Bay Area
Norge Laundry & Cleaning Needs Community Support
Norge has survived the pandemic and needs community help. Please drop by, share and contribute at www.gofundme.com/f/help-norge-village-through-coronavirus

Norge Laundry & Cleaning Village has been a fixture of the Oakland scene since 1982. The establishment has been woman owned since 2000 when Genny Bruggen purchased it and Black co-owned since 2004 when Lorene Howard bought in.
Norge Village is located at 3908 Grand Ave, open 7 days a week from about 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Norge never shut down during the pandemic although some customers thought they were closed, and business declined dramatically. Bruggen says: “Folks needed to wash coronavirus clothes.”
And wash and fold and dry clean, too.
The two owners don’t use computers much and have tried to do grants and loans, but applying for help has been challenging. They did receive an SBA loan which is nearly gone. In the interim, equipment needs to be fixed, and rent and utilities need to be paid.
Currently, Norge is four months behind in rent and also behind in PG&E and water bills, and they want to repair equipment and add dry cleaning.
Customers are dropping by and helping out by donating in an envelope to their “GoFund me” so Norge can continue to grow its business and make up for revenue lost during the pandemic.
Norge has survived the pandemic and needs community help. Please drop by, share and contribute at www.gofundme.com/f/help-norge-village-through-coronavirus
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025

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Activism
Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) expressed deep gratitude to her constituents and marked the end of her 26-year career in public service.
Lee, who is succeeded by Lateefah Simon, a civil rights and racial justice activist, praised people in her community for their support. She also highlighted her dedication to promoting peace, justice, and equity.
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.
Throughout her tenure, Lee earned a reputation as a principled lawmaker known for taking bold and sometimes unpopular stances. One of her defining moments came in 2001 when she was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in response to the September 11 attacks. This decision led to death threats but ultimately cemented her legacy of courage.
Lee’s leadership extended beyond her district, where she fought for social justice, the rights of low-income communities, and global health initiatives. She was a key figure in pushing for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She was a vocal critic of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services.
The Congresswoman also faced significant challenges in her career, including a failed Senate bid in 2024. Yet, Lee’s efforts have paved the way for more excellent representation, with more Black women now elected to Congress. She worked closely with organizations like Representation Matters to encourage more women of color to run for office.
Lee says she looks to the future, confident that the next generation of leaders will continue her unfinished work, particularly on issues like military force and reproductive rights.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of February 5 – 11, 2025
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