Crime

Opinion: Send Cards to Incarcerated Moms for Mother’s Day

Published

9 years ago

May 3, 2017

By Simone Thelemaque, President – BWOPA Oakland/Berkeley Chapter

This past month has felt very heavy, as I found myself deeply triggered by the violent attacks on women from estranged lovers and spouses.

Say Her Name: Rashanda Franklin in Richmond and Karen Smith in San Bernardino. These are two of the women whose deaths left me wondering: “How?”

Following this strange wave of violence, the Huffington Post posted an article “Five Women Black Women Open Up About Being in Abusive Relationships” (Trigger Warning)

I learned that many women end up in jail for self-defense from an abuser. This should not have been a surprise to me, but for some reason, the reality has left a deep burning hole in my heart.

I thought of those women, their children, friends and family and how our system continues to participate in victim blaming.

Enough is enough.

Although I cannot change the entire world, what I can do, what we can do, is uplift those mothers behind bars.

We may not know how all of them arrived in that space, but many of them are mothers.

I would love to personally invite you to join me, and the women of Black Women Organized for Political Action in our efforts of distributing 400 cards by May 9.

What to include: messages of love, hope, unity, encouragement, and solidarity. We cannot live in this world of borders, walls and separation. Our sisters need us just as badly as we need them. We are doing this for our children, their children and our collective futures.

Who are we serving?

1. Elmwood Complex Women’s Facility in Santa Clara County, which is a 500-person institution, 300 of whom are mothers. There are two mothers in juvenile detention, who will also receive cards.
2. West County Detention Facility in Richmond. We are not sure the numbers at this time, but we are expecting at least 100.

In Oakland Simone Thelemaque is the contact person. The Oakland drop off location is AU Lounge, 2430 Broadway. You may come in and make cards anytime between 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. and drop off ANYTIME between 6:30 p.m. and 2 a.m.

In Richmond Kathleen Sullivan, president of the Richmond BWOPA chapter, is the contact person. She can be reached at ksullivanwill2@gmail.com to arrange to drop off.

In the South Bay Shanta Franco-Clausen is your contact person. She can be reached at shanta.franco.clausen@gmail.com

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 1 – 7, 2026

Published

5 days ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

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Activism

NPRC Joins National Grand Jury Proceedings Seeking Accountability, Constitutional Restoration

Organizers state that testimony will explore historical and political developments that they believe have contributed to the expansion of corporate influence over public institutions and governmental decision-making. Participants are expected to discuss concerns regarding constitutional governance, individual liberties, property rights, and the protection of vulnerable populations, including seniors and persons with disabilities.

Published

2 weeks ago

June 26, 2026

Oakland Post

Photo by Billie Powers.

Special to The Post

The National Probate Reform Coalition (NPRC) has joined Toll and Roll and a growing coalition of advocacy organizations, victims, whistleblowers, and citizen groups in support of a nationally broadcast People’s Grand Jury proceeding scheduled for July 1 and July 7.

Organizers describe the event as a public forum designed to examine allegations of government abuse, judicial misconduct, legislative failures, and the erosion of constitutional protections affecting millions of Americans.

The proceedings will feature testimony from victims, families, advocates, and organizations from across the country who contend they have experienced harm through government actions, institutional neglect, and failures of oversight.

According to organizers, the People’s Grand Jury will focus on concerns involving probate courts, guardianships, conservatorships, child welfare systems, property rights, civil liberties, and what participants view as a growing disconnect between government institutions and the constitutional rights of the people they are sworn to serve.

NPRC is participating because many of the issues being examined mirror the concerns raised by advocates, victims, and families who have participated in its monthly town halls. For years, families have reported cases involving exploitation of elders, questionable guardianships, estate depletion, denial of due process, and a lack of meaningful oversight within probate court systems.

“This proceeding gives victims and advocates an opportunity to place their experiences on the public record,” said Tanya Dennis, lead facilitator of NPRC. “For too long, families have struggled to have their voices heard regarding elder abuse, probate exploitation, and government inaction. This forum allows those stories to be shared before a national audience.”

In keeping with principles of transparency and fairness, invitations have been extended to legislators, members of the judiciary, law enforcement representatives, and other public officials who may wish to respond to concerns raised during the proceedings or defend actions taken by their respective institutions.

One of the primary outcomes sought by organizers is public consideration and support for the People’s Remedy and Restoration Act, a proposed legislative framework that advocates believe would strengthen oversight, increase accountability, provide remedies for victims of governmental abuse, and restore constitutional protections.

The proceedings are expected to be broadcast nationally, providing citizens throughout the United States an opportunity to observe testimony, review evidence presented, and participate in an ongoing conversation regarding government accountability and the protection of individual rights.

Advocates hope the hearings will encourage meaningful dialogue, legislative reform, and renewed public engagement in the democratic process.

Individuals, organizations, public officials, and members of the media interested in attending or obtaining access information may contact the organizers at tollandroll2025@gmail.com.

As Americans continue to debate the future of constitutional governance, judicial accountability, and the protection of vulnerable citizens, the July proceedings are expected to serve as a significant forum for public testimony and civic engagement. For more information, go to https://tollandroll.com