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Tenants of one of Oakland’s Biggest Evictors are Organizing

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A protestor on May Day with a sign attached to his car that reads "No Rent Debt." The SMC Tenant Council sent a letter to SMC East Bay on May Day demanding all rent debt be cancelled during the pandemic.

Tenants who rent from Sullivan Management Company (SMC) East Bay, have founded the SMC Tenants Council, unifying to make collective demands including that the company cancel debt of back rent that’s owed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re putting together all of us so if they touch one of us they have to touch all of us,” said Xavier T. de Janon, an SMC tenant, council member, and the group’s media spokesperson.

Although de Janon would not reveal precisely how many members the SMC tenant council currently has due to concern for retaliation, he said they spent over 100$ on mailers which they used to contact hundreds of SMC tenants, many who joined the council.

“There’s enough of us that we feel confident that there’s a critical mass. If we were to act together, it would affect SMC’s bottom line,” said de Janon.

In 2014, The East Bay Express reported that SMC East Bay’s owner, Neill Sullivan, started buying hundreds of properties, mostly in West Oakland, in the wake of the 2008 recession. The recession and housing market collapse allowed Sullivan to purchase the properties at about half of what the previous owners had paid. Billionaires and/or hedge fund investors provided needed capital for Sullivan’s investments, including former presidential candidate Thomas Steyer.

The Anti-Eviction Mapping Project reports Sullivan has purchased at least 356 properties and served at least 357 eviction notices from 2011 to 2016, making him the 12th biggest evictor in Oakland at that time. But it’s difficult to know exactly how many properties Sullivan has or how many eviction notices he’s served since he is associated with at least a dozen companies and LLCs.

The Oakland Post emailed SMC East Bay and asked how many properties Sullivan owns and if we could speak with him, but SMC East Bay responded with an unsigned response that did not answer those questions.

“They have too many properties to have proper oversight and a lot of their tenants are suffering,” said an SMC tenant and council member who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation.

The tenant says while her rent is affordable, her building is neglected and looks dilapidated to the extent that “people think it’s abandoned.” Inside, her place has a ceiling leak that previous tenants made a formal complaint about over three years ago and still hasn’t been fixed. The place is filled with rats and mold which affects her health as the mold harms her lungs and the rats bring fleas that bite her. Termites have eaten much of the wood in the home and the tenant is concerned about what would happen if an earthquake struck.

Over half of active SMC Tenant Council members say they were unable to afford to pay rent due to the COVID-19 crisis. De Janon says expenses related to his family increased drastically while his income level remained the same. On May 1, SMC Tenant Council collectively sent an email and a physical letter with demands that would allow him and other SMC tenants to be able to afford to stay in their homes: canceling rent owed during the pandemic, a rent reduction for the rest of this year, and allowing lease transfers to be available to subtenants.

Neither SMC East Bay nor Sullivan responded directly to the email or the letter but instead, the company individually emailed tenants the same response. The email outlines services, some already running, some planned, that SMC East Bay says it provides to Oaklanders including a martial arts program, a community garden after school arts programs, and a gift card program for residents who are having difficulties affording groceries.

While the last two paragraphs of the nine paragraph email directly address housing affordability and the COVID-19 crisis and confirm that SMC East Bay intends to obey a City of Oakland emergency ordinance which currently prevents eviction, it makes no mention of the SMC Tenant Council, rent forgiveness, or any of the council’s demands.

“We will work with you to discuss your financial difficulties…however, if you do not pay rent and don’t notify us that you have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, we will assume you have not been directly impacted and your current lease is in full effect,” reads the email.

The email also states “for those affected by the pandemic, there are a variety of governmental and third-party resources,” insists “these organizations are not affiliated with SMC East Bay,” then lists charitable organizations that could help people pay rent.

“I think the way [SMC East Bay] responded to us shows the idea that they can be great to the community in theory, but our individual lives don’t really matter,” said de Janon.

De Janon also says SMC East Bay has asked to see his personal financial information, but after talking with lawyers, he concluded he wasn’t legally obligated to.

SMC East Bay did respond to one of The Oakland Post’s emailed questions which asked if they recognized SMC Tenant Council. SMC East Bay emailed back and stated: “While tenants are free to organize in any manner that they deem appropriate, we will continue our historic practice of responding to individual tenant requests on a case-by-case basis—which we believe is fair, smart and consistent with best industry practice.”

SMC Tenants Council is currently exploring the legal protections that forming a tenant council could provide them and seeking out new SMC tenants to join them. Those interested can check out their FacebookTwitter, and Instagram pages, email them directly at smctenantscouncil@gmail.com, or call 510-342-9843.

Activism

Over 500 Join Interfaith Rally in Solidarity with Los Angeles Resistance to Trump Invasion

Over 500 people attended the Tuesday evening rally in Oakland, which was held simultaneously with a prayer vigil in Los Angeles, where rabbis, pastors, Muslim faith leaders, and indigenous spiritual leaders gathered to pray and speak out about the federal government’s abuses of power.

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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.
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.

By Post Staff

n 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.

Over 500 people attended the Tuesday evening rally in Oakland, which was held simultaneously with a prayer vigil in Los Angeles, 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 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 working 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.

“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.

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Activism

Oak Temple Hill Hosts Interfaith Leaders from Across the Bay Area

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 individuals and communities in need. 

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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.
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.

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 Latter-day 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 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 a Norwegian citizen who escaped an abusive marriage with nowhere to go. We’ve been homeless in Florida since January 2024. Recently, we came to California for my son’s passport, but my plan to drive for Uber fell through, leaving us homeless again. Through 2-1-1, 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 week-and-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 hope again.

“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.”

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Activism

Learning Life’s Lessons

Since his release over five years 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.

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Richard Johnson and son Fati. Courtesy photo.
Richard Johnson and son Fati. Courtesy photo.

“California’s three-strike laws gave me 2 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 help others from not 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-out law. The more that I wrote, the book began to evolve beyond its intended purpose 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 can be purchased via Amazon. Learning life lessons.

About the Author

By Post staff

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 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 navigate life’s trials, learn from their mistakes, and find their 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.

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