Activism

Oakland Frontline Healers ‘Deep East Oakland Rising’ Rally June 27

Published

4 years ago

June 25, 2020

Deep East Oakland Rising, a rally for Black lives, is set for Saturday, June 27 2020. The event will show the community how participation for social justice must be tempered by sound social distancing practices and wearing masks.

Sponsored by East Oakland Collective, Adamika Village, OCCUR, Black Cultural Zone, Higher Ground, The Town Experience, Town Biz Oakland, Oakland Pillars, and Roots Medical Clinic, the rally will begin at 11 a.m. with a blessing at the corner of 73rd Avenue and Foothill Boulevard at the Black Cultural Zone lot.

Starting at noon, the march will proceed down 73rd Avenue to International Boulevard to 98th Avenue and B Street to Wilkins Memorial Park.

From 2:00–4 p.m., attendees will participate in a Black Joy celebration with art, COVID-19 education, DJ, Bike Rodeo, giveaways, free catered meals, produce box giveaways, motorcycle and car clubs and more.

“We are still here! Mobbin’ daily to plan and design better neighborhoods and provide resources for our Deep East Oakland neighbors,” said Marquita Price, director of Urban and Regional Planning for East Oakland Collective. “For East Oakland Collective, this action is meant to make our community aware that to survive CODID-19 this virus must be respected and taken seriously.”

It’s important “to show East Oakland Black residents that we’re all in this together and to everyone else that Black East Oakland is still here and we’re not going out that easy,” Price said.

Masks are required for all attending and will be available upon request.

With COVID-19 looming over African American communities, social inequities in America can no longer be tolerated. Oakland Front Line Healer Candice Elder and CEO of East Oakland Collective said “This is a march for everyone who can no longer be silent against racial injustices that plague our Black neighborhoods. This Saturday we will rise up and we’re inviting the community to join us.”

Oakland Frontline Healers recently sent a letter to the County Board of Supervisors by OFH representative and Roots Clinic Physician Noha Abolata regarding how Deep East Oakland will be impacted by the reopening of commerce, leisure and worship in Alameda County.

“It’s like we’re the guinea pigs regarding outcomes of this reopening,” said Daryle Allums of Adamika Village#stopkillingourkidsmovement. “We know a surge is coming in July and August and we’re still trying to get the word out to our youngsters regarding the importance of social distancing and wearing a mask. This reopening is a signal to them that it ain’t all that serious when it’s about to get more serious than anyone can imagine.”

Supervisor Wilma Chan responded saying, “During the past three weeks, the State has been messaging the need to reopen and has encouraged counties to file formal ‘attestations’ stating that they are ready to reopen at a rapid rate. Even Los Angeles, which is clearly a California epicenter of the epidemic, has filed an attestation. Meanwhile, seven health officers in counties with large outbreaks have been personally threatened and forced to resign.

“I am proud to say that Alameda County is one of the only counties that has not filed an attestation to reopen,” Chan said. “I personally believe, as you do, that a rapid re-opening will have a disproportionately large impact on Black, Latinx, Hmong and other communities of color who provide the workforce for the many businesses pushing to reopen. This along with years of health disparities puts our populations of color at an overall greater risk of illness and death from the virus.

Tanya Dennis

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024

Published

17 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Oakland Post

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Activism

S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

6 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

Oakland Post

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Activism

Oakland Ambassadors Strengthen Ties and Aid Efforts in Ghana

Oakland natives and esteemed members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), Jonathan P. Jones and Dr. Maritony Efua Jones, recently embarked on a significant journey to Ghana as guests of the World Martial Authority Ghana. This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Published

7 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Elder Jorg Klebingat, Flint Mensah, Richard Burton, H.E. Dr. Maritony Jones, Amb. Jonathan Jones, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, Elder Alfred Kyungu. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Upon their arrival at Katota Airport in Accra, Ghana, the Joneses were warmly received by His Royal Majesty Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, the distinguished king of Sanzule Kingdom in the Eastern Nzema, and Etse Nyamedi of World Martial Authority, Ghana.

Nyamedi accompanied the Joneses to the city of Mepe, which had recently experienced flooding, to assess damages and engage with local leaders, elders, and youth regarding the city’s urgent needs after major floods last fall.

Key concerns and priorities identified by the community include comprehensive flood mitigation measures, agricultural support, housing initiatives, educational enhancements, improved healthcare access, and the development of communal recreational spaces.

The Joneses were also graciously invited to meet with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their headquarters in Accra. This meeting provided insights into ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ghana and explored avenues for collaboration to further assist Ghanaian communities.

The LDS leaders shared their prompt response to the recent flood, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian aid by dispatching substantial supplies including medical provisions, sanitation items, blankets, and food to assist flood victims just four days after the disaster.

Additionally, Boakye extended a special invitation to the Joneses to his palace, where they were pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt recognition ceremony. Maritony Jones was honored as the Queen Mother of the Sanzule Kingdom in acknowledgment of her dedicated work, while Jonathan Jones was lauded and welcomed as the ambassador of the Sanzule Kingdom, symbolizing a meaningful homecoming to their ancestral land.

The visit not only strengthens ties between Oakland and Ghana but also underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to meaningful progress and humanitarian endeavors shared by all involved parties.