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Black Women Stirring the Waters Discuss November Elections With Freedom Center Youth

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This past weekend, Black Women Stirring the Waters hosted students of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Center for a community discussion on voting in the November elections at Joyce Gordon Gallery on 14th street in downtown Oakland. 

 

A full gallery of all ages shared deep and thoughtful questions with Freedom Center young people who spent 35 days of their summer in Bakersfield, Arvin and Lamont in the Central Valley of California where only 5 percent of the electorate votes.

 

The majority of the voters in the Central Valley are workers, principally dealing with agriculture and farm labor.

 

The young people shared stories of going door-to-door, encountering resistance to voting, having conversations with other young people, and the strength and encouragement they got from elders like Dolores Huerta and Dr. Roy Wilson.

 

They shared their convictions that democracy cannot be healthy if all who can vote do not do it, calling voting the entry-level class of democracy.

 

David Gaines, a junior at Alameda Science and Technology Institute and a Freedom Center organizer with several Black churches in Oakland, reminded audience members that even if residents are not able to vote, there is still work that can be done.

 

“I’m 16 years old and I can’t vote. But I have a mother who can vote and a 19-yearold brother who can vote, aunts and uncles, neighbors and folks at my church who can vote,” said Gaines.

 

“This is not only about if we can vote or not. Ask yourself, what are you doing to get everyone you know who can vote to vote?”

 

The Freedom Center emphasizes the need for cross generational, diverse community efforts that bring the strengths of all community members into a shared, collective endeavor. In this case, it’s getting out the vote. The event on Sunday was a powerful example of that.

 

“I am deeply inspired by the students and staff from the Martin Luther King Freedom Center,” said Mina Wilson, a second generation Black Women Stirring the Waters member and current Vision Committee member.

 

“The students realize that there is wisdom in cross-cultural and cross-generational engagement and that making humanity our focus is key as we move to make positive, sustainable change in our families, communities, nation and the world,” Wilson said.

 

For more information on the Freedom Center, please call 510-434-3988.

Activism

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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To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

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District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones
District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing.  Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

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Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.
Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.” 

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm. 

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.

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