School’s graduation on June 5, joining more than 300 seniors and their families in a celebration held at the school’s new football stadium.
Although Harris did not deliver a speech, she stayed on stage throughout the ceremony. In a post on X, she said she was
personally invited by graduating senior MyShay Causey, who met Harris while working at a restaurant where Harris and her husband were dining.
“She wrote a note to me and shared it with him, telling me about her incredible work in her community and her dream to work in education policy,” Harris wrote. “We spoke on the phone, and she invited me to attend Compton High School’s graduation. It was my honor to attend her
ceremony today and celebrate the outstanding Class of 2025.”
Graduates took selfies with Harris and cheered her unexpected visit.
According to the district, 87% of Compton High seniors were accepted into community and four-year colleges, including UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, and Cornell. The district called the moment “more than just a graduation — it’s a moment that will live on in Compton history.”
the journalists and media outlet leaders, and small business owners, about her work with CalOSBA and shared insights she has gleaned over her three-decade career as a small-business-ownerturned-advocate.
Which small business owners do you primarily serve?
All of them. I am responsible for state programs that support all small businesses. During my fouryear tenure to date, my team and I have administered 14 programs, a total of $5.3 billion in appropriations, supporting more than 500,000 of the state’s 4.2 million small businesses.
By Charlene Muhammad California Black Media
Small businesses in California account for about 99% of all businesses in the state, making them the sector most responsible for job creation, more than 7 million.
Considering their importance to the state economy, Gov. Jerry Brown created the Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) in 2012.
In 2021, Dr. Tara Lynn Gray was sworn in as the 5th Director of CalOSBA.
In that role, Dr. Gray serves as a voice and visionary for California’s 4 million-plus small businesses, providing information about state resources, connecting owners with funding, and communicating the priorities of small businesses to decision-makers in Sacramento.
On May 19, Gray spoke with a group of Black news publishers in Sacramento at a roundtable organized by California Black Media (CBM).
In the invitation-only information session, Gray spoke with
Describe the current state of small businesses in California. The current state of small business is good. We are California. We are now the fourth-largest economy in the world. We invented the unicorn. Our businesses receive two-thirds of the venture capital in the United States. We file more patents than any other state. We have the lowest firstyear failure rate of all of the states in the Union. There are pockets in communities and regions across the state that are still struggling with building strong entrepreneurial ecosystems that reflect the greater success that coastal regions and Silicon Valley have experienced.
Are there still systemic barriers affecting underserved entrepreneurs?
Absolutely. In my office, we center our work around what I call three imperatives for small business success.
The first is democratizing access to capital. That’s making sure that there is available capital — the right size and the right type of capital for every kind of small business.
The second imperative is to di-
Rhonda Smith
Special to California Black Media Partners
Obesity is a structural and systemic health crisis that demands a public health response.
Across California, nearly onethird of adults are living with obesity, according to data from UCLA. But behind this number lies a deeper truth: obesity is a disease, not a choice, and Black and Brown communities are bearing the brunt of its consequences.
The proposed budget cuts to Medicaid/Medi-Cal threaten to make things significantly worse.
Obesity is linked to a host of chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, all of which Black and Brown communities experience with worse outcomes and higher disease-related deaths. These health conditions drive nearly half the cost of chronic disease care in the U.S., draining both lives and livelihoods. And the burden is not shared evenly. In California,
36.8% of Black adults are living with obesity, which is significantly higher than the state average.
Under-resourced communities already face barriers to accessing quality healthcare nutritious food, safe places to be active, and culturally competent healthcare providers.
California has the highest total obesity-related medical costs in the United States, with annual medical care expenditures of adults with obesity nearly three times greater than for adults with normal weight, the greatest difference of any state.
Recent studies show that the obesity rate in California is projected to increase to 41% by 2030. Cutting access to effective, evidence-based treatments will exacerbate the disparities and costs — particularly for newer classes of medications, such as GLP-1 drugs.
These medications are proving to be effective not just at managing obesity, but at reducing downstream health conditions and
costs. A recent workforce analysis from Aon found that individuals using GLP-1s saw a measurable reduction in healthcare spending, which could also result in potential gains in productivity and fewer workdays lost to illness.
While Black Californians represent about 7% of the total MediCal enrollees, 1,013,251of them — about 50% of the state’s total Black population — are enrolled in Medi-Cal. The budget cuts risk reinforcing the very inequities California has pledged to dismantle. And while it may promise short-term savings, the long-term costs — medical, economic, and human lives — will far overshadow them.
California has long positioned itself as a leader in public health and health equity and we cannot retreat from being that beacon now. Instead of cutting access to healthcare services and treatments like obesity medications, we should be investing in scalable, community-driven solu-
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Two proposed rules to eliminate the usage of gas water heaters and furnaces by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) in Southern California were rejected by the Governing Board on June 6. Energy policy analysts say the board’s decision has broader implications for the state.
With a 7-5 vote, the board decided not to amend Rules 1111 and1121 at the meeting held in Diamond Bar in L.A. County.
The proposal would have affected 17 million residents in Southern California, requiring businesses, homeowners, and renters to convert to electric units.
“We’ve gone through six months, and we’ve made a deci-
sion today,” said SCAQMD board member Carlos Rodriguez. “It’s time to move forward with what’s next on our policy agenda.”
The AQMD governing board is a 13-member body responsible for setting air quality policies and regulations within the South Coast Air Basin, which covers areas in four counties: Riverside County, Orange County, San Bernardino County and parts of Los Angeles County.
The board is made up of representatives from various elected offices within the region, along with members who are appointed by the Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, and Senate Rules Committee.
Holly J. Mitchell, who serves as a County Supervisor for the Second District of Los Angeles County, is a SCAQMD board
member. She supported the amendments, but respected the board’s final decision, stating it was a “compromise.”
“In my policymaking experience, if you can come up with amended language that everyone finds some fault with, you’ve probably threaded the needle as best as you can,” Mitchell said before the vote. “What I am not okay with is serving on AQMD is making no decision. Why be here? We have a responsibility to do all that we can to get us on a path to cleaner air.”
The rules proposed by AQMD, Rule 1111 and Rule 1121, aim to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from natural gas-fired furnaces and water heaters. Rule 1111 and Rule 1121 were designed to control air pollution,
Tara Lynn Gray, Director of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate.
Photo by Dennis J. Freeman, News4USOnline. Vice President Kamala Harris receives an honorary diploma from Compton School Board President Micah Ali during Compton High School’s graduation ceremony.
Celebrate Father’s Day with These 3 Books
MacArthur Fellow Dorothy Roberts’ Advocates Restructure of Child Welfare System
artists a poet/writer, histo rian, and dancer/choreographer who each receive $800,000 over
min,
olds, and Dorothy Roberts. This is the eighth and last in the series highlighting the Black awardees.
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
Your Dad is the best.
He gives great hugs, first of all. He teaches you things, fixes what’s broken, and he likes to play with you sometimes. Dad works hard, he’s really smart, and he picks great books to read before your bedtime. Books like these:
Who doesn’t like to go camping with Dad? In the new book, “You Make the World” by Múon Thi Văn, illustrated by Phùng Nguyȇn Quang & Huynh Kim Liên (Orchard Books, $18.99), a young child goes out in nature with their father, and learns a few things about what makes the world go ’round — at least, in Dad’s eyes. It’s a book that sings with joy and love; but it will also
help your child understand that emotions actually mean something. Just don’t be surprised if this sweet little story makes Dad tear up a bit because it’s that kind of book. “You Make the World” is perfect for bedtime, and it’s great for kids ages 3-7.
Another book full of love is “Love, Dad: Inspiring Notes from Fathers to Kids” by Dr. Joel Warsh and Andrew Gardner, illustrated by David Elmo Cooper (Random House, $14.99).
Here, authors Warsh and Gardner asked “lots of dads” what they wished their kids knew, and what they “hoped to teach their kids.”
It starts with the words, “When you grow up, I hope you…” and the rest of the sentences are warm, loving, funny, inspiring, empowering, and good for kids of any age. Read this book now to your
erts is excerpted from the MacArthur Fellows web site.
5- to 7-year-old, then make it a tradition by reading it every year for the next five or 10 years.
A graduate of Yale University with a law degree from Harvard, Dorothy Roberts is a legal scholar and public policy researcher exposing racial inequities embedded within health and social service systems.
Sine 2012, she has been a professor of Law and Sociology, and on the faculty in the department of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.
And finally, if you’re looking for something your dad might love to read, or if you’re a father yourself, consider “Fatherhood: A History of Love and Power” by Augustine Sedgewick (Scribner, $30).
Roberts’s work encompasses reproductive health, bioethics, and child welfare. She sheds light on systemic inequities, amplifies the voices of those directly affected, and boldly calls for wholesale transformation of existing systems.
Roberts’s early work focused on Black women’s reproductive rights and their fight for reproductive justice. In “Killing the Black
“By any measure, fatherhood is one of the most meaningful concepts in human culture,” the author says, but it can also be filled with aspects that today’s society might find oppressive, to one degree or another. For example, the idea that men must provide for and protect partners and offspring has been around a long time – though it’s changed and adapted with modern attitudes, feminism, and other forces. You’ll see it through Sedgewick’s portraits of influential, powerful men throughout history, men who happened to be fathers.
This is a thoughtful, ‘aha!’ kind of book for the dad who wants to read something different, for an older teen who’d like a history of an unusual sort, or for the mom who wants a peek into the other side of parenting.
Of course, there’s more to being a dad than biology, and there are more books on the subject at your favorite bookstore or library. To find them, you just need to step inside and ask for books on being a dad, being a child with a Daddy, or getting to know the man who was your father.
Indeed, your librarian or bookseller can help you find the Father’s Day books that are the best.
examine the treatment of children of color in the U.S. child welfare system.
families are much more likely than white children to be removed from their families after CPS referral.
By Tamara Shiloh
After nearly two decades of research and advocacy work alongside parents, social workers, family defense lawyers, and organizations, Roberts has concluded that the current child welfare system is in fact a system of family policing with alarmingly unequal practices and outcomes. Her 2001 book, “Shattered Bonds: The Color of Child Welfare,” details the outsized role that race and class play in determining who is subject to
‘Stuff’ Smith: Jazz’s Electrified Violin Voice
In the swing-era landscape of jazz, the violin rarely took center stage — until Hezekiah Leroy Gordon “Stuff” Smith picked up the bow.
Born in 1909 in Portsmouth,
In “Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families—and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World (2022),”
Roberts traces the historical, cultural, and political forces driving the racial and class imbalance in child welfare interventions.
These include stereotypes about Black parents as negligent, devaluation of Black family bonds, and stigmatization of parenting practices that fall outside a narrow set
Ohio, and raised in Cleveland, Smith brought a new heat to the instrument, making it swing, shout, and electrify. Where others used the violin as a gentle accent, Smith transformed it into a powerhouse of rhythm and improvisation.
Smith started early, following in his father’s footsteps as a classically trained violinist. But his path veered sharply into the world of blues and jazz when
She also shows that blamingtural problems, while ignoring the historical roots of economic and social inequality, fails families andgrained oppressive features of thetirely new approach focused on supporting families rather than punishing them. Her support for dismantling the current system of child welfare is unsettling to some, but her provocation inspires many to think more critically about its poor track record and harmful design. By uncovering the complex forces underlying social systems and institutions, and uplifting the experiences of people caught up in them, Roberts creates opportunities to imagine and build more uitable and responsive ways to ensure child and family safety.
The Bookworm Sez
Book Review
Special to The Post
Oct. 1, it was noted that eight of the 22 MacArthur fellows were African American. Among the re cipients of the so-called ‘genius grants’ are scholars, visual and media
a five-year period to spend as they
Jericho Brown, Tony Cokes,
Dorothy Roberts. Photo courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. Ma cArthur Foundation.
Three books touch on aspects of fatherhood. Photo courtesy of Terri Schlichenmeyer.
Leroy Gordon “Stuff” Smith. Public domain.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
‘Unnecessary Danger’: Gov. Newsom Blasts Rollback of Emergency Abortion Care Protections
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
Gov. Gavin Newsom is criticizing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for rolling back federal protections for emergency abortion care, calling the move an “unnecessary danger” to the lives of pregnant patients in crisis.
Effective May 29, CMS rescinded guidance that had reinforced the obligation of hospitals to provide abortion services under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) when necessary to stabilize a patient’s condition.
Newsom warned that the rollback will leave patients vulnerable in states with strict or total abortion bans.
Air Quality Board Rejects Two Rules ...
Continued from page 2
particularly emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Two days before the Governing Board’s vote, gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa asked SCAQMD to reject the two rules.
Villaraigosa expressed his concerns during a Zoom call with the Cost of Living Council, a Southern California organization that also opposes the rules. Villaraigosa said the regulations are difficult to understand.
“Let me be clear, I’ve been a big supporter of AQMD over the decades. I have been a believer and a fighter on the issue of climate change my entire life,” Villaraigosa said. “But there is no ques-
“Today’s decision will endanger lives and lead to emergency room deaths, full stop,” Newsom said in a statement. “Doctors must be empowered to save the lives of their patients, not hem and haw over political red lines when the clock is ticking. In California, we will always protect the right of physicians to do what’s best for their patients and for women to make the reproductive decisions that are best for their families.”
The CMS guidance originally followed the 2022 Dobbs decision, asserting that federal law could preempt state abortion bans in emergency care settings. However, legal challenges from anti-abortion
Continued on page 11
tion that what is going on now just doesn’t make sense. We are engaging in regulations that are put on the backs of working families, small businesses, and the middle class, and we don’t have the grid for all this.”
Rules 1111 and 1121 would also establish manufacturer requirements for the sale of space and water heating units that meet low-NOx and zero-NOx emission standards that change over time, according to SCAQMD.
The requirements also include a mitigation fee for NOx-emitting units, with an option to pay a higher mitigation fee if manufacturers sell more low-NOx water heating and space units.
Proponents of the proposed rules say the fees are designed to incentivize actions that reduce emissions.
As Obesity Crushes Our Communities ...
Continued from page 2
tions that address the root causes of health disparities.
State lawmakers must protect Medi-Cal coverage and preempt the risk of escalating costs and poorer health outcomes and focus on disease prevention and progression. Effective obesity treatments can be a solution. Equity, prevention, and a long-term vision should guide our budget
Tara Lynn Gray on How California Supports Small Businesses ...
Continued from page 2
versify the innovation economy — making sure that all founders have access to the social and financial networks, and thought leadership, that really help create synergy and market advantage.
Lastly, we must drive economic mobility through entrepreneurship, which is really about making sure that the zip code you’re born in, if disadvantaged, does not dictate how far you can go economically or how quickly you can build wealth.
‘Stuff’
Smith ...
Continued from page 4
he began performing with blues singer Bessie Smith in the 1920s. By the mid-1930s, he’d found his place in Harlem’s vibrant scene, playing the Cotton Club and later forming the Onyx Club Boys.
Their 1936 hit “I’se a Muggin’” wasn’t just playful – it was revolutionary. Stuff’s violin led the tune with percussive bite and daring improvisation. It was swing music with teeth, driven by a sound rarely heard from a violin. He wore his cap backward, grinned while he played, and often sang or shouted in between solos. In every way, he was bending tradition toward joy.
A key part of his innovation was amplification. Long before the electric violin was commonplace, Stuff was rigging his instrument to be heard over drums and horns. That move – practical and prophetic – gave his playing new power and helped lead the violin into modern jazz settings.
While contemporaries like Stéphane Grappelli leaned into elegance, Smith leaned into the
choices, not short-term savings that come at the cost of our most vulnerable communities.
At such a critical moment for Americans’ healthcare at both the federal and state levels, California elected officials need to do the right thing and support coverage for anti-obesity medication, and protect Medi-Cal. About the Author Rhonda Smith is the Executive Director of the California Black Health Network.
Describe some programs CalOSBA has to support for aspiring small business owners or those struggling to stay afloat? We tell small business owners not to go at it alone. There is help. The Governor made the funding for the Small Business Technical Assistance Program permanent at $26 million a year. We have $23 million dedicated to the Technical Assistance Program for the provision of one-on-one counseling sessions, training classes, and outreach. We rebranded the program from TAP to SCALE, which stands for Success, Capital, Access and Leadership for Entrepreneurs.
beat. His style was gutsy, bluesy, and grounded in swing, yet flexible enough to jam with bebop pioneers like Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He wasn’t boxed in by genre or form – just guided by rhythm and intuition.
In the 1950s and ’60s, disillusioned by American racism, Smith took his talents to Europe. He found a warm reception in Denmark, where he performed regularly until his death in 1967. Though never a household name in the U.S., his influence has rippled through jazz for decades.
Smith’s legacy is more than a directory of recordings. It’s a blueprint for breaking musical boundaries. He proved that the violin, when placed in the hands of someone bold enough to amplify both sound and spirit, could swing as hard as any horn.
For modern listeners, his music remains a revelation. Play “You’se a Viper” and hear how he injects humor, rhythm, and grit all at once. Or listen to “Desert Sands,” where his phrasing turns smoky and soulful. Either way, Stuff Smith’s violin doesn’t just sing. it testifies.
‘We Are Better Than This’: Black Caucus Denounces L.A. County ICE Raids as Multiple Protests Erupt
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
Members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) last week condemned ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in California.
The caucus released the statement the same day multiple protests erupted in Los Angeles County, reacting to three ICE raids conducted in that area.
“For months we have watched the unsettling images of federal agents rampaging through our communities. We have stood in horror as masked, heavily armed men ransack neighborhoods under the color of law leaving terror and trauma in their wake,” read a June 6 statement released by the CLBC.
Assemblymember Tina McKinnor (D-Inglewood), a member of the CLBC and chair of the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation, urged protestors to show restraint and deescalate rising tensions.
“Don’t take the bait. Remain peaceful. Peace is our power,” she posted on Facebook.
McKinnor also blasted the feds for detaining David Huerta, a popular labor leader and president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), who was documenting the raids.
“The actions by this feder-
al government are un-American,” wrote McKinnor in a statement. “We demand is immediate release and an end to the terror being inflicted on communities across L.A. County by this administration.”
According to Yasmeen Pitts, a Homeland Security Investigations division spokesperson, 44 people have been detained in arrests related to the protests.
Pitts said ICE agents targeted three locations in central Los Angeles they accuse of harboring undocumented immigrants.
The Black Caucus statement called the violent arrest of community leaders leading protests against the raids “a tool in the authoritarian playbook.”
“No person or family, regardless of origin, deserves to be the target of the terror being inflicted across the country in this moment,” the statement continued.
On June 7, Bill Essayli, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, posted on X, “federal agents arrested over a dozen agitators today who impeded agents in their ability to conduct law enforcement operations.”
“We will continue to arrest anyone who interferes with federal law enforcement,” he added.
Continued on page 11
1111 Broadway, Suite 800, Oakland, CA 94607 (510) 208-7400 • www.alamedactc.org
Request for Proposals (RFP) for Environmental and Design Services for the I-680 Express Lane/High Occupancy Vehicle Lane Project (RFP No. R25-0006)
The Alameda County Transportation Commission (Alameda CTC) is seeking proposals for a contract to commence services in December 2025, or as indicated in the RFP and/or appropriate addenda.
Key Dates: - Optional Online Pre-Proposal Meeting is scheduled for Friday, June 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time (PT)
- Proposal due date: July 14, 2025, BEFORE 3:00 p.m. PT
All RFP documents are available Procurement Portal at https://alamedactc.bonfirehub.com. All questions regarding this RFP must be submitted via the Procurement Portal, no later than 1:00 p.m. PT on June 26, 2025.
Submittals must be made in accordance with the instructions in the RFP. Any contract awarded must be in compliance with the local, state, and/or federal requirements.
Assemblymember Tina Mckinnor (D-Inglewood), at the podium, is joined by a coalition of California lawmakers opposed to the ongoing ICE raids being conducted in communities across California. Courtesy of Asm. Tina Mckinnor’s office. iStock.
Without the Insurrection Act, the troops are just military window dressing, G.I. Joe symbols of power to induce fear in our country.
When Trump raised the rhetoric and called for unnecessary reinforcement, it was like showing up to the L.A. fires with gasoline, not water.
But this is what Trump wanted — to show off his unbridled strength.
Trump — called TACO when it comes to tariffs, an acronym for “Trump always chickens out” — sees the ICE raids in Los Angeles as his time to flex.
It’s Trump’s strongman moment, all greased up, and pumping up for the camera hard. It’s authoritarianism in action. Boots not just on the ground but in your face.
If you weren’t convinced by the takedown of big law firms, the shakedown of Harvard, the bullying of corporates to bend to his will, well this is your moment to notice the body language of a tyrant.
Trump knows what insurrection looks like. L.A. is not it.
Still, he wants to fight California and Newsom, and hurt all Californians.
event.
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
State Board of
Education
President Linda Darling-Hammond says Gov. Gavin Newsom’s newly unveiled Golden State Literacy Plan is an “encouraging milestone.”
According to the Governor’s office, the plan is central to California’s push to improve reading skills statewide, particularly in underserved communities.
By Emil Guillermo
Strange that President Donald Trump is so hell-bent on rounding up undocumented immigrants he calls “illegal aliens,” that he’s willing to break the law and be a bit illegal himself.
Can a president order the National Guard and the Marines to go into Los Angeles to confront protesters?
The law seems pretty clear. Not unless there was an invasion or a rebellion that threatened the country. On top of that, a president can’t even federalize the guard to move in without a governor’s consent.
That’s why Rob Bonta, California’s Attorney General, has filed a lawsuit to stop Trump’s overreach. On Aug. 10, Bonta also filed a temporary restraining order keeping Trump from doing any further damage
Nothing has stopped Trump so far.
With a big military parade through Washington, planned for June 14, what we’re witnessing is the slow unfurling of Trump’s new USA, where the “A” stands for autocracy.
Or maybe you prefer “Authoritarianism?”
Hmm. Maybe it’s a little of both.
“They shouldn’t be deployed on American soil facing their own countryman to fulfill the deranged fantasy of a dictatorial president. This is un-American,” Newsom said of Trump’s decision.
The Posse Comitatus Act is an 1878 law that specifically states the military cannot be used for law enforcement against fellow Americans.
The only way to justify even thinking about the Marines is to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807, which would be a real stretch to define what’s happened in downtown L.A.
Instead of working with us, the president threatens us with defunding of federal dollars because he doesn’t like the humanity of the state’s sanctuary laws.
After this past week in L.A., maybe people will notice how Saturday serves as a milestone for the Trump second term and the slow death of our democracy.
About the Author
Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. He’s written a weekly column on race, culture and politics since 1995.
As a standup, he is performing at the World Series of Comedy at Laughs Unlimited in Old Sacramento, Wed., June 11, 7 p.m. Get discount tickets. CODE: GIVE or FUNNY
With luck, he’ll advance and perform through Saturday.
https://viptickethub.com/unlimitedtickets/
See Emil on his micro-talk show “Emil Amok’s Takeout” on www. YouTube.com/@emilamok.com
Announced June 8 at Clinton Elementary School in Compton, the billion-dollar initiative is designed to expand evidencebased literacy instruction and deploy more than 1,000 literacy coaches and specialists to the state’s highest-need schools. The plan also funds early reading screenings, professional development for educators, and the continued rollout of Universal Transitional Kindergarten.
“The Golden State Literacy Plan is an encouraging milestone in our ongoing quest to improve literacy education, making sure it’s effective, meaningful, and engaging for all of our students,” said Darling-Hammond during the
She outlined the framework that will support student success: “We know effective literacy instruction requires early language development; diagnosis of student needs and progress; high-quality curriculum and materials; and preparation, professional development, and coaching for teachers so that they understand the reading process thoroughly and become adept at addressing diverse student needs, including those of English learners.”
Newsom’s plan builds on existing investments, including $500 million already allocated for literacy coaches and $6.8 billion in learning recovery funds to address academic and emotional setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
California has shown measurable progress in reading achievement over the past decade. Between 2011 and 2022, the state saw the largest gains in 8th grade reading scores on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) nationwide.
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
California is launching the CalAssist Mortgage Fund to deliver $105 million in mortgage relief to homeowners whose properties were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by recent natural disasters, including the Los Angeles County firestorms in January. The program opens for applications on June 12, offering grants of up to $20,000 per eligible household.
“Homeowners whose homes were destroyed in a recent fire, flood or other disaster deserve support in their recovery,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom. “The state is here to support. Today, California is extending this ongoing support to disaster vicContinued on page 11
Photo Courtesy of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Facebook page.
iStock.
Linda Darling Hammond. File photo.
Legendary Funk Pioneer Sly Stone Dies
By Stacy M. Brown
Sylvester “Sly” Stewart— known to the world as Sly Stone, frontman of the groundbreaking band Sly and the Family Stone—has died at the age of 82.
His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by loved ones, after battling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other health complications.
Born March 15, 1943, in Denton, Texas, Stone moved with his family to Vallejo, California, as a child. He began recording gospel music at age 8 with his siblings in a group called the Stewart Four. By his teenage years, he had mastered multiple instruments and was
already pioneering racial integration in music—an ethos that would define his career.
In 1966, Sly and his brother Freddie merged their bands to form Sly and the Family Stone, complete with a revolutionary interracial, mixed-gender lineup.
The band quickly became a commercial and cultural force with hits such as “Dance to the Music,” “Everyday People,” and “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—all penned by Stone himself. Their album “Stand!” (1969) and live performances—most notably at Woodstock—cemented their reputation, blending soul, funk, rock, gospel, and psychedelia to reflect the optimism and turmoil of their era.
Sly Stone’s musical ap-
Special to the Post
Since Juneteenth was declared a national holiday in 2021, it seems observations have proliferated in the Bay Area. Below, the Post shares some of the recently added events.
proach radically reshaped popular music. He transcended genre boundaries and empowered a new generation of artists. The band’s socially conscious message and infectious rhythms sparked a wave of influence, reaching artists as diverse as Miles Davis, George Clinton, Prince, Dr. Dre, and the Roots.
As the 1970s progressed, Stone confronted personal demons. His desire to use music as a response to war, racism, and societal change culminated in the intense album “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” (1971). But drug dependency began to undermine both his health and professional life, leading to erratic behavior and band decline through the early 1980s.
OAKLAND Liberation Summer: A Juneteenth Solstice Celebration
Get ready to experience Juneteenth like never before! We’re fusing the historical power of freedom with the exhilarating energy of the summer solstice and the vibrant narrative of Black beach culture at Liberation Park. This isn’t just an event; it’s a declaration of joy, a celebration of resilience, and a testament to community.
Join Black Cultural Zone organizers on Saturday, June 21 from 3-6 p.m. at Liberation Park at 7101 Foothill Boulevard, Oakland, CA, for a dynamic explosion of sound, flavor, and culture. Groove to live DJ sets, be mesmerized by dance and spoken word performances, and dive into a world of activities for all ages.
The “Juneteenth Jubilee & Solstice Celebration” will feature: • Rhythmic Vibes: Live DJs,
captivating dance, and powerful spoken word.
Cultural Currents: Explore the fascinating history of Black beach communities, West African coastal traditions, and the profound ties African Americans share with the ocean.
• Active Fun: Beach-themed games, family activities, and a refreshing beach-themed sip & paint.
AKOMA Cultural Market: Support and discover incredible local Black businesses and vendors.
Flavorful Feast: Indulge in delicious offerings from our food vendors and cool down at the Beach Bar.
BCZ will honor Oakland’s own Martin Luther King Shoreline Park and bring the day to a powerful close with a Solstice Send-Off, reflecting on freedom and new beginnings.
BCZ is partnering with Core Community Partners like the East Oakland Black Cultural Zone Collaborative, 40x40 Council (RISE East), Resilient Fruitvale, and other East Oakland nonprofits, as well as AKOMA vendors, to make this vision a reality.
Come celebrate freedom, em-
brace liberation, and connect with your community. THE LAKE SHOW!
‘JUNETEENTH EVENT!’ PICNIC AT THE LAKE! AFRO ENT & O2THEGBG present THE LAKE SHOW “Free Poetry for the People!” An open-air platform for artists to express themselves to the public on June 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cleveland Cascade on Lakeshore Avenue in Oakland.
* If it says sold out or you can’t register for tickets you can still show up and participate* THE LAKE SHOW “Free Poetry for the People!” is an openair platform for artists to express themselves to the public to give the audience an opportunity to hear some talented spoken word poets and artists in the Bay Area. This Sunday we will be hosting a FREE POETRY FOR THE PEOPLE event with artists performing LIVE at Lake Merritt! Hosted by O2 The Good Bad Buy and UpsideDownGhost! We’ll be playing all your favorite BBQ and Family Reunion jams to create a safe and welcoming environment for ALL to be welcomed to attend. Music and Open Mic sign up list
Sly and the Family Stone play the Opera House in Bournemouth. Mojo review. Photo by Simon Fernandez.
Members of the Major Taylor Bay Area cycling group will host a ride on June 19. Courtesy photo.
Michelle Milam, a community activist will appear at the #Juneteenth Silence Our Violence Leadership Summit on June 20. Photo by Mike Kinney of The Richmond Standard.
Bay Area Leaders Condemn Detention of SEIU President
By Thomas Hughes Bay City News
on Friday during protests against federal immigration raids in Los Angeles.
Huerta remained detained at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility at the federal building in Los Angeles as of Sunday afternoon, according to U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters, a Democratic Los Angeles congresswoman who was denied entry to the building when attempting to check on Huerta, according to her social media.
An ICE spokesperson did not immediately respond to an email inquiry for more information on why Huerta was detained.
U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon, DOakland, said the arrest was unacceptable in a post on X on Friday.
“SEIU President David Huerta was injured and arrested today for simply exercising his first amend-
ment right during an ICE raid in LA,” Simon wrote. “How Huerta was treated is horrific and the increased terrorization of immigrant communities is unacceptable.”
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, released a statement through his office Sunday encouraging further peaceful protest and calling the arrest “unsurprising.”
“The Trump Administration’s choice to deploy California’s National Guard and arrest California SEIU President David Huerta are typical and unsurprising. The Trump Administration is doing exactly what they do best: dividing the American people and causing chaos,” he said.
“People have a right to protest peacefully and within the law. Local law enforcement has not requested federal support. Our Governor has asked this administration to get out of California, so they should get out. I urge Los Angeles residents to continue to stand up to this intimidation by continuing to speak out and demonstrate peace-
Continued on page 11
Juneteenth Events Around
starts at 11 a.m. No seats/chairs will be provided. This is a picnic so bring a blanket, bring your coolers, bring your drinks arrive early for a priority spot.
If you would like to be a vendor at the event, please DM @ O2THEGBG and please feel free to set up anywhere adjacent to the event space. We welcome ANY and ALL small businesses to come be a part of this event for the people of the Bay Area!
This is a FREE EVENT so RSVP for your tickets now! For more information or if you’re interested in performing, please DM our Instagram page at @acoupleofkidsfromoakland @_upsidedownghost_ or @O2TheGBG or click CONTACT ORGANIZER.
SAN FRANCISCO
March with DA Brooke
Jenkins at S.F.’s Third Annual Juneteenth Parade
Join District Attorney Brooke Jenkins at San Francisco’s Third Annual Juneteenth Parade! On June 22, the parade will begin at 11 a.m. on Market and Spear, proceeding west along Market to Eighth Street. Vehicles and parade floats will disperse south via Eighth Street. Those walking in the parade contingent will disperse onto westbound Grove and northbound Hyde streets.
BERKELEY
Juneteenth Celebration Bike
Ride with Major Taylor and Sports Basement
Come join Major Taylor Bay Area and the Sports Basement for the Fourth Annual Juneteenth Bike Ride—a daytime ride in celebration of Black joy, freedom, and community.
With Juneteenth falling on a Thursday this year, we’re switching things up with a morning-tomidday ride, complete with color-
ful outfits, music, and good vibes. No lycra necessary—just roll up in something that feels expressive and free. Add lights to your bike, bring a speaker if you have one, and let’s make this a rolling celebration of liberation.
We’ll be meeting on June 19 at 10 a.m. at Sports Basement Berkeley at 2727 Milvia St., then rolling out at 11 a.m. for a no-drop social ride down to Lake Merritt and back again. The ride will be followed by post-ride food, drinks, and community time back at the store—so plan to hang out!
As always, this is a familyfriendly event, but note that we’ll be riding on open roads. Please ensure any kids are confident riders who can handle the distance and terrain. Your safety is your own responsibility—ride smart, look out for one another, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from our MTBA ride crew.
The ride will begin and end around 2-2:30 p.m. at the Sports Basement Berkeley.
Reflections on the Black Struggle: Dr. Harry Edwards & Dr. Troy Duster
Join the Cal Alumni Association for a powerful and thoughtprovoking conversation exploring the arc of the African American struggle for justice and equality—where we’ve been, where we are, and where we may be headed. This 90-minute event on June 19 at the Cal Alumni Association at 1 Alumni House from 5:30-7 p.m. will unfold in three focused segments:
Our Past – A reflection on the historical roots of the African American struggle for social justice
Our Present – A critical look at the conditions and dynamics shaping Black life and politics today
Our Future – A forward-looking discussion on the potential trajectories for African Americans and the nation as a whole
The program will conclude with a robust Q&A session, engaging the audience in dialogue.
This special event features two distinguished voices in American sociology and social justice:
Dr. Harry Edwards, civil rights activist, pioneering scholar, and architect of the Olympic Project for Human Rights, will interweave the role of sport and the activism of athletes into the broader narrative of social change.
Dr. Troy Duster, Professor Emeritus and acclaimed sociologist, known for his groundbreaking work on race, public policy, and social inequality. A towering intellect in his own right, Dr. Duster brings personal and academic insight into the legacies of African American resistance and resilience.
Together, these two eminent scholars will offer a timely and essential conversation that challenges, informs, and inspires.
Doors open at 5 p.m. Seating is limited and will be first-come, first-serve. Standing room available.
Juneteenth Silence Our Violence Summit: Honoring Our Past, Uniting for Our Future will be held Friday, June 20 from 4-9 p.m. at CoBiz Richmond 1503 MacDonald Ave. Richmond, CA 94801
The summit is an urgent and powerful gathering to explore the U.S. history of harm and honor those we have lost to death, deportation, and systemic injustice. In the spirit of Juneteenth, we stand in remembrance and resistance, calling our communities together to chart a new way forward — one rooted in unity, justice, and healing.
What To Expect:
• Panel Discussions with thought leaders, survivors, and elected officials
• Live Music & Spoken Word performances from local artists
• Community Art Installations centered on remembrance and resilience
• Food & Fellowship to nourish body and soul
• Honoring Ceremony for lives lost and futures stolen — from gun violence to immigration policies
2025
SEIU logo. Photo courtesy Bay City News.
State Budget Cuts Threaten Popular State Parks Library Pass Program
By Sarah Stierch Bay City News
A California State Parks program that provides low-income and underserved residents free state park access is on the chopping block as the state Legislature
seeks to reduce a $12 billion budget deficit.
The California State Library Parks Pass is a state-funded program that allows library card holders to borrow park passes from their local library, providing them free access to over 200 participating state parks. Passes are returned to the library by a set date just like a borrowed book.
The program was created by Gov. Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom as part of their California for All program, which seeks to provide opportunities to underserved communities across the state. The
program is managed by the California State Library in conjunction with California State Parks.
The California State Parks Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the state’s park system through lobbying, fundraising, volunteering, and programming, says that the program has loaned 38,000 passes through 1,100 public libraries across the state since its launch in 2021.
A 2023 foundation survey reports that 63% of the program participants cited cost as the primary barrier for visiting state parks. Day-use fees at state parks aver-
PUBLIC NOTICE
THE CITY OF OAKLAND’S DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
INVITES PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING THE 2025-2030
HUD CONSOLIDATED PLAN, FY 2025-2026 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, AND CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN
The City of Oakland’s Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) invites Oakland residents to join attend a public hearing and share input on the Draft 2025-2030 Five-Year Consolidated Plan, Draft 2025-2026 Annual Action Plan and Draft Citizen Participation Plan. The purpose of the Five-Year Consolidated Plan is to determine the most pressing needs within the City of Oakland, and to develop effective, place-based, market-driven strategies to meet those needs. It also serves as an application for federal funds under the following U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) formula grant programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG); Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG); HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME); and Housing Opportunities or Persons With AIDS (HOPWA).
This planning document includes the FY 2025-26 Annual Action Plan, which outlines first year strategies that will be supported with federal grants through HCD. The grant amounts that the City of Oakland expects to receive for fiscal year 2025-2026 are as follows: CDBG - $7,412,561; ESG$657,787; HOME - $2,276,584.66; and HOPWA - $3,784,714.
The Draft Citizen Participation Plan is also available for public review. This document outlines actions to promote inclusive community engagement opportunities for residents—particularly low/moderateincome populations, minorities, and persons with disabilities—to shape decision-making for all draft plans.
The draft documents will be available electronically on the HCD website at https://www.oaklandca.gov/news/current-2020-2025-five-year-consolidated-plan
A public hearing will be held to receive comments at the Oakland City Council on July 1st, 2025. The purpose of this hearing is to invite input on the proposed Plans. This feedback will inform the finalization and adoption of the Plans. Tuesday, July 1st 2025, 3:30 p.m. Oakland City Hall City Council Chamber, 3rd Floor 1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Oakland, California 94612
The public comment period will end on June 30th, 2025.
City Council and Committee meetings are held in-person and are recorded. To comment, whether speaking in person or via teleconference, fill out a speaker card for each agenda item as instructed on the agenda. In-person speakers must submit their cards to the City Clerk 24 hours prior to the hearing. You can also submit comments online through the City of Oakland Calendar (legistar.com) or email them to council@oaklandca.gov.
Submission of Written Comments
Public comments must be submitted by June 30th, 2025. Written comments may be submitted to City of Oakland HCD, 250 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Suite 5313, Oakland, CA 94612. Email comments to: hcd@oaklandca.gov with subject “Public Hearing Comments.” For more information, call (510) 238-6182.
Accessibility
Meeting room is wheelchair accessible. To request disability-related accommodations or to request an American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Mandarin, Spanish, or Vietnamese language interpreter, contact (510) 238-6182, 711 (California Relay Service) or hcd@oaklandca.gov at least five (5) business days prior to the date of Public Hearing.
NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF A FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT REPORT FOR THE OAKLAND HARBOR TURNING BASINS WIDENING PROJECT
Project Description: To improve the safety and efficiency of vessels entering and exiting the Oakland Harbor, the Port of Oakland (Port), in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is proposing the Oakland Harbor Turning Basins Widening Project (Proposed Project) to increase the width of the existing turning basins. The Proposed Project is designed to improve vessel transit conditions and navigational safety.
Environmental Review: The Port, as the Lead Agency, has completed a Final Environmental Impact Report (EIR) that evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Project in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The Final EIR is available for public review at www.oaklandseaport.com/ turningbasins. Copies of the Final EIR are also available for viewing at the following locations:
Port of Oakland Office Lobby
530 Water Street, Oakland
• Oakland Public Library, West Oakland Branch, 1801 Adeline Street, Oakland
Oakland Public Library, Asian Branch 388 9th Street #190, Oakland
• Oakland Public Library, Central Library, 125 14th Street, Oakland
Oakland Public Library, César E. Chávez Branch, 3301 E. 12th Street #271, Oakland
Oakland African American Museum and Library 659 14th Street, Oakland
• Oakland Public Library, Golden Gate Branch, 5606 San Pablo Avenue, Oakland
Alameda Public Library, West End Branch, 788 Santa Clara Avenue, Alameda
• San Leandro Public Library, Main Library 300 Estudillo Avenue, San Leandro
Community involvement is essential to the CEQA process. From October 3, 2023, through December 18, 2023, the Port held a public comment period to receive comments on the environmental analysis presented in the Draft EIR and held four public meetings to share information on the Proposed Project and receive comments. The Final EIR includes responses to the public comments received during the Draft EIR public review and comment period.
Certification of the Final EIR is anticipated to be considered by the Board of Port Commissioners in July 2025. To participate, please visit the project website for details.
Photo courtesy California State Parks.
Detention of SEIU President ...
Continued from page 9
fully,” Thompson’s statement said.
SEIU local 1021 represents 60,000 employees in multiple fields in Northern California.
SEIU local 1021 President Theresa Rutherford said Huerta was hospitalized following his assault by ICE agents and that he was only present at the protest as an observer. She said Saturday that it remained unclear why he was still being detained.
Rutherford also passed on a statement from Huerta.
“President David Huerta has long been a fighter for immigrant rights and worker rights. He said, ‘What happened to me is not about me. This is about something much bigger. This is about how we as a community stand together and resist the injustice that’s happening. Hard-working people, and members of our family and our community, are being treated like criminals. We all collectively must object to this madness because this is not justice. This is injustice. And we all have to stand on the right side of justice.’”
The union is planning a rally
Popular State Parks Library Pass Program ...
Continued from page 10
age $5 to $35 per vehicle. At face value, the pass would cost around $195 to purchase.
Of the survey respondents, nearly 70% reported household incomes below $60,000 and over 63% identify as people of color.
The survey also reported that 90% of participants planned to visit parks more than seven times a year thanks to the pass.
Now the program is set to end on Dec. 31 as the state Legislature works to reduce the state’s deficit for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
“Cutting funding for this program sends the wrong message about California’s commitment to equity in outdoor access,” said Rachel Norton, the foundation’s
Monday at 4 p.m. in Sacramento to protest the arrest and raids that will be held on the west side of the Capitol.
The San Francisco Labor Council also released a statement denouncing the arrest and calling for his immediate release.
“We also call for an end to the cruel, destructive, and indiscriminate ICE raids that are tearing apart our communities, disrupting our economy, and hurting all working people. Immigrant workers are essential to our society: feeding our nation, caring for our elders, cleaning our workplaces, and building our homes,” the statement said.
Gov. Gavin Newsom also condemned the deployment of 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles in response to the protests in a news release Sunday that included a litany of statements critical of the ICE raids and military deployment from 14 of the state’s congressional representatives, both of its U.S. Senators, state Attorney General Rob Bonta, several state lawmakers, and representatives of the NAACP, ACLU Southern California, and Amnesty International.
executive director. “The California State Library Parks Pass is a proven and well-used program that’s reaching the people it was created to serve. Ending it now would waste years of investment and undermine meaningful progress in expanding access to nature.”
While the library pass program is slated to be cut, two programs also funded by the state, the California State Park Adventure Pass for fourth graders and the Golden Bear Pass for income-eligible households, will continue.
The foundation is asking residents to contact their legislators to demand that the California State Library Parks Pass funding is restored.
More information can be found at http://calparks.org/ librarypass2025.
NOTICE AND DIGEST
ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 13799 C.M.S.
(WHICH ADOPTED THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-25 MASTER FEE SCHEDULE), AS AMENDED, TO ESTABLISH, MODIFY AND DELETE FEES AND PENALTIES ASSESSED BY THE CITY OF OAKLAND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26
This Ordinance amends The FY 2024-25 Master Fee Schedule, as amended, to modify and establish City of Oakland fees for fiscal year 2025-26 as set forth in the Ordinance.
Notice of Publication
This Ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting, Tuesday afternoon June 3, 2025, and passed to print 8 Ayes; Final adoption has been scheduled for the City Council meeting Tuesday evening June 17, 2025, 3:30 P.M., at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Council Chamber, 3rd floor, Oakland, California, and via Teleconference.
Three full copies are available for use and examination by the public in the Office of the City Clerk at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 1st floor, Oakland, California.
ASHA REED, City Clerk
NOTICE AND DIGEST
AN ORDINANCE TO DESIGNATE THE CITY OF OAKLAND FIRE HAZARD SEVERITY ZONE
This ordinance designates the City of Oakland Fire Hazard Severity Zone, including areas not identified as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones by the State Fire Marshall, as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones following a finding supported by substantial evidence in the record that the requirements of Government Code Section 51182 are necessary for effective fire protection within the area.
Notice of Publication
This Ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting, Tuesday afternoon June 3, 2025, and passed to print 8 Ayes; Final adoption has been scheduled for the City Council meeting Tuesday evening June 17, 2025, 3:30 P.M., at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Council Chamber, 3rd floor, Oakland, California, and via Teleconference.
Three full copies are available for use and examination by the public in the Office of the City Clerk at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 1st floor, Oakland, California.
ASHA REED, City Clerk
New CalAssist Fund Offers
$105M Lifeline ...
Continued from page 7
tims in Los Angeles and beyond, by assisting with mortgage payments to relieve financial pressure and stress as families rebuild and recover.”
To qualify, the home must have been impacted by a disaster that received a State of Emergency or Major Disaster Declaration between January 2023 and January 2025, including events such as the Eaton Fire, Park Fire, and San Diego floods. The California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA) will manage the program, and funds will go directly to mortgage servicers. The grants do not need to be repaid.
The state is also pairing the fund with $25 million in
Gov. Newsom Blasts Rollback of Emergency Abortion Care Protections ...
Continued from page 6
states created uncertainty, and the Trump administration’s dismissal of a key lawsuit against Idaho in March removed federal enforcement in those states.
While the rollback does not change California law, New-
Black Caucus Denounces L.A. County ICE Raids
...
Continued from page 6
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass thanked local law enforcement for keeping the peace in the city.
This is a difficult time for our city. As we recover from an unprecedented natural disaster, many in our community are feeling fear following recent federal immigration enforcement actions across Los Angeles County. Reports of unrest outside the city, including in Paramount, are deeply concerning,” posted Bass on X.
“We’ve been in direct contact with officials in Washington, D.C. and are working closely with law enforcement to find the best path forward. Everyone has the right
housing counseling to help homeowners navigate recovery. “The CalAssist Mortgage Fund will provide more than $100 million in valuable support to help ease the financial pressure survivors face,” said Tomiquia Moss, Secretary of California’s Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.
CalHFA Chief Deputy Director Rebecca Franklin emphasized, “Hard-working families across the state, from Altadena to Chico, deserve relief as they work to recover from these devastating events.”
Homeowners can find eligibility information and apply at CalAssistMortgageFund.org or call 800-501-0019 for assistance. Applications are free and grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
som said it could discourage hospitals and physicians in other states from providing emergency care. States like Idaho, Mississippi, and Oklahoma do not allow abortion as a stabilizing treatment unless a patient’s life is already at risk.
California has taken several steps to expand reproductive protections, including the launch of Abortion.CA.Gov and leadership in the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, a coalition of 23 governors supporting access to abortion care.
to peacefully protest, but let me be clear: violence and destruction are unacceptable, and those responsible will be held accountable,” she added.
On June 9, the Trump administration said it will send 2,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles to quell the anti-ICE protests.
Newsom called the decision “deranged.”
“As the federal government conducts chaotic immigration sweeps across the country, the state is deploying additional CHP to maintain safety on Los Angeles highways to keep the peace,” wrote Newsom in a statement posted on X. “It’s not their job to assist in federal immigration enforcement. The federal government is sowing chaos so they can have an excuse to escalate. That is not the way any civilized country behaves.”
NOTICE AND DIGEST
ORDINANCE AMENDING THE OAKLAND CAMPAIGN REFORM ACT (OAKLAND MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 3, MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, ARTICLE III, CHAPTER 3.12), TO ADD SECTION 3.12.045 TO TEMPORARILY INCREASE CONTRIBUTION LIMITS FOR CANDIDATES AND TO AMEND SECTION 3.12.150 TO INCREASE OFFICEHOLDER FUND LIMITS AND AMENDING THE LIMITED PUBLIC FINANCING ACT OF 2024 (OAKLAND MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 3, MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS, ARTICLE III, CHAPTER 3.13), TO AMEND SECTIONS 3.13.060 AND 3.13.265 TO EXTEND THE LIMITED PUBLIC FINANCING ACT TO APPLY TO 2026 AND 2028 GENERAL ELECTIONS
This Ordinance adds section 3.12.045 to the Oakland Campaign Reform Act, Title 3, Article III, Chapter 3.12 of the Oakland Municipal Code, to temporarily increase the contribution limits set for campaign contributions to candidates and returns to CPI-adjusted limits applicable in 2022 of $900 and $1800 from persons and broad-based political committees, respectively, for all candidates, unless the availability of Democracy Dollars funding meets a certain minimum standard. This Ordinance amends section 3.12.150 to increase officeholder fund limits for District Councilmembers to $75,000 and City-wide offices to $100,000. This Ordinance also amends sections 3.13.060 and 3.13.265 of the Limited Public Financing Act of 2024, Title 3, Article III, Chapter 3.13 of the Oakland Municipal Code to extend the Limited Public Financing Act to apply to 2026 and 2028 general elections.
Notice of Publication
This Ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting, Tuesday afternoon June 3, 2025, and passed to print 7 Ayes; 1 No – Gallo. Final adoption has been scheduled for the City Council meeting Tuesday evening June 17, 2025, 3:30 P.M., at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Council Chamber, 3rd floor, Oakland, California, and via Teleconference.
Three full copies are available for use and examination by the public in the Office of the City Clerk at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 1st floor, Oakland, California.
ASHA REED, City Clerk
Legendary Funk Pioneer Sly Stone
Dies at 82 ...
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Withdrawn from the public eye for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Stone staged occasional comebacks. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1993, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys in 2017, and captured public attention following the 2023 release of his memoir “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”—published under Questlove’s imprint. He also completed a biographical screenplay and was featured in Questlove’s documentary “Sly Lives!” earlier this year.
His influence endured across generations. Critics and historians repeatedly credit him with perfecting funk and creating a “progressive soul,” shaping a path for racial inte-
gration both onstage and in the broader culture.
“Rest in beats Sly Stone,” legendary Public Enemy frontman Chuck D posted on social media with an illustrative drawing of the artist. “We should thank Questlove of the Roots for keeping his fire blazing in this century.”
Emmy-winning entertainment publicist Danny Deraney also paid homage. “Rest easy Sly Stone,” Deraney posted. “You changed music (and me) forever. The time he won over Ed Sullivan’s audience in 1968. Simply magical. Freelance music publicist and Sirius XM host Eric Alper also offered a tribute.
“The funk pioneer who made the world dance, think, and get higher,” Alper wrote of Sly Stone. “His music changed everything—and it still does.” Sly Stone is survived by three children.
NOTICE AND DIGEST
ORDINANCE 1) AUTHORIZING A FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 INCREASE IN THE RATE OF PROPERTY TAX IMPOSED BY VOTER-APPROVED MEASURES; AND 2) FIXING THE RATE OF THE PROPERTY TAX AND LEVYING A TAX ON REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF OAKLAND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26 FOR THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES RETENTION ACT OF 1997 (MEASURE M), THE PARAMEDIC SERVICES ACT OF 1997 (MEASURE N), THE LIBRARY SERVICES RETENTION AND ENHANCEMENT ACT (MEASURE C), THE OAKLAND COMMUNITY VIOLENCE REDUCTION AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE ACT (MEASURE NN), THE 2018 OAKLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESERVATION ACT (MEASURE D), THE 2020 OAKLAND PARKS AND RECREATION PRESERVATION, LITTER REDUCTION, HOMELESSNESS SUPPORT ACT (MEASURE Q), THE CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE OF 2018 (MEASURE AA), THE 2022 OAKLAND ZOO ANIMAL CARE, EDUCATION AND IMPROVEMENT ORDINANCE (MEASURE Y), AND THE WILDFIRE PREVENTION FINANCING ACT OF 2024 (MEASURE MM)
This ordinance would authorize an increase of either 2.8 percent consistent with the Consumer Price Index for the San Francisco Bay Area or 3.6 percent consistent with the change in the California Per Capita Personal Income as determined by California Department of Finance, to the special parcel tax rates imposed in accordance with the voter-approved Emergency Medical Services Retention Act Of 1997 (Measure M), The 1997 Paramedic Services Act (Measure N), The Library Services Retention And Enhancement Act (Measure C), The 2018 Oakland Public Library Preservation Act (Measure D), the 2020 Oakland Parks and Recreation Preservation, Litter Reduction, and Homelessness Support Act (Measure Q), The Children’s Initiative of 2018 (Measure AA), and the 2022 Oakland Zoo Animal Care, Education and Improvement Ordinance (Measure Y),. The increase would be effective July 1, 2025. The ordinance would also authorize the City Council to fix the rates and levy the taxes at the new rates for all referenced tax measures and fix and levy the taxes imposed by the Oakland Community Violence Reduction And Emergency Response Act (Measure NN) and the Wildfire Prevention Financing Act Of 2024 (Measure MM) for fiscal year 2025-26.
Notice of Publication
This Ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting, Tuesday afternoon June 3, 2025, and passed to print 7 Ayes, 1 No - Gallo; Final adoption has been scheduled for the City Council meeting Tuesday evening June 17, 2025, 3:30 P.M. at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Council Chamber, 3rd floor, Oakland, California, and via Teleconference.
Three full copies are available for use and examination by the public in the Office of the City Clerk at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 1st floor, Oakland, California.
ASHA REED, City Clerk
NOTICE AND DIGEST
ORDINANCE AMENDING OAKLAND MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 9.52 SPECIAL EVENT PERMITS TO ADD A LATE FEE FOR TIERS TWO, THREE, AND FOUR SPECIAL EVENT APPLICATIONS
This Ordinance amends Oakland Municipal Code Chapter 9.52, the Special Events Permitting Ordinance, to add a Special Event Late Application Fee of Three Hundred Seventy-Seven Dollars ($377), as proposed to be established and updated by the City’s Master Fee Schedule for Fiscal Year 2025-2026, for Tiers Two, Three, and Four to applications submitted after the established deadlines set forth in Section 9.52.050 to encourage timely submittal of applications.
Notice of Publication
This Ordinance was introduced at the City Council meeting, Tuesday afternoon June 3, 2025, and passed to print 8 Ayes; Final adoption has been scheduled for the City Council meeting Tuesday evening June 17, 2025, 3:30 P.M., at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Council Chamber, 3rd floor, Oakland, California, and via Teleconference.
Three full copies are available for use and examination by the public in the Office of the City Clerk at One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, 1st floor, Oakland, California.
ASHA REED, City Clerk
flaws in the probate system, blatant disregard for due process, and the wishes of the ancestors. Judge Sandra Bean’s ruling reflects a repeated outcome seen in Black and Brown communities.
Zakiya Folami Jendayi, beneficiary of Head’s estate, states that “The errors, ranging from misstatements of fact, omissions of critical evidence, and reliance on false arguments and testimony, formed the basis of Judge Sandra K. Bean’s ruling against me, Dr. Head’s previous student, mentee, sorority sister and long-time friend,and despite the fact that I was her chosen power of attorney, Advanced Healthcare Directive agent, trustee, executor and sole beneficiary.”
Reading court transcripts, the most egregious violations according to Jendayi reveal a pivotal point in the ruling that rested on a letter from Dr. Stephan Sarafian of Kaiser Permanent, who misidentified Dr. Head as male, misstated the day, month, and year, and asserted Head lacked capacity.
Under cross-examination he reversed his opinion and admitted under oath that he never conducted a mental evaluation, did not diagnose Dr. Head with incapacity, did not write the letter, and stated he merely signed it “in case it was needed in the future.”
Despite Sarafian’s perjury, on Oct. 17, 2024, the California Court of Appeal upheld the lower court decision that relied on Sarafian’s discredited letter to invalidate Dr. Head’s estate plan, ignored Jendayi’s requests to impeach his testimony and dismiss Sarafian’s testimony and letter that both the Kaiser Grievance Department and the Medical Board of California denounced.
In her ruling, Judge Bean agreed with the false argument by attorney Leahy, which alleged that Jendayi provided the names of the beneficiaries to Head’s estate at-
torney, Elaine Lee. Bean made this decision despite Lee’s sworn testimony that Dr. Head had met with her alone, behind closed doors, and made the independent decision to leave her estate to Jendayi.
According to court records, Judge Bean reversed the burden of proof in the undue influence claim before any of Jendayi’s witnesses testified, forcing Jendayi to disprove allegations that were never substantiated by witnesses or records.
Bean ruled: “Respondent took Dr. Head to her apartment where she assumed complete control of Dr. Head’s day-to-day care, medical care, and all aspects of her life.” Jendayi proved that statement was false.
Bean also ruled that Respondent controlled Dr. Head’s necessities of life, food, and hospice care, despite zero testimony or documentation supporting any of those claims.
The court reduced Jendayi’s role to “a friend who, at best, cared for Dr. Head during the final two months,” totally ignoring 28 years of friendship, testimony, evidence, letters of recommendation, emails, and medical records.
Exhibits confirming Dr. Head’s intent and capacity, including the discredited medical letter, Exhibit 90, were omitted or misrepresented in the judge’s final decision.
Jendayi’s says, “The injustice within the probate justice system is devastating, traumatizing and financially depleting. It’s nothing short of legalized crime!”
Jendayi is now appealing to the Supreme Court of the U.S. with a petition citing denial of due process, judicial misconduct, and systemic bias in probate courts.
safety goals by paving a responsible path to reach 700 sworn officers as voters approved in Measure NN, prioritizing Ceasefire and the Department of Violence Prevention and funds vegetation-management crews in high-fire zones — advancing Point 3 on supporting fire services through this budget,” she continued.
“In addition, the budget delivers on good-governance priorities from the plan — empowering charter modernization and contract audits (Points 9 and 10) — and provides targeted tax relief and permitting streamlining to help small businesses (Point 7),” she said. “I also want to thank the Council for including $3 million in funds for business incentives, another $1 million for economic activation zones, and an additional $1 million for community safety ambassadors in business corridors across the city.
“Even with the budget challenges, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” Lee said.
The city was facing a $245 million revenue shortfall, which threatened employee layoffs and possible closures of fire stations.
“I’m feeling really good about this budget,” said Deborah Edgerly, a financial consultant hired by the city in February, speaking at Wednesday’s Council meeting. “And I haven’t felt good about a lot of budgets” over a previous two-decade career working in Oakland’s
government, she said.
Though the budget protects key programs, the City will have to make do with reduced funding for the homeless, as well as for arts and culture and social service programs.
The vote on the budget was 6-1, with Carroll Fife excused. Noel Gallo, the one opposing vote, had wanted to see more law enforcement to respond to violence in East Oakland.
The budget will also eliminate one of the Oakland Police Department’s three yearly training academies, which was supposed to occur in 2026-27. Though academies are an important source of OPD hiring, they frequently have low enrollment, graduating only 12 recruits in the most recent class.
The City Council Budget Team, comprising Councilmember Janani Ramachandran (District 4), Councilmember Rowena Brown (AtLarge), Councilmembers Zac Unger, (District 1) and Charlene Wang (District 2), had proposed budget amendments and policy directives.
The proposed amendments found sources of funding to keep all 25 City fire stations open (reversing one that was to be closed temporarily), improving police staffing levels, tackling illegal dumping, strengthening housing security and homelessness services, incentivizing business development, and restoring public trust through greater transparency and accountability.
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say, ‘Enough!’ We must keep organizing and demand that ICE and our government respect the rights of all people and uphold the principle of due process,” said Andrés Pomart with Trabajadores Unidos Workers United.
“We know that when we organize, we win. That’s why our communities – Black, Brown, and working-class – are coming together to support each other in solidarity. Together, as immigrant communities and as a united work-
for my son; it became something that any and everyone could utilize on their separate journeys through life challenges that we encounter. The book helped me put my thoughts, reasoning, perceptions, and views on display, while opening doors that, for the most part, were closed. The book, “Learning Life Lessons” can be purchased via Amazon, or via rjwembe. wixsite.com.
About the Author
Richard “Razor” Johnson, 74, is a man whose life journey is marked by hard-earned wisdom, redemption, and an unshakable commitment to guiding the next generation. Once sentenced to life under California’s Three Strikes Law, he was released through what he calls nothing short of divine intervention. His time behind bars, particularly in Pelican Bay State Prison, gave him a new raw and unfiltered understanding of life’s hardest truths.
With the realization that time is precious and the future is shaped by the lessons we learn, Richard writes with urgency and purpose. His book—a 300-page labor of love—is dedicated to young men who may not have a father to teach them the meaning of life’s most important words. Through definitions filled with wisdom, experience, and deep personal insight, he offers direction to those who find themselves lost, just as he once was. Since his release over five years
ing class, we will not be divided nor intimidated nor live in fear,” Pomart said.
“Immigrant communities — yes, our immigrant communities — are the heartbeat of Oakland, enriching our neighborhoods with diverse cultures, languages and experience, and deserve the quality of life that every human being deserves. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. “Your city remains committed to protecting our immigrant neighbors,” said Mayor Lee.
The District Plan
The Park District is creating our next District Plan, a high-level document to guide the Park District into its next century. It provides a strategic roadmap with key priorities to move toward the vision of an extraordinary and wellmanaged system of open space parkland in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
More Than 500 Join Interfaith Rally in Solidarity with L.A. ... Continued from page 1
ago, Richard has committed himself to making a difference, particularly by reaching out to women and families who lack the presence of a father or husband. He knows he cannot undo the years lost behind prison walls, but he is determined to use his past to build a better future for others. His story mirrors that of many who have walked a similar path, yet it remains uniquely his own – a testament to the power of change, resilience, and the belief that even from tragedy, something good can emerge. His words are not just lessons; they are a call to action. He hopes that by investing in young minds with wisdom and insight, they will be better equipped to survive the trials of life, learn from mistakes, and find their own path to success. Richard “Razor” Johnson writes not just to be heard, but to help –because he knows firsthand that sometimes, guidance can make all the difference. Post publishers Paul and Gay Cobb visited Johnson in San Quentin and attended his graduation while he was in prison. He became a columnist with the Post News Group and has continued his advocacy for the formerly incarcerated by urging them to “give something back”. Johnson says he will be speaking at prisons, colleges and media outlets to help organize voter registration and community service projects.
Groups Organize to Defend Immigrants Legal Rights ...
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these systems to create an environment for our communities to work, organize, and thrive with happiness and without fear.”
Countering ICE activity in Southern California, groups such as Unión del Barrio, an organization advocating for immigrant rights and social justice, have helped train community members on their legal rights, how to spot federal immigration officers, and alert local residents to their presence using social media.
time and pick up the best qualities of the Chicano movement of the ’60s and ’70s, while also analyzing its mistakes and overcoming its limitations,” according to Harry Simón Salazar, a national leader of Unión del Barrio.
President Donald Trump and his administration are responding by looking for outsiders to blame for causing the protests, which they dismiss as riots, rather than protected First Amendment rights.
“When Trump’s armed goons come for our families and communities, when they trample on our shared values of freedom and opportunity, when they make a mockery of our rights to due process, we are called to step up for our neighbors,” said Supervisor Bas. “This is not just an immigration story. It’s a story about who we are — and how we respond when our neighbors are under attack and when the president of the United States abuses his powers. When they come for one of us, they come for all of us.”
Said Kampala Taiz-Rancifer, the Oakland teachers’ union president, “It is time for us to say, ‘Not in our city.’ We will stop, we will block, we will drive out ICE. We will protect our classrooms. We will protect our streets. We will protect our homes. Together, we rise for the dignity of our families and our right to live without fear.”
“I feel that the president and the current administration is grossly overstepping and abusing their power,” Rabbi Chai Levy, speaking to KQED. “I feel that, as a religious person, communities of faith need to show up and stand in solidarity with immigrants who are threatened and afraid. “It’s important to show up as people of conscience and morality and say that we’re against what our government is doing.”
The vigil was hosted by Bay Resistance, and co-sponsoring organizations included the Alameda Labor Council, Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), Faith in Action East Bay, Restore Oakland, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (EBASE), Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Oakland Rising, Faith Alliance for a Moral Economy, SEIU Local 1021, Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), SEIU United Service Workers West, Jewish Voice for Peace Bay Area, Jobs with Justice San Francisco, Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, Urban Peace Movement, and Trabajadores Unidos Workers United.
“We’re not violent, we’re not trying to break any laws, but we’re doing everything within our legal means to protect the community,” said Ron Gochez, a member of Unión del Barrio, speaking to the L.A. Times in February.
The organization has been working with communities for decades, including immigration sweeps in the 1990s and during the Obama administration. Participants are volunteers who patrol neighborhoods for potential raids.
According to its website, the Unión del Barrio is an “independent political organization operating with a volunteer membership base and entirely self-financed through membership dues, community contributions, and local fundraising. We have dedicated ourselves to struggle on behalf of “la raza” living within the current borders of the United States.”
For years, the group has organized volunteer community patrols that track and warn of Border Patrol and ICE immigration raids, to avoid mass arrests and deportations in the region.
“(The group) was originally founded … to prioritize a multi-issue, Barrio-based organization that would be able to do multiple types of community work at the same
Flashing back to 1950s-style Red Scare defamation of democratic community voices, federal authorities have resurrected “outside agitator” rhetoric that was popular with Southern Jim Crow officials in past decades.
An article in the Dallas Express was headlined: “FBI Probes Deep-Pocketed Leftist Groups Behind Los Angeles Anti-ICE Riots,” comparing the L.A. protests to the massive nationwide demonstrations in the wake of the killing of George Floyd in 2020.
The article blames Service Employees International Union, whose statewide president was arrested last week while observing an ICE raid, saying, “Well-funded activists and a coordinated social media campaign helped spark the pro-illegal migrant protests...”
“The FBI is investigating any and all monetary connections responsible for these riots,” according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
Other groups blamed for instigating the Southern California protests included Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Coalition for Humane Immigration Rights (CHIRLA), the 50501 Movement (whose website asks people to join the fight “to uphold the Constitution and end executive overreach,” the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), and Unión del Barrio.
Lee Works Cooperatively with Council ...
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Our budget comes in response to the widespread and consistent calls from across Oakland’s diverse communities asking us to prioritize funding solutions to the issues that have most directly impacted our residents’ safety and quality of life.
Our priorities are also inspired by our belief that Oakland is on the way not only to financial recovery, but also to global recognition.
Oakland can attract and preserve businesses of all sizes with safer, cleaner streets. We can and will have more large-scale festivals that celebrate our culture, concerts that uplift our incredible local musicians, conferences that attract patrons from across the world, and award-winning restaurants that top national charts. We are on our way to rebuilding a thriving economy and having a cultural renaissance will create more jobs for Oaklanders while also generating more revenue for the City through sales
and business taxes.
I am grateful for the close partnership with our new Mayor Barbara Lee, and know that she shares our values of ensuring we are prioritizing keeping Oakland’s residents safe, our streets clean, and our businesses prosperous in an open and fiscally responsible manner. I am also thankful to our City Administrator Jestin Johnson and former Interim Mayor Kevin Jenkins’ efforts to produce the initial proposal that our Council budget team used as a starting point for our amendments – and for their shared commitment to transparency and ethical government. I am especially grateful for every resident that took the time to make their voice heard throughout this rigorous budget process. I have no doubt that we are on the verge of true change, and that together we will bring Oakland back to being the world-class city I know it can be.
