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Controversy Continues Despite State Law Requiring Vaccinations

Published

11 years ago

September 28, 2015

By Nikolas Zelinski

The controversy over the safety of vaccinations has ramped up since the signing of SB277, which requires parents to vaccinate their children if they are to attend public or private schools in California.

The law, which goes into effect next July, bars opting out of required immunizations because of religious or personal beliefs, but maintains medical exemption from a doctor.

Opponents of the law are determined and reaching out for public support. On the other side are medical and health experts who say the anti-vaccination arguments are fallacious and have been discredited.

Oakland Board of Education Member Jumoke Hinton Hodge, who supported the passage of SB277, held a public meeting last week at the school district’s boardroom in response to anti-vaccination groups, hosted by Our Kids Our Choice, a group that is opposed to the law.

The hearing room was packed. Many of the speakers said their children were completely healthy until they were vaccinated.

Much of the opposition was based on the work of Dr. William Thompson, described as a whistleblower from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who alleges the CDC covered up evidence about vaccine injury.

Dr. Thompson said he was told by his superiors to suppress information about the link between autism and vaccines.

Panel member and biochemical engineer Dr. Brian Hooker – father of a vaccine injured child and who has had extended dialogue with Dr. Thompson – said that rates of vaccine injury are highest amongst African Americans.

Black boys were 3.36 times more likely to develop autism if they have received the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine before 36 months of age, compared to those who received it after 36 months, Hooker explained.

“There is strong evidence in scientific literature that suggests African Americans may be more susceptible to vaccine injury, and neurological injuries such as autism,” Hooker said.

“In terms of vaccine injury, let me be clear, I’m not anti-vaccine. I want safer vaccines that can protect children. I want populations that are vulnerable to vaccine injury to be identified and protected as well,” Hooker added.

However, the work of Dr. Thompson and Dr. Hooker’s findings have been debunked, according to Joan Edelstein, an instructor at University of San Francisco’s Nursing MEPN program and former Health Services Coordinator at Oakland Unified School District (OUSD).

According to Edelstein, Dr. Hooker’s 2014 study of autism in young African Americans published in the peer-reviewed journal “Translational Neurodegeneration” was quickly retracted by the editors.

“…(The) editors no longer have confidence in the soundness of the findings,” according to the journal’s website.

Other studies linking autism to vaccination have been debunked and retracted as well, including work by Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who was the predecessor to Hooker, added Edelstein.

African American organizations have also been adamantly opposed to the arguments raised by Dr. Hooker and others, said Edelstein, pointing to an open letter endorsed by the California Black Health Network, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Charles R. Drew Medical Society, Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations, and the California chapter of the NAACP.

“Our organizations denounce assertions that vaccination of Black children would be another Tuskegee experiment,” the letter says. “We take issue with fear mongering and spreading of misinformation about the efficacy of vaccination. There is no doubt that vaccines save lives. There is no reputable science that suggests Black children or boys are more at risk for any diseases because of vaccination.”

Edelstein explained that the reason parents may believe that vaccinations caused autism is due to the temporal quality of assessment, as most autism diagnoses are made during the same time period as the first sets of vaccinations.

Allergies are the biggest viable health concern when it comes to vaccines, said Edelstein.

In response, an OUSD spokesperson said, “On behalf of the school district, we believe that this is an appropriate health measure, and we are going to comply with the law.”

“The science is very clear on this issue,” according to the district spokesperson. “We intend to follow what global experts have established and at the same time recognize there are sceptics, and people question the research. We will continue to work with the community- continue to hear their stories, grievances, and criticisms. And try to disseminate as much information as possible so that people can understand the science.”

Director Hinton Hodge said she hopes the school board can take up this issue in an official meeting.

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New Protections for Ticket Buyers: Gov. Newsom Signs Assemblymember Isaac Bryan’s Bill

OAKLAND POST — Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

Published

5 days ago

October 4, 2026

Post News Group

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights). File photo.

By California Black Media Staff

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation on Sept. 27 authored by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Ladera Heights) that strengthens consumer protections for Californians purchasing tickets to concerts, sporting events and other live entertainment.

Assembly Bill 1349 expands state regulation of original ticket sellers, resellers and online resale marketplaces. The law targets deceptive sales practices, ticket-buying software and speculative listings — tickets advertised for sale by sellers who do not possess them or have authorization to sell them.

“Buying a ticket shouldn’t come with hidden risks or unfair practices,” Newsom wrote on social media after signing the measure.

Under AB 1349, ticket sellers are prohibited from listing tickets before they have been officially released unless they have authorization or a legally enforceable right to receive them. Online marketplaces must also take reasonable steps to prevent speculative ticket sales on their platforms.

The law prohibits sellers from using bots, multiple accounts, email addresses or internet protocol addresses to circumvent ticket limits, presale restrictions, electronic queues and other controls. It also bans websites and advertisements designed to mislead buyers into believing they are purchasing tickets from an authorized seller, venue or event organizer.

Sellers who violate certain provisions and fail to provide a promised ticket may be held liable for twice the ticket’s contracted price. Buyers may also recover nonrefundable expenses incurred while attempting to attend an event, along with reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs.

Pastor Tecoy Porter Sr., president of the National Action Network’s Sacramento chapter, said the law establishes needed accountability.

“Buying a ticket to a concert or show shouldn’t mean entering a marketplace where the rules are stacked against you. This year, we worked with a coalition of consumers, civil rights advocates, community groups, and businesses to make AB 1349 stronger. Consumers deserve enforceable rules that protect them. We thank Assemblymember Bryan for his leadership, and we will keep working to make ticketing fair for every Californian.”

Jose L. Barrera, national vice president for the Far West Region of the League of United Latin American Citizens, also praised the measure.

“Californian families deserve certain protections when they buy tickets. Assemblymember Bryan listened to communities across California and delivered a bill that puts fans first. We thank him and Governor Newsom for making it law.”

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Zakiya Jendayi Arrested, Locked Out of Home by Sheriff’s Deputies

OALAND POST — On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi as she left her residence of 13 years to file documents in her case at the Appellate Court. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita Jail.

Published

5 days ago

October 4, 2026

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By Tanya Dennis

Yesterday, more than 10 Alameda County Sheriff’s deputies arrived to take possession of Zakiya Jendayi’s home on behalf of a court-appointed administrator. Jendayi was arrested at the courthouse and transported to Santa Rita Jail around the same time.

Jendayi, who has been embroiled in a probate court battle to retain the inheritance bestowed on her by a longtime friend and colleague who passed away in 2013, had received a notice of eviction last month.

With help from neighbors, friends and clergy, she was able to fend off the eviction from 3614 Randolph Ave. in Oakland and even obtained a reprieve when her bid to file bankruptcy was approved by a county court.

But Philip Campbell, the court-appointed administrator, had already placed Jendayi’s home in his name in October 2025.

On Tuesday, deputies followed Jendayi when she left her residence of 13 years to go to the Appellate Court to file documents in her case. Deputies arrested her upon arrival and transported her to Santa Rita jail.

Undersheriff April Luckett-Fahini said Jendayi was arrested for “safety reasons.” At this time, it is unknown what charges were used for the arrest.

In Jendayi’s absence, Campbell came to her residence accompanied by deputies, had the property taped off with yellow crime tape, and had the locks changed.

Afterward, Campbell requested a police escort to his car amid several angry neighbors who had been advocating that officials pause the eviction pending Jendayi’s appeal.

“Zakiya Jendayi is a respected Black elder in our community,” said Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas, who has been working with Jendayi to prevent her eviction. “It’s outrageous that she was arrested. There needs to be more justice and equity in our probate system.”

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Ask California: Golden State Releases New AI Chatbot

Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced the prototype as part of the state’s broader effort to use artificial intelligence to make government services easier to access. The launch follows his March 2026 executive order directing state agencies to responsibly implement generative AI while protecting privacy, security and civil liberties.

Published

2 weeks ago

September 22, 2026

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California has launched AskCA, a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to help residents find and navigate state and local government services through a single online platform.

Developed by the state’s Office of Data and Innovation, AskCA is designed around major life events rather than individual government agencies. Californians can use the tool to find information about finding a job, starting a business, accessing family services and recovering from disasters.

“When a Californian needs help, they shouldn’t have to become an expert in government to find it,” said Newsom. “We’re using the best technology California has to offer to make the government more efficient, effective, and more engaged.”

The state is now seeking Californians age 18 and older to participate in the pilot and help test and refine AskCA’s responses. Officials said subject matter experts across state governments are helping inform the chatbot’s answers, which are designed to draw from verified government sources and provide actionable information.

The prototype grew out of California’s response to the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Early testing included more than 140 fire recovery leaders and Altadena wildfire survivors, a dozen job seekers and more than 100 general users.

Jeffery Marino, director of the Office of Data and Innovation, said the tool is intended to remove the need for residents to understand how government agencies are organized before they can get help.

“Californians should not have to understand how the government is organized just to get basic help,” Marino said.

AskCA’s technology will also be used in a new job-skills matching feature that the California Department of Human Resources plans to launch Sept. 30 on CalCareers. Job seekers will be able to upload a resume and receive potential matches to state job classifications.

The state said the CalCareers pilot will not store personal information or require users to have a CalCareers account. California plans to continue testing AskCA as officials evaluate its accuracy, performance and usefulness before expanding the system.