Activism

Rally Calls for Removal of Two Oakland Police Commissioners

Several current police commissioners and police accountability activists held a rally this week calling for removal or resignation of two members of the Oakland’s appointed Police Commission, accusing them of attacking fellow commissioners and members of the public, and creating chaos that has kept the commission from fulfilling its duties to the community.

Published

11 months ago

June 26, 2023

Oakland Post

According to speakers at the rally Tuesday at noon on the steps of Oakland City Hall, Commission Chair Tyfahra Milele and Commissioner Brenda Harbin-Forte should be removed because they have created dysfunction on the commission that for months stalled the search for a new police chief.

By Ken Epstein

“We are calling for a new leadership on the Police Commission.…In the last year, we have seen disunity, disrespectful proceedings, and a lack of attention to pressing police oversight matters,” said Mariano Contreras of the Oakland Latino Taskforce and the Coalition for Police Accountability.

Speakers also charged that the commission was unable to weigh in on a crucial issue, the firing of Oakland Police Department Chief LeRonne Armstrong, because Milele failed to subpoena records related to the handling and mishandling of an internal OPD case against Sgt. Michael Chung, which was connected to the chief’s firing.

Speakers said they are calling for the removal of the commissioners after internal attempts to settle the conflicts were ignored or attacked.

Milele was appointed to the commission by the official selection panel, and Harbin-Forte was appointed by former Mayor Libby Schaaf. Milele’s term expires on October 16, while Harbin-Forte’s expired several months ago; she is serving until Mayor Sheng Thao names a replacement.

Contreras, who chaired the rally, said that rather than investigating the case that resulted in the firing of the police chief, the two commissioners have spent their time “looking for dirt” on community members, Oakland City Council members and the commission’s inspector general.

Police Commissioner Marsha Peterson, an attorney and Oakland native, said, “What we are up against (is) a lack of leadership,” adding that she has not been able to have conversations with Milele that don’t result in “threats, complaints, and chaos.”

At deadline, the Oakland Post has not received comments from Milele. However, in a press statement on June 7, Milele denounced the KTVU Channel 2 coverage of complaints against her and characterized the disputes as “an attempted power grab by a small band of political extremists with a personal agenda.”

“The extremist attack by an unelected, unaccountable, small group of politically ambitious zealots counters the will of the Oakland electorate and makes flagrantly false allegations,” she wrote.

In an email, Harbin-Forte told the Post:

“Yesterday’s pathetic rally totally vindicated Chair Tyfahra Milele and me. The Coalition for Police Accountability and Commissioners Regina Jackson and Marsha Peterson invited more than 2,000 people to their party and ended up with more picture-takers than participants.”

She added: “Regina and Marsha suffered an embarrassing loss in January when Regina’s candidate, Marsha, who was then vice chair, ran to become chair of the commission. We not only overwhelmingly voted in Dr. Milele for a second term, but we also voted out Marsha as vice chair.”

Defending those criticized by Milele, Vice Mayor of Emeryville Courtney Welch, a former Oakland resident, said she stood in solidarity with “great leaders … who have been on the receiving end of vicious attacks, retaliation and character assassination” and that “it has to stop.”

Among those under attack, said Welch, have been Regina Jackson, currently a police commissioner and three-time past police commission chair; Police Commissioner Peterson; District 6 Oakland Councilmember Kevin Jenkins; and Cathy Leonard, a longtime police accountability activist, Oakland native, and president of the Coalition for Police Accountability.

The Coalition for Police Accountability was instrumental in putting Measure LL on the ballot, which created the police commission in 2016 with the support of 83% of voters.

In her remarks Leonard said, “We are raising a critical issue with the police commission,” only deciding to ask for the removal of the two commissioners after numerous attempts to meet with them failed to resolve the issues.

“We want the commission to work as a commission of all of the commissioners, not a police commission of two people,” she said. “(But) it’s been attack after attack after attack.”

Jackson has served for six years on the Police Commission – its longest serving member – and for 30 years as a community leader. She said of Harbin-Forte, a retired judge, “We have seen ridiculous harassment and bullying, not just of community members, not just of city employees … but also of fellow commissioners.”

Jackson said Harbin-Forte has attacked those who are willing to stand up to her. “She called for three resignations in 72 hours: Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, myself, and Commissioner Marsha Peterson.”

She said she has requested five times but still has not seen an accounting of how the commission is spending its money. “We have received no budget updates,” she said.

Jackson ended the rally with a chant, joined by other rally participants: “Remove, remove, remove!”

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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

5 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.

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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

6 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.

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Activism

Calif. Anti-Sex Trafficking Advocates Discuss Competing Bills, Strategies

Advocates from across California are challenging state officials and community leaders to support legislation that provides resources and services for survivors and victims of human trafficking, as well as assistance as they transition back into civil society.  Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

Published

7 days ago

May 3, 2024

Oakland Post

Shutterstock

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Some of those advocates are also calling for more effective state policy to curtail trafficking, a crime that has an outsized impact on Black children, particularly girls.

According to the FBI, a report covering a two-year period found Black children accounted for 57% of all juvenile arrests for prostitution. In addition, 40% of sex trafficking victims were Black and 60% of those victims had been enrolled in the foster care system.

“It is time to hold the perpetrators who take advantage of our children accountable,” said the Rev. Shane Harris, a San Diego-based activist, former foster youth and founder of the Peoples Association of Justice Advocates, (PAJA), a national civil rights organization and policy think tank.

“It is time to send a thorough message that if you seek to buy a child for sex, you will pay the highest criminal penalties in this state,” added Harris who was speaking at a rally at the State Capitol earlier this month. Harris was speaking in support of Senate Bill 1414, authored by Sen. Shannon Grove (D-Bakersfield), which calls for people who buy sex from minors to be punished with a felony. The punishment includes a two-year prison sentence and a $25,000 fine.

Harris said the PAJA is the only civil rights organization in the state that supports SB 1414.

Harris urged other Black-led groups who favor anti-trafficking legislation more focused on criminal justice reforms (as opposed to stiffer penalties), to “join the movement.”

Many of those civil rights groups fear that SB 1414 could lead to the incarceration of more Black youth.

Those sentiments were echoed in a panel discussion organized by Black women advocates on April 26 to examine the cause and effects of human trafficking in California’s Black communities. The virtual event was hosted by the Forgotten Children, Inc, a faith-based nonprofit that advocates for survivors and victims of human trafficking through anti-trafficking campaigns and initiatives.

Panelists shared the psychological impact of sexual exploitation on youth and children in the long term.

Author and educator Dr. Stephany Powell shared statistics and information revealing that African American women and girls are the most trafficked nationwide.

Powell, who serves as the senior advisor on law enforcement and policy at the National Center on Sexual Exploitation said that national data indicates that sex trade survivors are disproportionately women of color. She stated that male survivors often go unnoticed because boys rarely report trafficked crimes.

Powell said that decriminalizing prostitution in California could increase human trafficking. She argued that Senate Bill 357, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), which was signed into law in 2022 and legalized loitering for prostitution, caused a surge in street-level prostitution.

Panelist and psychologist Dr. Gloria Morrow shared opposing views on decriminalizing prostitution. She said that decriminalizing prostitution could help survivors gain access to state resources and support.

Despite opposing views, Powell and Morrow agree that the Black community needs resources and educational programs to address human trafficking.