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‘Occupy ICE’ Blocks San Francisco Facility

Published

8 years ago

July 6, 2018

‘Occupy ICE’ protester Imri Rivas calls for the abolition of ICE at a July 3 press conference in front of San Francisco’s U.S. Citizen & Immigration Services building, where dozens of protesters have set up camp, blocking a driveway used to transport detained immigrants. Photo by Sarah Carpenter.

‘Occupy ICE’ protesters remain camped out in front of San Francisco’s U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services building, calling for the abolition of ICE.

A group of tents and a makeshift barbed wire fence block a driveway used by vehicles transporting detained persons, and multiple protesters have said they are committed to staying there until the agency is abolished. The encampment doubled in size Wednesday from the day before, and is now taking over a lane of Washington St. as well as the sidewalk.

Demonstrations continued on the fourth of July at a “Block ICE Block Party.”

On Tuesday, the Anti Police-Terror Project held an emergency press conference at the encampment site, 630 Sansome St., accusing ICE of retaliating against the occupation by denying services to immigrant families.

ICE representatives have commented that hearings are continuing as normal despite the occupation, and that some hearings are cancelled or rescheduled when attorneys do not show. ICE has yet to comment on the case highlighted in the emergency press conference, in which an immigrant with a heart condition was denied his scheduled hearing.

Cat Brooks, co-founder of APTP and current Oakland mayoral candidate, spearheaded the press conference, inviting protesters to speak to several news outlets about why they are there.

“What’s important for me is the active disruption of ICE operations. I hope people do it everywhere,” said Imri Rivas, one of those camping out in front of the building.

Similar occupations are also camped outside of ICE detention centers in Portland and Philadelphia this week, following mass protests nationwide over the weekend at ICE headquarters in New York, and facilities in Los Angeles, Detroit, Louisville, Washington, San Francisco, and more.

In six weeks, over 2,000 children have been separated from their parents, who were arrested for illegally crossing the border to the U.S. from Mexico.

Unaccompanied minors are being ordered to appear in immigration courts alone, without representation.
No database or tracking system was in place during these separations, leaving means for reunification unclear.
“They are playing with people’s lives and this is not a game,” said Brooks.

On Tuesday, President Trump said “We’re not abandoning ICE and we’re not abandoning our law enforcement.”

Rep. Jeff Denham on Monday was locked out of a Pleasant Hill detention facility holding immigrant children 13 and younger. Denham said he wanted transparency in these facilities, and he wanted to see for himself what the conditions were inside.

The facility is run by Southwest Key Programs, a nonprofit paid to care for the children by the federal government. Southwest Key currently runs 26 similar facilities in California, Arizona, and Texas.

Over 70 members of Congress had been cleared and toured their facilities within the past two weeks. When Denham requested access, he was told they needed two weeks notice, and did not receive an explanation for why they needed that time to prepare. Denham had hoped to tour the facility before meeting with Congress to legislate on the issue.

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IN MEMORIAM: Longtime OUSD Employee Debra King-Cooper, 73

Longtime OUSD Employee Debra King-Cooper, 73 Caption: Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo. Special to The Post Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love i

Published

2 days ago

June 17, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Debra King-Cooper. Courtesy photo.

Special to The Post

Debra King-Cooper, a beloved mother, grandmother, queen, sister, church member, caregiver, and matriarch, transitioned peacefully on May 20 surrounded by family and love in the comfort of her home. To her children, she was royalty, grace, strength, and unconditional love embodied.

Debra Diane Edgar was born on May 28, 1952, in San Francisco, California, to Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar. She was raised alongside her younger brother, Charles Edgar Jr., affectionately known as “Little Brother” or “Lil Bruh.” She also shared close bonds with her older siblings Carol Edgar-Lang, Maryann Edgar Calloway, and Lonnie Lewis Sr.

A proud product of San Francisco’s historic Fillmore District, Debra attended Andrew Jackson Elementary School, where she met her lifelong best friend and adopted sister, Lynn Green, in the fifth grade. She later attended Robert Louis Stevenson Elementary School, Roosevelt Junior High School and Thomas Jefferson High School.

Debra’s mother transitioned when she was only 17 years old, and her father transitioned when she was 23. Despite these profound losses, Debra remained grounded through the love and support of extended family and lifelong family friends,

In 1971, she married Harold King. On Sept. 24, 1972, they welcomed their first son, Dajuan Artese King, affectionately called “Pop” or “Poppa.” On Aug. 5, 1976, they welcomed their second son, Dante Dupree King, affectionately called “Tay” or “Taboocoo the Baby.”

After her divorce in 1982, Debra assumed full responsibility for raising her sons.

She supported Dajuan’s passion for football by purchasing sports equipment and attending games faithfully. She supported Dante’s love of music by enrolling him in the San Francisco Boys Choir, Oakland Boys Choir, and the Castlemont Castleers.

Professionally, Debra built an exceptional career. She worked at Blue Shield of California from 1973 until 1994, earning multiple promotions.

She later joined the Oakland Unified School District, initially in a temporary role before being promoted into management within the Labor Relations Department. She retired from OUSD in 2015 after years of distinguished service. During her years at OUSD, she built meaningful friendships with her colleagues.

Faith was central to Debra’s life. During the 1980s, following personal hardship, she joined Love Center Church under the leadership of Bishop Walter Hawkins, where she brought her children regularly. She later became a member of Triumphant: A Church Without Walls Ministries under Pastor Dr. Larry Short, who became a beloved spiritual mentor.

After Triumphant closed in 1992, Debra joined Cosmopolitan Baptist Church in Oakland under the leadership of Pastor Larry Ashley, where she remained for the rest of her life.

At Cosmopolitan, she worked in numerous ministries. She served on the usher board, sang in the choir, participated in the AIDS ministry during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, helped feed and support unhoused community members, and mentored and supported a group of young girls.

After retirement, she cared for older adults in her church community, driving them to appointments, cleaning their homes, managing finances, preparing meals, and helping families navigate funeral arrangements after loved ones transitioned.

Even while battling Stage 4 cancer herself, she continued caring for others.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Edgar Sr. and Mamie Arthur Edgar; her brothers, Lonnie Lewis Sr. and Charles Edgar Jr.; her sisters, Maryann Edgar Calloway and Victoria Stephenson Knight; and her adopted mother, Clara Oliver.

She leaves to cherish her memory her beloved sons, Dajuan King and Dante King; grandson, Tiyler Dajuan Artese King; sister, Carol Edgar-Lang; goddaughters Monique Belle and Ricketa Matthews Jones (Leonard); daughter-in-love Quiona Sullivan; son-in-love Marcel Walker; sister-in-law Delores Lewis; adopted sisters and lifelong friends Lynn Green, Barbara Stephenson Hill, and Sarah Fine; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family members, her church family and dear friends.

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Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance

This video from BlackPressUSATV explores the significance of Juneteenth, focusing on the enduring wisdom of Frederick Douglass. It delves into his powerful perspectives on the vital role of education as a tool for liberation and empowerment. Douglass’s words are presented as a cornerstone for understanding the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of continuous […]
The post Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

Published

3 days ago

June 16, 2026

Oakland Post

The content highlights how education and active resistance are intertwined, drawing parallels from historical movements to contemporary challenges. This exploration of Frederick Douglass’s teachings offers valuable insights into the spirit of Juneteenth and its relevance in today’s fight for justice and human rights.

The post Celebrating Juneteenth – Frederick Douglass on education and resistance appeared first on BlackPressUSA.

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LIVE! — ASK ALMA! — TUES. 6.19.26 7PM EST

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Oakland Post

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