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Essay: A Survivor Relives “The Strike,” a Moving Film Capturing Injustices at Pelican Bay State Prison

It was a privilege to be invited to be part of the panel for the October 9th screening of the documentary “The Strike” at Sonoma State University.
Students from Caitlin Henry’s Criminology and Justice Studies class attended, and their engagement during the event was inspiring.

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2024

Oakland Post

(L-R) Richard “Razor” Johnson, plaintiff and hunger strike survivor; JoeBill Muñoz and Lucas Guilkey, director and producer, respectively, of the Film Documentary “The Strike;” and event host Caitlin Henry, Criminology and Justice Studies Lecturer at Sonoma State University. Photo by Jonathanfitnessjones

By Richard “Razor” Johnson 

It was a privilege to be invited to be part of the panel for the October 9th screening of the documentary “The Strike” at Sonoma State University.

Students from Caitlin Henry’s Criminology and Justice Studies class attended, and their engagement during the event was inspiring.

After the screening, many students were deeply moved and had the opportunity to ask questions of the Director and Producer, JoeBill Muñoz and Lucas Guilkey, as well as myself, Richard Johnson, one of the hunger strike survivors and a panel speaker. I was one of the ten plaintiffs against the California Department of Corrections, a case that garnered the attention of the United Nations.

Some students lingered after the Q&A, expressing gratitude for raising awareness about the realities faced by those incarcerated. Their emotional responses highlighted the personal connections many have with the prison system, with some sharing experiences of relatives enduring similar conditions. It became clear that there was a significant lack of understanding about the Security Housing Units (SHU) and the stark differences between general population inmates and those confined in Pelican Bay.

On Oct. 23, the Grand Lake Theater will screen “The Strike,” a compelling documentary about Pelican Bay State Prison and the SHU. This film has received numerous accolades, including nominations for “Best Documentary” at the Imagen Awards and the Hot Docs Student Choice Award.

“The Strike” chronicles the harrowing experiences of California men subjected to decades of solitary confinement, culminating in the largest hunger strike in U.S. history. It will also be broadcast nationally on PBS’s Independent Lens in spring 2025.

This documentary is essential viewing, as it critically examines the failures of our judicial system in administering justice and the societal implications of our penal practices. It delves into the psychological torment endured by those held in isolation — many without any rule infractions — and exposes the broader victimization of individuals both inside and outside prison walls.

With over 33,000 inmates participating in the hunger strikes, the film provides an intimate exploration of the power dynamics at play, from the highest levels of state governance to the guards overseeing the units. It reveals the oppressive policies that perpetuate control and abuse within the prison system, ultimately leading to legal interventions to address these injustices.

Don’t miss this powerful documentary that challenges our perceptions of crime and punishment and highlights the resilience of those who fought for justice.

Join us on October 23 at the Grand Lake Theater at 6:30 PM. We will have Q&A at 8:00 PM after the screening with myself and some of the survivors. We look forward to your support and Tickets can be purchased online at www.renaissancerialto.com/TheStrike.php. For more information about the film, visit www.thestrikefilm.com.

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Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 4 – 10, 2026

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4 days ago

March 7, 2026

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Oakland Post: Week of February 25 – March 3, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 25 – March 3, 2026

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1 week ago

March 1, 2026

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Chase Oakland Community Center Hosts Alley-Oop Accelerator Building Community and Opportunity for Bay Area Entrepreneurs

Over the past three years, the Alley-Oop Accelerator has helped more than 20 Bay Area businesses grow, connect, and gain meaningful exposure. The program combines hands-on training, mentorship, and community-building to help participants navigate the legal, financial, and marketing challenges of small business ownership.

Published

3 weeks ago

February 21, 2026

Oakland Post

Bay Area entrepreneurs attend the Alley-Oop Accelerator, a small business incubation program at Chase Oakland Community Center. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Golden State Warriors and Chase bank hosted the third annual Alley-Oop Accelerator this month, an empowering eight-week program designed to help Bay Area entrepreneurs bring their visions for business to life.

The initiative kicked off on Feb. 12 at Chase’s Oakland Community Center on Broadway Street, welcoming 15 small business owners who joined a growing network of local innovators working to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

At its core, the accelerator is designed to create an ecosystem of collaboration, where local entrepreneurs can learn from one another while accessing the resources of a global financial institution.

“This is our third year in a row working with the Golden State Warriors on the Alley-Oop Accelerator,” said Jaime Garcia, executive director of Chase’s Coaching for Impact team for the West Division. “We’ve already had 20-plus businesses graduate from the program, and we have 15 enrolled this year. The biggest thing about the program is really the community that’s built amongst the business owners — plus the exposure they’re able to get through Chase and the Golden State Warriors.”

According to Garcia, several graduates have gone on to receive vendor contracts with the Warriors and have gained broader recognition through collaborations with JPMorgan Chase.

“A lot of what Chase is trying to do,” Garcia added, “is bring businesses together because what they’ve asked for is an ecosystem, a network where they can connect, grow, and thrive organically.”

This year’s Alley-Oop Accelerator reflects that vision through its comprehensive curriculum and emphasis on practical learning. Participants explore the full spectrum of business essentials including financial management, marketing strategy, and legal compliance, while also preparing for real-world experiences such as pop-up market events.

Each entrepreneur benefits from one-on-one mentoring sessions through Chase’s Coaching for Impact program, which provides complimentary, personalized business consulting.

Garcia described the impact this hands-on approach has had on local small business owners. He recalled one candlemaker, who, after participating in the program, was invited to provide candles as gifts at Chase events.

“We were able to help give that business exposure,” he explained. “But then our team also worked with them on how to access capital to buy inventory and manage operations once those orders started coming in. It’s about preparation. When a hiccup happens, are you ready to handle it?”

The Coaching for Impact initiative, which launched in 2020 in just four cities, has since expanded to 46 nationwide.

“Every business is different,” Garcia said. “That’s why personal coaching matters so much. It’s life-changing.”

Participants in the 2026 program will each receive a $2,500 stipend, funding that Garcia said can make an outsized difference. “It’s amazing what some people can do with just $2,500,” he noted. “It sounds small, but it goes a long way when you have a plan for how to use it.”

For Chase and the Warriors, the Alley-Oop Accelerator represents more than an educational initiative, it’s a pathway to empowerment and economic inclusion. The program continues to foster lasting relationships among the entrepreneurs who, as Garcia put it, “build each other up” through shared growth and opportunity.

“Starting a business is never easy, but with the right support, it becomes possible, and even exhilarating,” said Oscar Lopez, the senior business consultant for Chase in Oakland.