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Oakland’s Bissap Baobab Restaurant Owner Faces Deportation

Published

6 years ago

September 7, 2018

Marco Senghor, owner of Bissap Baobab, is charged with obtaining citizenship illegally. He has pleaded not guilty. Photo courtesy of Mission Local

Marco Senghor, owner of the popular Senegalese restaurant and nightclub Bissap Baobab (with locations in both San Francisco and Oakland), is being charged with obtaining his citizenship illegally.

“The future of the Bissap Baobab Village that we have built together is uncertain, but I am dedicated to preserving it,” Senghor wrote in a public Facebook post about his arrest.

Friday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m., the public is invited to join Senghor at the original San Francisco location (3372 19th St.) for a “We Are Bissap Baobab Village Photo Shoot,” to show support for Senghor and the community he has fostered.

The Oakland location is featured in a scene of Boots Riley’s popular Oakland-centric film, “Sorry to Bother You,” just released this summer. “This is terrible,” Riley said in a re-post of Senghor’s Facebook post. “He’s been a vibrant part of our community for at least 30 years. Probably more.”

On Aug. 2, Senghor pleaded not guilty to the charges. He hired defense attorney Jeffrey L. Bornstein of Rosen Bien Galvan & Grunfeld LLP to represent him in the legal battle—a process which Senghor expects to be the fight of his life.

Last October, Senghor purchased the San Francisco restaurant’s building from Facebook executive Owen Van Natta for a reported $1.6 million. This, he thought, was securing his position and a home for his restaurant. Now, he faces deportation and federal charges of “Procurement of Citizenship for a Person Not Entitled to Citizenship” and “Procurement of Citizenship Contrary to Law,”according to federal court filings.

Senghor and his supporters have set up a GoFundMe account to assist with his legal fees.

To donate to Senghor’s legal defense fund, visit https://www.gofundme.com/marco-senghor-legal-defense-fund.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

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California Black Media

Yahushua’s Law: Senate Advances Bill to Protect Students from Extreme Weather

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3. The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Yahushua Nyerere Robinson (Courtesy Photo)

By California Black Media

In a significant move towards student safety, the California Senate Education Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 1248, also known as Yahushua’s Law, on April 3.

The bill is named in memory of Yahushua Robinson, a 12-year-old student from Lake Elsinore, who tragically died due to a heat-related illness during a physical education class in 2023. It is a pioneering effort to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Authored by Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) and co-authored by Assemblymember Akilah Weber, M.D. (D-La Mesa), SB 1248 directs the California Department of Education to develop comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student activity during all extreme weather conditions.

“No student should ever lose their life on campus to extreme weather when we can take steps to protect them by preparing statewide plans to minimize exposure to the most harmful elements of exposure,” Hurtado said after introducing SB 1248.

The bill stipulates that schools must implement safety measures which include monitoring weather forecasts, postponing or relocating outdoor activities during hazardous conditions, and ensuring students have proper hydration and access to shade. It also requires schools to establish clear communication plans to keep parents, teachers, and students informed about potential weather hazards.

Supporters of the bill include the Robinson family, advocate Christina Laster, Bold Enterprises LLC, California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Familias Empoderadas del Valle Central National Action Network, The Black Student Advocate, and the Ventura County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Thanking Hurtado for introducing this crucial legislation, Weber said, “The story of Yahushua Robinson last year was heartbreaking. We have protections for farm workers and other industries in the case of extreme weather, now climate change is forcing us to also extend similar protections to students at school.”