Bay Area

Former Prisoners, Advocates Hold Solitary Confinement Symposium at CSU Fullerton

On July 7 and 8, the California Families Against Solitary Confinement (CFASC) held a symposium at California State University at Fullerton to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the historic agreement to end hostilities among inmates and to mark the three hunger strikes that occurred at the Pelican Bay State Prison from 2011-2012.

Published

10 months ago

July 20, 2023

Oakland Post

(l-r) Richard Johnson, Eddie Burnett, Jamala Taylor, George Villa, Ryan Flaco (Right side). Johnson and Burnett, coincidentally inhabited prison cells adjacent to each other. Now they are still side-by-side on the issue of the formerly incarcerated giving back to their communities. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones

How the Mexican Mafia, Nuestra Familia, Black Guerrilla Family (BGF), and Aryan Brotherhood’s agreement to end hostilities against each other in prison could also be applied on the streets with gangs.

By Richard Johnson

On July 7 and 8, the California Families Against Solitary Confinement (CFASC) held a symposium at California State University at Fullertonto celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the historic agreement to end hostilities among inmates and to mark the three hunger strikes that occurred at the Pelican Bay State Prison from 2011-2012.

This symposium provided the opportunity for the families, victims, supporters, and for all those who made the hunger strike and agreement to cease hostilities a success. Former inmates recounted experiences of solitary confinement. The lawyers, therapists, psychologists, and support personnel spoke about how the strike and the agreement to end hostilities helped to make a positive paradigm change for the inmates and their families.

As a panelist, I spoke of how I was victimized by being held in solitary confinement for nearly 20 years because I was labeled a “gang member,” and referred to as “the worst of the worst.”

But I emphatically pointed out that many of those who had suffered and endured, as I did, are now out in society, making a change for the betterment of society and their families. They are proving that, when given a chance, they can make positive contributions.

I was even impressed by the magnitude of success that so many of my formerly incarcerated colleagues have achieved. There are so many with advanced college degrees and PhDs while others are attending universities such as Columbia, UC Berkeley, UC Fullerton, University of Southern California, and many others. If given the chance, both women and men can ascend out of hopelessness and despair to become better versions of themselves.

Jules Lobel, a professor of law at the University of Pittsburgh, was the main speaker at the symposium. He was given the honor to give the keynote address because he was the lead attorney for the hunger strikers as well as the main litigator before the federal courts. Lobel has written several books and numerous legal articles for Harvard, Cornell, Oxford and many other institutions of higher learning. (https://ccrjustice.org/node/4464)

I am grateful to all participants and especially to Dolores Canalis who organized this event with her husband Jack Morris. I want to thank unsung heroes and sheroes that we owe a debt of gratitude for their support, volunteerism and prayers.

They include; Danny Murillo, Azadeh Zohrabi of the Berkeley underground scholars; Angelica Camacho, Ph.D.; professor at San Francisco State University and a member of the California Families Against Solitary Confinement and coordinator for the Mandela Campaign; Jamala Taylor of the Inside Garden Program; Penny Schoner of Prison Activist Resource Center; panelist Marie Levin representing her brother Ronnie Dewberry (Sitawa Nantambu Jamaa) who was one of the four main people who negotiated the hunger strike as well as the litigations; my former attorney Dan Siegel and his wife Ann Weills; Post News Group and Jonathan ‘Fitness’ Jones an ambassador from the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG).

What must be mentioned is that at the onset of the hunger strike in 2011 the various formations weren’t exactly getting along, thus the first hurdle to overcome in petitioning the court for isolation relief was to open a dialogue between the formations, such as Mexican Mafia, Nuestra Familia, Black Guerrilla Family (BGF), and Aryan Brotherhood.

This took time and energy because of all the previously held positions of discord between them. As I sat there on that stage among old rivals, it gave me great pleasure to see the fruits of our labor manifested at that symposium. Who in the past could conceive such a step forward out of the rigors of prison politics?

I must mention one guy who was my next-door neighbor and a member of the Aryan Brotherhood at one time in Pelican Bay Security Housing Unit (SHU); his name was Eddie Burnett. We sat on that stage, side-by-side, participating in panel discussions, this in itself demonstrates the beauty of respect, cooperation, remarkable reconciliation, and of course persistence and understanding. Nothing is perfect yet everything is “solutionable.” The symposium clearly highlighted that fact. Where do we go from here now that a leap forward has been taken? Life can be made simple, either you win, or you don’t lose.

This symposium opens the door for us to bring an end to hostilities on the streets. If it can work in prison, it can work on the streets too.

We as a society have an obligation to at least try to make this world a better place. I feel the responsibility rests on our shoulders to do all that is necessary to make a change for the better.

Our non-profit organization, Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back (FIGB) is currently engaged in Transitional Reentry Housing Services with the Diplomat’s Center Inc. and providing mentorship, gang intervention, community safety, trauma-informed care, voter registration, and providing housing for the unhoused in collaboration with Dr. Maritony’s Life Impact for Humanity (LIFH).

FIGB, in partnership with Partners in Careers (PIC), will be advocating for and developing living-wage jobs and recreational spaces for development and technology training.

Special thanks to POST Newsgroup Publisher Paul Cobb and owner Gay Plair Cobb for being one of the first to give a substantial donation to the Formerly Incarcerated Giving Back (FIGB). And if you have been touched and/or moved to also contribute your time, resources, and/or donations to our great community efforts feel free to contact us at 1-888-711-8351 ext.1 or email us at formerlyinc.gb@gmail.com

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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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Bay Area

Mayor London Breed: State Awards San Francisco Over $37M for Affordable Housing

On April 30, Mayor London N. Breed announced San Francisco has been awarded more than $37.9 million in funding from the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) as part of the State’s Multifamily Housing Program (MHP). The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

Published

5 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

San Francisco Mayor London N. Breed (File Photo)

By Oakland Post Staff

The HCD loan will provide the final funding necessary for development of Casa Adelante – 1515 South Van Ness, a 168-unit affordable housing project located in San Francisco’s Mission District.

The new development at 1515 South Van Ness Ave. will provide 168 affordable homes to low-income families, formerly homeless families, and persons living with HIV earning between 25-80% of the San Francisco Area Median Income (AMI).

In addition, the project is anticipated to provide family-friendly amenities and ground floor community-serving commercial spaces that preserve the prevailing neighborhood character of the Calle 24 Latino Cultural District.

“This funding unlocks our ability to move on building affordable housing units for families in San Francisco at a crucial time. We understand the level of need for more housing that is accessible, and like the state, the city continues to face a challenging budget cycle,” said Breed. “1515 South Van Ness is a good example of what can be achieved in San Francisco when you have strong community partnerships and an unwavering commitment to deliver on critical needs for our residents.”

“From the beginning of my term as Supervisor, I have fought to bring affordable housing to 1515 South Van Ness” said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. “In the interim, the site has been utilized for homeless services and shelter, and I am thrilled that HCD has recognized the value of this development, and we are finally ready to break ground and bring 168 affordable homes to low income and formerly homeless families in the Mission.”

Owned and occupied by McMillan Electric Company until 2015, the City and County of San Francisco purchased 1515 South Van Ness Avenue in June 2019 with the intent of developing new affordable housing.

In November 2020, the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development (MOHCD) released a Multi-site Request for Qualifications (RFQ) seeking qualified developers to build affordable housing on the site, and subsequently selected Chinatown Community Development Corporation (CCDC) and Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA) in May 2021 to develop the site.

The project is expected to begin construction in winter 2025.

“A strong, long-term push by Mission advocates to make this site 100% affordable is now paying off, with 168 family units that include services and childcare. People of color communities know what they need, and we are excited to be in partnership with a team, consisting of MEDA, CCDC, and MOHCD, that listens,” said Malcolm Yeung, Executive Director at CCDC.

“We are excited to be in partnership with CCDC, yet again, and for the opportunity to develop intergenerational affordable housing in the City’s Mission District,” said Luis Granados, executive director at MEDA.

Increasing housing affordable to lower-income and vulnerable residents is a key priority in the City’s Housing Element which calls for additional funding for affordable housing production and preservation, as well as Mayor Breed’s Housing for All Executive Directive that sets out the steps the City will take to meet the bold goal of allowing for 82,000 new homes to be built over the next eight years.

Tuesday’s funding announcement emphasizes the importance of regional and state collaboration in order to reach our housing and climate goals.

“We are thrilled—not just to bring a project of this size to a community with great need — but to do so with community-based developers and their partners who understand the neighborhood and sensitivities around cultural preservation,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez.

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East Bay Regional Park District Issues Rattlesnake Advisory

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active. Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Published

5 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Courtesy photo.

The Richmond Standard

The East Bay Regional Park District released an advisory today on rattlesnakes, which emerge from winter hibernation in early spring and become more active.

Warm weather can bring more potential for rattlesnake encounters with humans and dogs, particularly along trails and roads.

Visitors are encouraged to avoid hiking alone in case of an emergency, to scan the ground ahead as they walk, jog or ride, stay on trails avoiding tall grass, and to look carefully around and under logs and rocks before sitting down. Keep your dog on your leash to be extra safe, park officials said.

If you encounter a rattlesnake, leave it alone – it is unlawful to capture or harm one. Move carefully and slowly away or around it and give it plenty of space, park officials said.

Those who are bitten by a rattlesnake are instructed to stay calm by lying down with the affected limb lower than the heart, then having someone call 911.

Getting medical attention is critical.

Those bitten should not use tourniquets, “sucking,” or snake bite kits. If you are by yourself, walk calmly to the nearest source of help to dial 911, do not run.

If bitten by any other type of snake, wash the wound with soap and water or an antiseptic and seek medical attention.

Not sure what bit you? Check the bite for two puncture marks (in rare cases one) associated with intense, burning pain, which is typical of a rattlesnake bite. Other snakebites can leave marks without associated burning pain.

The Northern Pacific rattlesnake is the species found in East Bay Regional Parks. Snakes are important to the natural environment, helping to control rodents and other reptile populations. But enjoy them from afar.

For more information, download the Park District’s Common Snakes brochure or watch our Gopher Snake or Rattlesnake video to learn how to tell the difference between rattlesnakes and gopher snakes. Additional information is available at ebparks.org/safety/wildlife-encounters.