Events

Congresswoman Lee Commemorates MLK’s Legacy

Published

12 years ago

April 10, 2014

Congresswoman Barbara Lee joined hundreds of celebrants to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination and mark the reopening of the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn. Below are her remarks from the occasion:

First, thank you for inviting me to be with you at this hallowed ground where years ago, our drum mayor for justice was so tragically taken from us.

“We gather to celebrate and commemorate the man and the movement that changed the soul of America, shattered legal segregation and provided opportunities for many. If not for the movement, I would not be here as the 99th African American member of Congress working side by side with giants such as Congressman John Lewis.

“I’d also like to recognize my great colleague Steve Cohen, your incredible representative from Memphis, my friend since the early 70’s., Dr. Amy Bailey, a great preacher, my friend, Bishop Brown, and to all of you, my brothers and sisters.

“To stand here today fills with me with tremendous pride and humility.”

April 4, 1968 changed my life forever. Like everyone I was shocked, saddened, and angry. Dr. King’s tragic death brought vivid memories of my childhood in segregated El, Paso Texas.

“And also reminded me that I must do more to fight the triple evils of poverty, racism, and militarism of which Dr. King so boldly spoke exactly one year before his assassination-April 4, 1967 in his speech Beyond Vietnam at Riverside Church in New York.

“I remembered my dad, a military officer, who served in World War II and the Korean War, being turned away at restaurants, in his uniform and with his family because we were black.

“And I remembered the segregated public schools when I was a child, the “colored only” water fountains and my mother and father-again in his uniform-being told they could not buy a house where they wanted to live because of the color of their skin.

A group of Kids prepare to march along side Congresswoman Lee’s car for the MLK parade.

“As a proud community worker with the Black Panther Party, I helped challenge the oppression of the poor and people of color and had the privilege to work for Bobby Seal, who is here today, as a fundraiser when he ran for mayor of Oakland.

“That paved the way for Oakland’s first Black Mayor, our beloved the late Lionel Wilson. The Black Panther Party challenged the status quo and was the first to establish a free breakfast program for children which was the precursor for the federal government’s breakfast program. Bobby, I salute your bold leadership.

“While serving as the President of the Black Student Union at Mills College, I met my mentor, the first African American woman elected to Congress, our champion Shirley Chisholm. She was the first woman and first African American to run a serious campaign for President.

“She inspired me to register to vote, help lead the Northern California President Campaign with the Black Panther Party and go to the Democratic Party convention as a Shirley Chisholm delegate.

“Without Shirley Chisholm and many courageous civil and human rights leaders, including Rev. Jesse Jackson, President Barack Obama would not be our commander in chief today.

“In 1967, Dr. MLK said:

“The bombs in Vietnam explode at home. They destroy the hopes and possibilities for a decent America.”

“His words rang clear when after the horrific attacks of 9-11, Congress was asked to give President Bush and any President a blank check to wage war. Although very difficult, I ended up as the only vote against this open-ended war resolution.

“Later on, I saw our beloved Coretta Scott King, who graciously hugged me and said, “I’m certain Martin would be proud. That was the right vote.” I am still humbled by those words.

“And so today, I am also joined by my remarkable grandsons, Joshua and Jonah Lee and several brilliant young people from Oakland’s Martin Luther King Freedom Center and Dr. Norma Ambriz-Galavez from our designated predominately black institution, Merritt College in Oakland, to thank the foot soldiers and heroes and she-roes of the movement, commemorate the 50th Anniversary of so many milestones in our march toward freedom.

“We come today to recommit ourselves to the struggle for a more perfect union. Yes, for freedom, forward, and to once and for all, rid our country and the world of poverty, racism, and militarism.

“In the words of my favorite gospel, “I ain’t no way tired. We’ve come too far from where we started from. Nobody told me the road would be easy-I can’t believe he brought me this far to leave me.”

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Oakland Post: Week of February 11 = 17, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 11 – 17, 2026

Published

6 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Oakland Post

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Community Celebrates Turner Group Construction Company as Collins Drive Becomes Turner Group Drive

The event drew family, friends, and longtime supporters of Turner Group Construction, along with a host of dignitaries. The mood was joyful and warm, filled with hugs, handshakes and belated New Year’s greetings. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and a festive display of gourmet cupcakes as they conversed about the street sign reveal.

Published

6 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

The Turner Construction group members.

By Carla Thomas

It was a family affair on Friday, Jan. 23, at the corner of Hegenberger Road and Collins Drive in East Oakland as community members, local leaders, and elected officials gathered to celebrate the renaming of Collins Drive to Turner Group Drive. The renaming saluted the Turner Group’s 45-plus years of economic development and community investment.

Special guests included former Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, veteran broadcaster Valerie Coleman-Morris, Chevron Senior Public Affairs Representative Andrea Bailey, community leaders Cephus “Uncle Bobby” Johnson and Beatrice “Aunt Bea” Johnson of the Oscar Grant Foundation, and Oakland City Councilmembers Ken Houston, Carroll Fife, and Kevin Jenkins. Members of WEBCORE, the Nor Cal Carpenters Union, the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), Swinerton and Alten construction companies, activists Elaine Brown and David Newton, and many others joined the celebration.

Inside the event tent, an emotional Oakland City Councilmember Ken Houston spoke of his deep connection to the Turner family.

“I grew up on the same street with the Turners,” he said. “When my father passed away, their parents and siblings embraced me like family. This is our city, and it’s an honor to name this street Turner Group Drive because of the love and effort this company and family have given. Many dreams came out of this building. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Turners.”

Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, whose father once taught the Turner brothers, added, “Len Turner is an amazing person. He’ll help anyone.”

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee praised the company’s legacy, noting its creation of the Construction Resource Center, which trains and mentors the next generation of builders and developers through partnerships across the region. “This is a great day for Oakland and a profound acknowledgment of the Turner Group’s contribution to our community,” she said.

Fife echoed that sentiment: “This is a day for celebrating Black excellence. The Turner Group has poured into people and the community, showing us what’s possible.”

Among the many family members in attendance was the Turners’ 92-year-old patriarch, whose presence underscored the strength of the family’s legacy.

A touching highlight of the event came when Coleman-Morris was honored for her lasting mentorship of LaTanya Hawkins, now program manager of the Construction Resource Center. In 1979, Hawkins, then a fourth-grader, wrote Coleman-Morris a letter seeking advice. Coleman responded with words of encouragement that inspired Hawkins to pursue her dreams. The two stayed in touch for decades. On stage, they embraced as Coleman reflected on “the power of small acts of kindness to change a life.”

Coleman-Morris also shared reflections on leadership and community spirit, saying, “If we change the way we look at things, the things we see will change.” She then recited the Serenity Prayer, reminding the crowd, “We are a powerful community, we just need to believe it.”

Company leaders Len and Lance Turner closed the ceremony with words of gratitude and humor. Len thanked his mother, wife, family, legal team, and longtime supporters including Carson, Geoffrey Pete, and the late Dorothy King of Everett & Jones Barbecue. He also acknowledged the challenges the company had overcome, saying, “Without all of this support, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Through Turner Group Construction and the Construction Resource Center, the Turners have created new opportunities for underrepresented groups in the construction industry and continue to inspire the next generation of builders.

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Cracking Down on Human Trafficking, California DOJ Announces 120 Arrests

According to the California DOJ, 87 arrests were made for loitering, 25 for solicitation, and eight for pimping and pandering. Officials said the operation focused on reducing demand for commercial sexual exploitation while prioritizing a survivor-centered approach.

Published

6 days ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Jan. 26 that 120 people were arrested during a coordinated, multi-county law enforcement operation aimed at disrupting human trafficking and connecting survivors with support services.

The arrests stem from Operation Stand On Demand, a six-day effort conducted from Jan. 19 through Jan. 24 across San Diego, Sacramento, Tulare, and Fresno counties. It involved more than a dozen state and local law enforcement agencies working together to target individuals involved in sex trafficking, including traffickers and buyers.

“This operation reflects an ongoing commitment by California law enforcement to target those who fuel trafficking and exploitation,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta.

“It’s a coordinated, multi-county law enforcement effort focused on disrupting sex trafficking, holding perpetrators accountable, and connecting survivors with support,” said Bonta.

San Diego County accounted for the majority of enforcement activity during the operation. District Attorney Summer Stephan said law enforcement agencies worked around the clock to identify and arrest individuals attempting to purchase sex.

“Our officers, in less than one week during this operation, took action, not words, by working around the clock and arresting and citing 105 people who thought that they were going to go out and buy a human being like they’re a hamburger or a slice of pizza,” Stephan said.

San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez chimed in.

“Communities like Santee and San Marcos, which were part of this operation, face unique vulnerabilities tied to transportation routes, student populations, and employment opportunities,” she said.

Bonta said the arrests are part of broader statewide efforts to combat human trafficking. Since 2021, the Attorney General’s Office said its human trafficking task forces have led to more than 900 arrests and connected more than 1,000 survivors to services and resources.

“Human trafficking is a complex, devastating crime, but when we work together, we can make a real difference, and this operation is proof positive of that fact,” Bonta said.

California DOJ officials said similar operations will continue as part of the state’s ongoing strategy to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable communities.