Oakland Post
Bay Area Leaders and Community Unite Against Federal ICE Deployment
Hundreds protest federal agents stationed at Coast Guard Island in Alameda
Mayor Barbara Lee today convened a press conference at Oakland City Hall, joined by Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, State Senator Jesse Arreguín, Assemblymembers Mia Bonta, Buffy Wicks and Liz Ortega, District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson, Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, members of Oakland’s City Council, Assistant Chief James Beere and Deputy Chief Casey Johnson
Allen Temple Baptist Church, and Pastor Michael McBride of Live Free USA.
By Ken Epstein
Jr.Way Meets Bobby Seale Way at 57th Street
By Post Staff
William ‘Bill’ Patterson, widely known as “an unwavering champion for Oakland’s children and families,” for many years, died this week at the age of 94.
Shortly following his passing on Tuesday, Oct. 21, Mayor Barbara Lee issued a statement emphasizing her deep friendship and respect for Patterson and honoring his decades of dedication to the city he called home.
city’s future.” Patterson’s life was an outstanding model of commitment to public service, according to many people who knew and worked with him.
Over the years, he ran 23 recreation centers in Oakland and oversaw the Oakland Zoo at Knowland Park and Lake Merritt, as well as Children’s Fairyland and the Kaiser Convention Center.
As the White House publicly targeted Bay Area cities for federal deployment, Mayor Barbara Lee, joining with city and county leaders and community partners, held a media briefing Thursday morning to address Oakland residents with unity, concrete action and commitment to protect the vulnerable and the democratic rights of all residents.
By Carla Thomas
Black women and families continue to face some of the most persistent health inequities, from disproportionate maternal mortality rates to barriers in accessing mental health and chronic care support.
At the Sept. 30, Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) Power Up Advocacy Masterclass Series that convened community leaders, policy advocates, and healthcare experts, the gathering examined health disparities and charted collective paths toward health justice.
Participants were asked to push for state-level funding to expand culturally rooted health programs,
Though President Trump told San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie in a phone call that he had called off the deployment, more than 100
“Bill was a close friend, a mentor, and an unwavering champion for Oakland’s children and families. When I was sworn in as Oakland’s Mayor at City Hall, it was Bill who held my grandfather’s Bible – a moment that symbolized our deep personal bond, and his role as a steady hand guiding this
He was a founding director of the Peralta Colleges Foundation; a board member of the Urban Strategies Council; an adviser to Lionel Wilson, Oakland’s first African American mayor; and a mentor to generations of community leaders and athletes.
Patterson served for nearly
training more Black physicians and mental health professionals, and integrating wellness initiatives at the community level.
The session, themed "Health Justice is Policy Justice," brought together a panel of experts who underscored how systemic policies created deep inequities in medical education, access, and care delivery for African American communities. The discussion highlighted both historical drivers of those inequities and ongoing community-led solutions.
Panelists included Public Health Educator and Policy Analyst Dr. Josephine Appiah, PhD, Psychiatrist and Community Activist Dr. Venise C. Curry, M.D., Roots Community Health founder and CEO Dr. Noha Aboelata, M.D., and Myeshia Jefferson, founder of My De Wellness and longtime health equity advocate.
The virtual conversation via Zoom was guided by moderator Dr. Shakari Byerly, PhD, Managing Partner at Evitarus. Byerly's questions helped surface both policy challenges and practical strategies for advocacy. BWOPA Executive Director LaNiece Jones opened the evening by urging
10 Continued
State Judge Rejects Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong’s
former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong, who had sued last year alleging the City of Oakland and then-
Mayor Sheng Thao had fired him in February 2023 in retaliation for speaking out against Robert Warshaw, the federal monitor who oversees the police department,
Special to the Post
The Reverend Michael W. Wallace, Senior Pastor of the historic Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, California, was inducted into the prestigious Morehouse College Martin Luther King, Jr. International Board of Preachers on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025. The historic 40th Annual Induction Ceremony was held in Atlanta, Georgie, at Morehouse College and honors distinguished clergy and lay leaders who reflect the prophetic witness, moral courage and unwavering commitment to justice.
Pastor Wallace said, “I was truly honored, humbled and in disbelief. I shared this honor with
my family and I thank God for allowing me to be about service. For the work of Jesus and Justice does not receive much recognition nor requires accolades — its really about commitment, conviction, compassion and courage bathed in love.”
The Martin Luther King Jr. College of Ministers and Laity was established in 1985 by Dr. Lawrence Edward Carter Sr., dean of Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel. It is intended to honor individuals whose work exemplifies the ethical ideals of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Board of Preachers comprises ordained clergy from the Christian tradition as well as an interdenominational group of faith leaders who promote healing, reconciliation, nonviolence, moral cosmopolitan social progress, agapeic justice and care for the ecosystem.
Pastor Wallace has guided Mount Zion for 17 years in a plethora of ministries and services that benefit and meet the needs of the congregation and community at large. Pastor Wallace, a social justice activist and state-wide community organizer, said he uses his voice to address the adverse so-
Courtesy photo.
Department,
Education Partnership (ACILEP), Nancy Wong of Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach, David Padilla of SEIU Local 1021, Rev. Dr. Jackie Thompson of
Former Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong. Courtesy of KQED.
Demonstrators protest federal agents at Oakland entrance to Coast Guard Island in Alameda. Photo courtesy of Forest Schmidt, Facebook.
Left to right: Marcus King, ceremony organizer; Mayor Barbara Lee; Post Publisher Paul Cobb and Bobby Seale. Photo by Gay Plair Cobb.
Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) logo. Courtesy image.
California Joins 14-State
Alliance
see page 6 Taste of Soul Marks 20 Years with Food, Culture, Politics — and a New Honor for Founder Danny Bakewell Sr. ... see page 6
Bill Patterson. Courtesy photo. Bill Patterson, left, holds a Bible that belonged to Barbara Lee’s grandfather when she was sworn in as mayor at Oakland City Hall on May 20. Photo by Martin do Nascimento/KQED.
By Solomon O. Smith California Black Media
Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in Los Angeles on Oct. 18 for the ‘No Kings’ rally, a march occurring simultaneously in cities across California — and in all 50 states. Organizers say the protests were organized in opposition to what they say is the growing authoritarianism of the Trump administration.
Beginning at 2 p.m., the Los Angeles protest distinguished itself from typical political demonstrations. While addressing serious issues, the march carried the festive energy of a carnival or block party.
In inflatable costumes, frog masks and elaborate outfits, people carrying American flags marched through Gloria Molina Grand Park. The playful attire reflected the tone of a peaceful protest — a stark contrast to House Speaker Mike Johnson’s characterization of the event as a
“hate America rally,” according to CNN.
One costumed supporter, Nikki Hoobler, explained why she wore her inflatable suit.
“It proves the point, this is a fun protest,” said Hoobler. “It fights their narrative.”
One of the largest No Kings Day protests in the country happened in San Francisco, where an estimated 50,000 protesters marched peacefully down Market Street and rallied at Civic Center Plaza. The rally featured musician Joan Baez, political activist and educator, Angela Davis and LGBTQ-rights activist, Honey Mahogany, along with union leaders. This was the second "No Kings Day," organized by the citizens action group, Indivisible, to protest what are seen as increasingly authoritarian policies of the Trump administration."
Across California, more than 300 protests took place.
A crowdsourced study by the Atlanta newsroom The Xylom
By Carolyn Jones CalMatters
California took a big step toward overhauling its reading curriculum last week when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill pushing for phonics-based instruction in elementary and middle school classrooms.
The new law provides training for school principals and reading specialists in the “science of reading,” a method of literacy instruction focused on vocabulary, comprehension and sounding words out rather than learning words by sight. The approach has led to improved reading scores in Mississippi, Louisiana, and districts like Los Angeles Unified, which adopted it several years ago.
The law also updates the state’s list of textbooks, flash cards and other classroom reading materials to align with a phonics-based approach.
The law comes on the heels of a host of other literacy initiatives, including mandatory dyslexia screening and universal transitional kindergarten. Combined, the efforts will dramatically reshape the way children in California learn to read and hopefully lead to higher test
scores, experts said.
“California has one of the best literacy policy frameworks in the country right now,” said Marshall Tuck, chief executive of the advocacy group EdVoice and a former candidate for state superintendent of public instruction. “We worked very hard on this and we’re thrilled to get to this point. Now we just have to see it through.”
After years of controversy, little opposition
The new law passed the Legislature unanimously and had little opposition. That’s in stark contrast to previous efforts to bring phonics to classrooms, which met steep resistance from English-learner advocates and the state’s largest teachers’ union.
English-learner groups said that a phonics-based approach only works for children who are fluent in English; the California Teachers Association said teachers need flexibility to pick a reading program that works for their students.
But those groups threw their support behind the current bill after a few changes: Reading materials will be available in languages other than English, and using phonics-
estimated that between 4.2 million and 7 million people participated nationwide. In downtown Los Angeles alone, thousands gathered, with roughly 30 rallies in Los Angeles County and 300 across the state, according to Hunter Dunn, press and public relations director for California’s 50501 SoCal, the organization behind the events.
Before the protests, the city attorney’s office asked that an injunction on using excessive force against journalists be lifted.
The Los Angeles City Council voted unanimously to withdraw the request, according to an article by Los Angeles Public Press.
Across California, a prominent point was support for Proposition 50, the Nov. ballot initiative that would temporarily redraw California’s congressional districts to favor Democrats in the 2026 U.S. House midterm elections.
Supporters of the proposal
based instruction will be optional, not mandatory. Although the state is pushing all schools to adopt the new approach, some may choose to stay with their existing curriculum, which is permissible under the state’s school governance system that leaves most decisions up to local school boards.
“What does this all mean? It means we’ll see,” said Todd Collins, an organizer of the California Reading Coalition and former Palo Alto Unified school board member. “But I’m hopeful. I think most school districts will get the message that they need to improve early literacy.”
Scores inching up
Collins’ group surveyed 300 California school districts in 2022 and found that 80% were not using a phonics-based approach to reading instruction. That’s changing, with some of the state’s largest districts adopting science-of-reading strategies and seeing good results. Los Angeles Unified, for example, saw its English language arts test scores jump 5.5 percentage points since it adopted a phonics-based curriculum in 2022. San Francisco Unified, Fresno Unified and Long Beach Unified have also seen improvements.
California’s reading scores are about the same as the national average, according to the latest Nation’s Report Card scores, and have been inching up since the pandemic. Last year, 49% of students met or exceeded the state’s English language arts standards -- still below pre-pandemic levels but a big increase from the previous year.
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1269 into law on Oct. 13.
Also known as “Wakiesha’s Law,” the legislation, authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights), requires county and city jails to promptly notify families when an incarcerated individual is seriously hospitalized or dies while in custody.
“If your loved one died in custody, you have the right to know, and you deserve to know,” Bryan told members of the Assembly Public Safety committee in April.
In March 2016, 36-year-old Wakiesha Wilson was found unresponsive in her cell at the Los Angeles Police Department Metropolitan Detention Center. She was later pronounced dead. Her family was not notified for four days, forcing them to contact the coroner's office themselves.
Bryan created the bill to increase transparency and accountability for law enforcement authorities in cases like Wilson's. It ensures that families are promptly informed when a loved one dies in custody, providing what supporters call "basic decency and respect".
An LAPD report noted five
in-custody deaths in 2023, a 400% increase from the one death reported in 2022, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.
In 2018, an investigation by the Los Angeles Times found that 19 people died in LAPD jails between 2012 and 2016, and at least 102 attempted suicide during these five years. As of July 15 of this year, 26 people had died in LA County jails, the secondmost deaths to date of any year on record, the Vera Institute of Justice (VIJ) reported.
Founded in 1961, VIJ advocates for ending the criminalization and mass incarceration of people
Continued on page 6
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
A new analysis from the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) shows that California’s universal financial aid application policy has led to higher college enrollment — with Black, lowincome, and first-generation students seeing some of the greatest gains.
Implemented during the 2022–23 school year, the policy requires every public high school district to ensure that graduating seniors complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), unless they opt out. The goal is to make more students aware of financial aid opportunities and reduce cost as a barrier to college attendance. According to the PPIC report,
the share of high school seniors completing financial aid forms rose from 52% to 62% statewide, resulting in roughly 42,000 more applications. “California’s universal financial aid application policy shows clear promise in improving access to college,” the report stated.
The study found that Black and Latino students had the largest increases in completion rates. “Students from schools serving higher shares of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented minority students benefited the most from the new requirement,” the researchers highlighted.
As more applications were submitted, eligibility for need-based aid also climbed, increasing by 7 percentage points for Pell Grants and 4 percentage points for Cal Grants. The overall college-go-
ing rate rose by about 0.3 percentage points, equivalent to roughly 1,500 additional students enrolling, with community colleges seeing the largest gains.
“Even modest increases in enrollment represent meaningful progress toward closing racial and economic equity gaps,” the PPIC report noted, adding that continued outreach and student support will be crucial to sustaining progress.
Researchers concluded that while it is too soon to measure long-term outcomes, the early data suggest that California’s approach could serve as a national model for increasing college access. They urged state leaders to keep expanding assistance programs that help students complete aid applications and navigate the transition to college.
Stephanie Jeffcoat, at the microphone, shares her support for AB 1269, ‘Wakiesha’s Law,’ at the Assembly Public Safety Committee hearing at the State Capitol on April 8. Seated left to right are Asm. Issac Bryan
(D-Ladera Heights) author of the bill; Melina Abdullah, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles (BLMLA); Lisa Hines, mother of Wakiesha Wilson; and Sheila Bates, BLMLA organizer and Policy Team member. CBM photos by Antonio Ray Harvey.
iStock image by nicoletaionescu.
(Left) Longtime activist Angela Davis spoke at the ‘No Kings’ rally in San Francisco on Oct. 18. Photo by Linda Parker Pennington. (Right) Taking a break from protesting are (left to right) Eldoris Cameron, Barbara Wilson and Linda Parker Pennington. Courtesy photo.
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Practitioners of African Traditional Spirituality Offer 6th Annual Ancestral Reverence Ritual Oct. 31
MacArthur Fellow Dorothy Roberts’ Advocates Restructure of Child Welfare System
erts is excerpted from the MacArthur Fellows web site.
Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty 1997)”, she
A Win for Asm. Isaac Bryan: Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Increasing Incarcerated Firefighters’ Pay
of norms.
state intervention and the results of those interventions.
Special to The Post
The Council for Global Ancestral Reverence, (CGAR) a group elders who practice African traditional spirituality, will lead a nineday offering of prayer appealing to their blessed ancestors from Oct. 31-Nov. 8.
Called ‘Ancestral Souls Rising,’ the prayers will be led by the councilmembers and 21 priests in many parts of the African diaspora: Africa, Portugal, across the U.S. from Maryland to the Bay Area.
Now in its sixth year, the annual ritual began during the 2020 pandemic when hundreds of thousands of people died alone and were buried in mass graves without rites and rituals according to loved ones’ traditions. This prayer
five-year period to spend as they
event was and is intended to give peace to the departed and comfort for the living who still mourn.
In ensuing years, CGAR added themes to the prayer gathering that referenced current events. In 2024, before the consequential presidential election, CGAR called on people to vote, invoking the memory of Civil Rights Movement heroes and sheroes like John Lewis who urged “Good Trouble” and Fannie Lou Hamer who famously declared that she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”
This year, inspired by “Boots of The Ground,” the Council supports what appears to be a sense of solidarity in the Black community.
Through the ritual, modeled
on one created by the elder priests of Oyotunji Village in South Carolina who composed a view of the of the Nine Layers of the Soul, the trauma and grief experienced by people of African descent can be identified and healed. Those layers are: Universal, Racial, Sexual, Historical, National, Ancestral
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.
On the first day of the ritual, practitioners will share images from their altars, pour libations and pray in the languages of their forbears — Yoruba, Edo, Fon and Haitian Kryole — as well as English. On the remaining days of the ritual, prayers will address themes addressing the souls.
“Our elders have, for many generations, known the power of prayer, ritual and breath,” the Council said in a statement.
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
It was and is their intention, then, to use the cultural wisdom, the gift of prayer “and the most sacred thing we have, our breath, to send energy into the world that invokes and honors our ancestors,” the council statement continued.
“Doing this creates a vibration that protects us and employs their ancient wisdom for the well-being of our communities,” the elders said.
The councilmembers, all over the age of 60, recognize that what is now history for so many was once their lived experience. And that history, those joys and sorrows, are now in their bodies.
To them, the uttered prayer and the sacred breath are oaths to an unfolding future that people still have some ability to shape.
The members of the council are Dr. Iyabeji Cathy Royal and Iyalocha Jennifer Dillard (Maryland), Ohen Nedra T. William and Iyalocha Wanda Ravernell-Stewart (Oakland).
This year, they also encourage everyone within their reach to vote because it is not only a secular and political act, but a sacred one because our ancestors who were denied and died for that right.
For tickets, go to: https:// www.eventbrite.com/e/councilfor-global-ancestral-reverencepresents-ancestral-souls-rising25-tickets-1774850879759
of color in the U.S. child welfare system.
By Bo Tefu
California Black Media
white children to be removed from their families after CPS referral.
She also shows that blaming tural problems, while ignoring the historical roots of economic and social inequality, fails families and
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
In “Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families—and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World (2022),”
California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) scored a major legislative win on Oct. 13 when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 247, a measure guaranteeing higher pay for incarcerated firefighters who risk their lives on the front lines of the state’s wildfires.
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
The new law raises wages for inmates serving as firefighters from as little as $5 a day to at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, marking a historic shift that advocates say recognizes the dignity of their work and the dangers they face. The law also requires that wages be reviewed annually to ensure fairness over time.
grained oppressive features of the tirely 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.
For years, California has relied on incarcerated crews to help battle
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 equitable and responsive ways to ensure child and family safety.
Ancestral Reverence photo.A montage of the members of the Council for Global Ancestral Reverence with their families. Top row, center: Dr. Cathy Royal. Middle row: Iya Jennifer Dillard, left, and Ohen Nedra Williams. Bottom row, center: Iya Wanda Ravernell. Courtesy image.
Special to The Post
Oct. 1,
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 artists a poet/writer, histo rian, and dancer/choreographer who each receive $800,000 over
min, Jericho Brown, Tony Cokes, olds, and Dorothy Roberts. This is the eighth and last in the series highlighting the Black awardees.
Dorothy Roberts. Photo courtesy of the John D. and Catherine T. Ma cArthur Foundation.
California Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) poses with a group of incarcerated firefighters on the floor of the California State Assembly in Sacramento.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
Solomon Brown: The Smithsonian’s First African American Employee and a Pioneer of Knowledge
By Tamara Shiloh
Solomon G. Brown’s story is one of quiet brilliance and a firm belief in education. Born into slavery in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 14, 1829, Brown’s life would become a remarkable journey from slavery to becoming one of the most respected figures in early American science and education.
After being freed as a child, Brown began working for the U.S. Patent Office, where he first encountered the fascinating world of invention and technology. There, he assisted the renowned scientist Joseph Henry, who later became the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. Brown’s work ethic and intellect quickly set him apart, and when the Smithsonian opened its doors in 1852, he was hired — becoming the very first African American employee of the institution.
Gov. Newsom Signs Bill Increasing Incarcerated Firefighters Pay ...
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(CDCR).
“This is a historic and momentous day,” said Bryan. “The governor signing the bill is an incredibly powerful reminder that all labor is dignified and anybody who is willing to put their lives on the line deserves our gratitude.”
The bill’s original proposal included a wage of up to $19 per hour for individual hand crew members, but the amount was later reduced through negotiation to the federal minimum wage.
No Kings Protesters Push Back on Trump Admin Policies
...
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say it is being pursued in response to gerrymandering efforts in Texas designed to create more Republican-friendly districts before the midterm elections.
At the rally, Black Lives Matter supporters, Democratic Socialists of America, and the United Teachers Los Angeles were just a few organizations with vendor tables or handing out pamphlets — all asking for support of Prop. 50.
Black political leaders were prominent speakers at the No Kings protests across the country.
In Los Angeles, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) spoke about fighting oppression.
“We are tired of starving while the federal government continues to give handouts to billionaires and corporations,” said Bryan.
“And that's why we're showing
Gov. Newsom Signs ‘Wakiesha’s Law’ ...
At the Smithsonian, his talents glowed in many roles. He worked as a clerk, model maker, and skilled illustrator, producing detailed diagrams and scientific drawings that helped communicate complex ideas. Though he never received for-
Continued on page 7
In addition to AB 247, Newsom signed several related measures expanding benefits for incarcerated firefighters. They include new pathways for record expungement and resentencing, a permanent youth wildfire camp training program, and a $50,000 death benefit for any incarcerated firefighter who dies in the line of duty.
Supporters called the new law a milestone for criminal justice reform and labor equity in California, saying it strengthens rehabilitation opportunities while honoring the service of inmates who help protect the state from devastating wildfires.
up and we're marching, because Washington, D.C. doesn't care about us. And we know that.”
Melina Abdullah, a founding member of Black Lives Matter Grassroots, and a professor and activist participated, too.
Educator and principal of Armstrong Middle School, Lester Powell, was at the protest with his son, Alex. Powell has a doctorate in education and goes to protests in support of his students who he says are newly “invigorated” and ready to get involved.
Sylvia Coleman is from Belize but has just become a naturalized U.S. citizen. Coleman says she participated because she believes that people should stand up for those who cannot defend themselves.
“I have choices, I have a home that I can go back to, but my husband and son are here,” said Coleman. “It’s important that I stand up for people who do not have the same choices.”
Linda Parker Pennington contributed to this report.
many open questions,” the CSSA stated in the Assembly Bill Policy Committee Analysis.
California Joins 14-State Public Health Alliance
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
On Oct. 15, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state is joining a new 14-state coalition dedicated to protecting public health from political interference and promoting science-based decision-making.
The Governors Public Health Alliance will bring together a bipartisan group of governors from across the country to strengthen emergency preparedness, share data, and coordinate rapid responses to health threats. The effort aims to reinforce trust in science and ensure states can act swiftly and consistently when new challenges arise.
“California is proud to help launch this new alliance because the American people deserve a public health system that puts science before politics,” Newsom said in a statement. “As extremists try to weaponize the CDC and spread misinformation, we’re stepping up to coordinate across states, protect communities, and ensure decisions are driven by data, facts, and the health of the American people.”
The alliance includes governors Bob Ferguson of Washington, Josh Green of Hawaii, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Kathy
Continued from page 2 Achebe Chinua Thomas, 53
of color, immigrants, and people experiencing poverty.
“Overcrowding and staff prone to both negligence and flagrant mistreatment towards incarcerated people have continued to make (LA’s Main Central Jail) MCJ, and the county jail system at large, a dangerous, even fatal, place to be,” stated Michelle Parris, director of the Vera California initiative.
The California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA) opposed AB 1269, claiming that it understands “the desire to facilitate contact with loved ones when an incarcerated person becomes seriously ill,” but the bill “leaves
The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office released a 24-page document stating that neither the LAPD nor the nurses and physicians who rendered medical help were “criminally liable for Ms. Wilson’s death.”
“It is the conclusion of this office that the manner of Wakiesha Wilson’s death was a suicide,” the memorandum stated.
Wilson’s mother, Lisa Hines, also testified before the Assembly Public Safety committee, chaired by Assemblymember Nick Schultz (D-Burbank), recounting the painful experience of searching for her daughter.
“It was the longest four days of my life,” Hines said.
Hochul of New York, Tina Kotek of Oregon, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Lou Leon Guerrero of Guam, Dan McKee of Rhode Island, Matt Meyer of Delaware, Wes Moore of Maryland, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Jared Polis of Colorado, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Josh Stein of North Carolina.
According to Newsom’s office, the new coalition builds on regional partnerships such as the West Coast Health Alliance. The goal is to improve communication between states and help them collaborate on data sharing, health equity, and crisis readiness, according to the governor’s office.
The alliance is supported by GovAct, a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that helps governors address complex policy issues through cross-state collaboration. GovAct’s Bipartisan Advisory Board includes former governors from both parties and former senior federal officials, emphasizing the coalition’s nonpartisan approach.
Supporters say the partnership reflects a renewed commitment to keeping science at the center of public health policy, ensuring states can better protect residents during future pandemics, natural disasters, and other emergencies.
California Takes Major Steps to Improve Emergency Preparedness
By Bo Tefu California Black Media
California is strengthening its emergency preparedness infrastructure and public readiness programs.
On Oct. 16, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new regional emergency services facility in Southern California the same week the state held its annual earthquake drill.
The state-of-the-art facility, expected to be completed by late 2027, will house advanced communications systems, training areas, and rapid-response resources to help coordinate disaster response across local, state, and federal agencies.
Newsom’s announcement coincided with the 2025 Great California ShakeOut, also held on Oct. 16, when millions of Californians practiced the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” technique to prepare for earthquakes.
“California faces a wide range of emergency threats, from earthquakes to wildfires,” said Newsom. “This new facility will help ensure our communities are protected, and our first responders are fully equipped to act when every
Special to The Post
Achebe Chinua Thomas (a.k.a. Lamar Dewitt Thomas), 53, of Oakland, California, was a beloved fixture in the community of culture bearers, artists and dancers inspired by African-based spiritual traditions. He made his transition from this mortal coil on Oct. 3, 11 days before his 54th birthday.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, on Oct. 14, 1971, to Dr. Linda Sharon Goodrich and Gregory Thomas, Ph.D., he moved with his family to Oakland in 1978. He attended Maybeck High School, took classes at several colleges, including the Stride Center where he earned a Computer Professional Certificate in 2009.
He was especially well known for studying and practicing the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira with Mestre Themba Mashama as a member of Capoeira N’golo Preto Velho and gained his Capoeira name ‘Anu.’ Under Mestre Themba, he became a Contramestre.
“Achebe has been a beloved thread in the fabric of this community, a fearless, spiritually guided practitioner of Ifa, a devoted member and teacher of Capoeira Angola, and a walking embodiment of joy, rhythm, and truth,” according to the online invitation to his memorial, which was held Oct. 12.
“As our ‘mayor’ of Lakeshore, his presence will be missed at Peet’s Coffee (his unofficial office), rodas, ferries crossing the bay, festivals, and house parties.
“Through movement, music, laughter, and love, Achebe re-
minded everyone around him that spirit lives in the body, that the drum is a teacher, and that community is sacred.”
Achebe’s greatest love was nature, where he could be his authentic self with the snakes, frogs, grasshoppers, tadpoles, fish, and all creatures land and sea.
Achebe got his dream job working for the Blue and Gold Fleet Company in San Francisco which kept him on the water in the San Francisco-Bay Area every day. He loved working out and walking everywhere (just like his Grandmother Ruth)
He has shared his light with many more family and friends who love him.
Achebe is preceded in death by grandfather, James Richard Goodrich (2003); grandmother, Ruth Geraldine Davidson Goodrich (2016); uncle-in-law Wali “Walt” Neil (2020); cousin, Michael Anthony Daniels (2022); and his friends Eddie Maco Campbell (2008) and “Fitty.”
Achebe is survived by his mother, Dr. Linda S. Goodrich (John Roberts); father, Gregory Thomas; brother, Dante Goodrich Giray, 43 (Daniel Giray); and sons Achebe Lua Thomas, 23 (Rosesharon Oates), and Harrison Thomas Waters, 16 (Asali Waters).
The family is continuing to raise funds for his burial. To contribute, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/honoring-the-ascension-and-light-of-achebe-chinua-thomas
The family of Achebe Chinua Thomas provided this obituary to The Post.
second counts.”
The emergency center is part of a broader state strategy to modernize disaster response and improve coordination across agencies. Officials say the facility will enhance training for first responders, enable faster deployment of resources during crises, and strengthen communication between local and state emergency teams.
Alongside the facility announcement, the ShakeOut drill highlighted public preparedness.
The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) organized a shake trailer tour simulating a magnitude-7.0 earthquake, providing Californians with hands-on experience in earthquake safety.
The drill encourages families, schools, and businesses to review emergency plans and stock essential supplies.
State leaders say combining infrastructure investments like the new emergency facility with public education initiatives such as the ShakeOut demonstrates a comprehensive approach to disaster readiness.
By Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
For 20 years, the Taste of Soul festival has brought food, music and community pride to Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles.
This year’s celebration, held Oct. 18, carried deeper meaning for organizers and festivalgoers. The day before, the City of Los Angeles officially named the inter-
section of Crenshaw and Obama boulevards Danny J. Bakewell Sr. Square, honoring the civil rights leader, businessman and founder of Taste of Soul. At the dedication, Bakewell reflected on how the festival became something larger than he imagined — a celebration created by and for Black Los Angeles. He
Achebe Chinua Thomas. Courtesy photo.
iStock.
Photo courtesy of Taste of Soul.
iStock.
Solomon Brown. Public domain.
described Taste of Soul as “a big family reunion.”
On festival morning, Crenshaw Boulevard was packed. CBS News estimated more than 300,000 people attended the 20th Annual Taste of Soul, with about 300 booths and more than 100 food vendors. Bakewell and organizers say the number of vendors is now nearing 400.
Food remains the festival’s heart. Barbecue pitmasters, cobbler bakers, seafood stands, lemonade makers and vegan chefs lined the boulevard, many serving family recipes passed down through generations. Alongside them were retail vendors selling clothing, jewelry, beauty products, artwork and handmade goods — most of them Blackowned and local. Several said they work regular jobs during the week and rely on festivals like Taste of Soul to move closer to full-time entrepreneurship.
California Black Media (CBM) hosted a booth with the California Department of Justice Civil Rights Division (CRD), representing two efforts — the statefunded Stop the Hate campaign and CBM’s Black Health Journalism Project. Stop the Hate helped people understand how to recognize and report hate incidents. The health journalism project focused on sharing accurate health information and stories about the social, environmental and economic factors shaping health outcomes in Black communities.
At the booth, Dr. Deidra Beckles and Dr. Imani McElroy held “Ask the Doc” conversations, answering medical questions from attendees. The booth remained busy throughout the day, and ev-
ery “Ask the Doc” water bottle, stress ball and CA vs Hate tote bag was gone before the festival ended. Brandon Brooks, CBM’s project manager working with CRD, said the event was an important opportunity to connect directly with residents about civil rights and hate prevention.
This year’s festival also drew statewide political candidates, including 2026 gubernatorial hopefuls Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa and Butch Ware, whose campaign hosted a booth. Local officials on Crenshaw included Mayor Karen Bass, County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, State Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson and Councilmember Heather Hutt.
One of the busiest areas was the LAX/Los Angeles World Airports Pavilion, which hosted panel discussions titled “The Essence of L.A.,” “Putting the LA in LAX” and “$30 Billion Worth of Opportunity.” The final session focused on business contracts, workforce hiring and how South Los Angeles residents can benefit from the airport’s modernization.
Entertainment has always been central to Taste of Soul, and the 20th year stayed true to that tradition. Cameo, Rolls-Royce, the Mary Jane Girls and Montell Jordan performed, while Karen Clark Sheard headlined the Brenda Marsh-Mitchell Gospel Stage.
Actress and comedian Tiffany Haddish returned as Celebrity Soul Chair, greeting vendors and hosting performances. Recently, she helped raise funds for Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, which offered 800 free meals during the event — a gesture reflecting the spirit of giving that defines Taste of Soul.
Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce Hosts Awards Luncheon
Black Business Prosperity, a new initiative designed to equip Black and minority-owned businesses with the resources, mentorship, and capital-readiness support needed to thrive. To help establish the program, Supervisor Miley awarded a $100,000 grant to OAACCF, extending support through 2027 and reinforcing the County’s commitment to inclusive economic growth.
By Oakland Post Staff
The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC) and the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce Foundation (OAACCF) hosted their 22nd Annual Business Awards Luncheon on Oct.16, at Scott’s Seafood Pavilion in Jack London Square.
The annual gathering brought together business leaders, elected officials, and community partners to celebrate visionary leadership, innovation, and Black business excellence under the theme “Forging Innovative Paths for a Successful Oakland Now.”
The afternoon opened with remarks from Cathy D. Adams, President and CEO of OAACC, who reflected on the Chamber’s enduring mission to expand economic opportunity and equity for Black-owned businesses. The program continued with an invocation from Reverend Dereca Blackmon of East Bay Church of Religious Science, followed by dynamic performances by Ashling Cole, who inspired guests with soulful renditions of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now.”
During the program, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley announced the launch of Pathways to
The luncheon also featured acknowledgments by Ces Butner, Chair of the OAACCF Board of Directors, and Chadwick Spell, Chair of the OAACC Board of Directors. Sponsors and elected officials were recognized for their partnership, followed by greetings from Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, who praised OAACC’s long-standing leadership in strengthening the city’s business community.
This year’s honorees exemplified excellence across technology, innovation, and corporate leadership. Nichole Jordan, Chief Operating Officer of Indr, Inc., was honored with the Luminary in Technology & Equity Award for her decades of leadership and advocacy for diversity in tech. Justin Steele, CEO and Co-Founder of Kindora, received the Harbinger Award for his groundbreaking work in philanthropy and social innovation. Block, Inc., accepted by Ahmed Ali Bob, Director of Social Impact, earned the Pillar of Progress Corporate Award for its commitment to inclusive economic empowerment.
The program concluded with closing remarks from Adams, who reaffirmed OAACC’s vision to ensure that Black businesses remain central to Oakland’s future prosperity.
For more information about the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce and its ongoing programs, visit www.oaacc.org.
REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATION (RFQ) and RFQ’s FROM LBABE/LIABE/SBE/VSBE
RFQ Period: October 27th, 2025 – November 7th, 2025
Turner Construction Company (Turner) is seeking RFQs for the following Trade Packages for: Oakland International Airport M103 AHU and Roof Replacement
Approximate Construction Value: $34,000,000
Owner: Port of Oakland
Project Description:
Turner has been awarded the Oakland International Airport M103 AHU project designed by Gensler Architects, located at the Oakland International Airport. This project involves the replacement of four (4) existing rooftop air handling units (AHUs), roofing membrane, and associated components on Building M-103. This project is classified as a Level 1 Alteration per the 2022 California Existing Building Code. Only those Subcontractors who meet pre-qualification criteria and are deemed pre-qualified to perform work on their respective trades will be invited to submit a bid. Trade Subcontractors who do not submit the prequalification information and are not pre-qualified will not be allowed to bid the project.
PREQUALIFICATION OF PROSPECTIVE TRADE PARTNERS:
Prequalification’s are to be submitted online via www.Turnerconstruction.com. Contact Max Hanna mahanna@tcco.com for more information.
In addition to the online Prequalification, the documents listed below will need to be provided by the trade partner.
(Note: Turner has a 40% LBABE/LIABE goal which includes a 20% SBE/VSBE goal for this project.)
1. Oakland Port Certifications: (Local Business Area Business Enterprise (LBABE), Local Impact Area
ness Enterprise (SBE) & Very Small Business Enterprise (VSBE).
2. Include your Department of Industrial Relations Certificate.
(Note: For trades submitting multiple packages, please pre-qualify for each trade package.)
Turner is currently seeking RFQs for the following Trade Packages: Bid
OPINION: On Trump’s F-Bombs and BART Tailgaters
By Emil Guillermo
Right now, I’m mad about BART. But first the important stuff.
If you want to know what Donald Trump thinks of people who disagree with him, especially those who took part in No Kings protests, I hope you caught the AI-generated video he posted last weekend.
Trump is seen as a bomber pilot flying over the protesters and dropping F-Bombs.
That is’ F’ as in ‘Fecal.’
A joke? Satire?
He’s the president, not a comedian.
Satire is appropriately used to ridicule the powerful, hence good satire punches up.
When used by the powerful to ridicule the common person, that’s not satire. It’s mean and sadistic.
MY NO KINGS PROTEST
I did not go to the No Kings rally. Instead, I protested by performing in Ishmael Reed’s play in San Francisco, wearing a sequined jacket made in China. It would have been a cheap Chinese jacket a year ago. But with all the tariff nonsense, the price I paid for it was up 100%.
Tariffs are all Trump’s fault and it’s the reason the economy is on rocky ground. Trump thinks money from tariffs are paid by the countries he imposes tariffs on. Nope. Countries send their goods to companies here, who pass on the tariff charges — all or in part — to American consumers.
Like us.
FINALLY, MY BART COMPLAINT
Being cast in Reed’s play, “The Amanuensis” gave me the opportunity to ride BART again — regularly for the first time since the pandemic.
BART is great when it’s clean, safe, and priced right.
When I’m solo, round trip on BART is about $15.20 to the sub-
Solomon Brown ...
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mal scientific training, his ability to learn and master new concepts earned him great respect among scientists and scholars. His work contributed to the Smithsonian’s growing reputation as a center for scientific research and discovery during its developing years.
But Brown’s impact extended far beyond the walls of the Smithsonian. He was deeply committed to uplifting his community and sharing knowledge with others. He frequently gave lectures on topics such as electricity, astronomy, and natural history — subjects that were often inaccessible to African Americans at the time. Through these talks, he introduced many in Washington’s Black community to the wonders of science, encouraging curiosity and self-education.
A man of many talents, Brown was also a poet, artist, and civic leader. He served for nearly four decades on Washington, D.C.’s House of Delegates and Board of Aldermen, advocating for equality, education, and the rights of freedmen. Brown believed that progress began with learning and that every person, regardless of race, should
urbs.
But when I go with a companion, or two, suddenly, the same trip costs us both more than $30 dollars. If there are three of us, it costs more than $45 dollars.
BART is unaffordable.
I also have a problem with the so-called “tailgaters.” The new tall doors BART has installed may prevent fare jumpers. But they don’t stop fare evaders.
One guy stared right at me on the other side of the glass door. He was masked in a balaclava, like ICE, wearing sunglasses, and carrying flowers. When I tapped my card to enter, there was enough time and space for my “BART buddy” to bolt pass me to exit. On my exit, I tapped my card, and another rider was just waiting to find a spot. Like a football running back looking for a hole in the O-line.
He saw me, and like a dance, as I tapped and exited, he popped through for a touchdown on my dime.
Reports say BART loses $9.5 million annually due to fare evasion. And while that seems high, BART’s own reports say fares cover just 22% of its operating costs.
So why not lower the fares. For riders like me. And for those who feel compelled to evade the fares.
Just lower the fares, please. About the Author Emil Guillermo is an awardwinning journalist, and columnist, and a former host of NPR’s “All Things Considered.” He has written columns on race and social justice for more than 30 years. See him perform his latest “Emil Amok” monologue, Nov. 19 at the SF Marsh. Save the date and get tickets now.
https://themarsh.org/shows_ and_events/marsh-rising-emilguillermo/
have the opportunity to explore the world through knowledge.
Throughout his 54 years at the Smithsonian, Brown witnessed major moments in American history — from the Civil War and Emancipation to Reconstruction and the turn of the 20th century. His dedication never wavered. He worked closely with scientists, prepared lectures, maintained exhibits, and assisted with field research, always contributing with modesty and pride.
When Brown retired in 1906, he had become a symbol of dedication and intellectual achievement. The Smithsonian honored his decades of service, recognizing him not only as an employee but as a pillar of the institution’s history. Brown passed away in 1906, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. He died June 26, 1906, at his home. In 2004, a few trees were planted around the National Museum of Natural History in his honor. When the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in 2016, it named its fifth-floor Council and conference lounge space the Solomon G. Brown Room.
Cathy D. Adams, President of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC).
iStock.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS:
SLASHED funds for critical education programs
DISMANTLED the Department of Education including the Office of Civil Rights
FIRED hundreds of thousands of federal employees, disproportionately affecting Black workers
CUT healthcare for millions of California students and families
Meanwhile, the wealthiest top 1% will receive $1 trillion in tax cuts from Trump’s Megabill over the next decade.
Federal ICE Deployment
federal agents have already reportedly been sent to Coast Guard Island in Alameda and hundreds of protesters are marching and holding a vigil at the Oakland entrance.
In a press statement, Mayor Barbara Lee said she had first learned of the deployment from the news media and reaffirmed the city’s ‘sanctuary city’ status.
“Oakland remains a proud sanctuary city committed to standing with our immigrant families and we are actively monitoring this situation and are in touch with our state and federal delegation,” she said.
“We will notify our community with as much information as possible about any federal deployment. Real public safety comes from Oakland-based solutions, not federal military occupation,” Lee said.
Along with Mayor Lee, local leaders scheduled to speak at Thursday morning’s press conference at Oakland City Hall were Oakland City Council members, the Oakland Police Department, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon, Senator Jesse Arreguín, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, and Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas.
“An organized community is a safe community, and right now, that is exactly what we need to do to keep everybody safe — organize,” Supervisor Bas in a Facebook video.
“We know this brutal federal administration is ignoring our Constitution, terrorizing our communities and tearing families apart.
ICE and Trump’s militarized enforcement is not welcomed here,”
Bas said. (View Bas’s statement at https://www.facebook.com/ reel/1870400217687490)
Mobilizing quickly after the White House announcement of the deployment, protesters gathered Thursday morning outside the Oakland entrance to Coast Guard Island, going face-to-face with federal agents as Customs and Border Protection personnel arrived at the Coast Guard’s Alameda facility.
According to the Coast Guard, the agency is supporting a CBP operation involving 100 federal agents.
Protesters organized a “Sanctuary Faith Vigil.” As the protest grew during the day, demonstrators sang, chanted and carried signs such as, “No ICE in the Bay Area.” Two protesters were reportedly injured.
Also on Thursday, faith, labor and community leaders held a press conference to release a joint statement signed by more than 150 organizations demanding Trump keep federal troops out of the Bay. The broad coalition will denounce the violence and damage the invasions of American cities have unleashed on working people, immigrant families and local economies, and will pledge to stand united to protect each other from harm.
Among the scheduled speakers at the San Francisco press conference were: Jackie Fielder, Supervisor, D9; Chyanne Chen, Supervisor, D11; Cassondra Curiel, president, United Educators of San Francisco; Kim Tavaglione, executive director, San Francisco Labor Council; Lara Kiswani, executive director, AROC; and Valarie Bachelor, Oakland director, ACCE.
Rev. Michael Wallace
Continued from page 1
cioeconomic disparities in communities of color.
Wallace worked in the legal profession for several major law firms specializing in construction litigation, renewable alternative energy and social services administration as well as several Fortune 500 financial institutions providing both residential and commercial financing and developing Community Reinvestment Act Loan Programs for marginalized communities.
Pastor Wallace is a double major Honors graduate, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science (Pre-Law), Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Relations, a Minor in Business Administration and a Paralegal Certificate, from California State University, Chico. He has done his Graduate Studies at Golden Gate Theological Seminary, Mills Valley, California.
Power Up for Health ...
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participants to see advocacy as a form of collective empowerment. “Given the climate we are in at this time, we have to continue to come together, gain knowledge, and as a unit build and also make demands on a system that often ignores us,” Jones said.
The panelists emphasized that health inequities were not only the result of current funding gaps but also of historical exclusions. Dr. Aboelata pointed to the Flexner Report of 1910 as a critical turning point that shaped generations of medical access for Black communities. The report set higher educational standards that led to the closure of nearly all Black medical schools by 1914, leaving only Howard University and Meharry Medical College. According to Aboelata, this systemic barrier drastically reduced the pipeline of African American physicians,
a shortage that still affected communities today.“The Flexner Report’s impact was devastating,” she noted. “By eliminating opportunities for training, it limited the number of Black doctors who could serve their own communities, creating an inequity in care that has continued for over a century.”
Panelists connected these historical policies to present-day realities, where the shortage of culturally competent providers and lack of structural investment in community health translated into worse outcomes for Black patients.
Dr. Curry stressed the importance of mental health access, pointing to the stigmas and systemic hurdles that prevented Black families from receiving adequate care.
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Congressman Simon Invited Local Mayors to Meet to Assess the Impacts of the Federal Government Shutdown
William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94 ...
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three decades on the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Board and as three-term president of the Oakland NAACP, working for equity and justice.
“Bill’s legacy is woven into the fabric of EBMUD and the East Bay,” said Valerie Lewis, EBMUD director for Ward 6. “He was a mentor, a bridge-builder, a staunch believer in the power of informed decision-making, and a fierce advocate for the people he served.
His compassion and conviction inspired all of us to lead with heart, courage, and purpose.”
Patterson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from San Francisco State University and pursued graduate study at UC Berkeley.
Patterson and his wife, Euradell ‘Dell’ Logan-Patterson, were married on Aug. 3, 1961. A career educator, she worked for many years in the Oakland Unified School District at Washington, Franklin, Lakeview, Manzanita, and Sherman Elementary schools, and served as a Teacher of Special Assignment (TSA) for Reading and Language Arts.
She passed away on Dec. 26,
2020, at the age of 82. In an interview with Patterson in 2016, reporter Dave Newhouse of the East Bay called Patterson “the ultimate public servant (and) an Oakland treasure.”
Patterson first came to Oakland in 1948. He returned briefly to his native Arkansas, then made Oakland his permanent home, Newhouse said.
Working at DeFremery Recreation Center, he “touched the lives of athletic Hall of Famers — Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Willie Stargell and Joe Morgan — but he also groomed a future mayor in Lionel Wilson,” according to Newhouse.
In a press release, the Oakland Branch of the NAACP said that in June of this year it held a retirement celebration honoring Patterson’s 70-year legacy.
“It was a joyful and powerful tribute to a man whose impact continues to resonate across our city and our branch,” the NAACP said.
“Bill’s dedication to justice, education, and community empowerment will continue to inspire us. His passing marks the loss of a true civic champion and a friend to many,” the statement said.
Chief LeRonne Armstrong ...
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and also accused Thao of violating his First Amendment rights.
The judge did, however, give Armstrong an opportunity to update his lawsuit and refile within 10 days.
Armstrong had been hired in 2021 during the administration of Mayor Libby Schaaf. A federal judge rejected Armstrong’s First Amendment claim last Nov. and forwarded the rest of the claims to state court to decide whether the city’s leaders violated labor laws.
California Superior Court Judge Peter Borkon threw out the rest of Armstrong’s case on Oct. 16 after the city objected to it in a written filing.
In his ruling, the judge said that Armstrong’s complaints against the city “do not rise to the level of whistleblower violations for two reasons.”
Warshaw, OPD’s federal monitor, of fraud, but the lawsuit “fails to include any details” that explain how a fraud was committed. Other laws Armstrong accused Warshaw of violating are state laws, which don’t apply to federal court monitors, the judge wrote.
According to the state judge, Armstrong “does not provide facts demonstrating an objectively reasonable belief that Warshaw was issuing ‘false reports regarding the OPD and Chief Armstrong in order to continue to personally receive taxpayer money,’” as Armstrong had alleged in his suit.
Special to the Post
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) announced that she will “Invite and convene leaders of the seven cities (Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Piedmont, Emeryville, Albany, and San Leandro) in California’s 12th Congressional District to discuss the ongoing impacts of the Republicans’ federal government shutdown.” Following the roundtable, Congresswoman Simon and leaders will host a press availability to discuss direct resources for constituents throughout the government shutdown and other development, as well as how cities in the East Bay are staying united and prepared.
The list of mayors invited included: Mayor of Oakland Barbara Lee, Mayor of Berkeley Adena Ishii, Mayor of Alameda Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor of San Leandro Juan González, Mayor of Emeryville David Mourra, Mayor of Albany Robin López and Vice Mayor of Piedmont Conna McCarthy.
Congresswoman Simon previously released a statement following Congressional Republicans’ refusal to pass a bipartisan spending bill that extends Affordable Care Act tax credits and helps lower Americans’ health care costs to keep the federal government open that can be found at (https://simon. house.gov/). Earlier this month, Congresswoman Simon also hosted a roundtable with federal workers and labor unions impacted by the federal government shutdown.
First, the judge wrote that the claim of whistleblower retaliation relied entirely on an alleged Jan. 19, 2023, conversation between Armstrong, Thao, and then-City Administrator Ed Reiskin but failed to “clearly allege” what was said during this discussion.
Armstrong also accused Robert
Regarding Armstrong’s allegations that Warshaw had manufactured a crisis to maintain his paid job as OPD’s monitor, the superior court judge wrote that they were “speculative” and failed to meet “objective standards” of the whistleblower statute under state labor laws.
In addition to demanding reinstatement as police chief, Armstrong sought economic damages, punitive damages to be paid by Thao, money for emotional distress, attorneys fees, and other compensation for his firing.
DA Statement on ICE in Alameda County
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Oct. 23, 2025
The actions of ICE have caused many people in our community to feel anxious, fearful, and angry. I want you to know:
The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office commits to seeking justice on behalf of all in our community, regardless of immigration status. We will not provide immigration status information to the federal government, and we do not coordinate with ICE or participate in immigration activities.
We cannot thwart lawful activities by the federal government, but we will not facilitate it. We cannot ban federal law enforcement from a public building, but we will preclude them from entering the District Attorney’s physical space.
We support the freedom of speech, the right to assemble, and the right to peacefully protest, but I encourage those participating not to physically engage law enforcement agencies. We want to keep everyone safe and supported during these difficult times.
We will not assist federal agents, and we will not violate the law. We remain committed to following state laws which guide our interactions with federal immigration authorities.
Again, we will not allow anyone’s immigration status to affect our pursuit of justice.
Our focus is, and always will be, on public safety for all members of our community, regardless of background or immigration status.
— DA Ursula Jones Dickson
Alameda County District Attorney Ursala Jones Dickson. Photo: Screencapture NBC Bay Area.
Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12). File photo.