Activism

Oakland City Council Deals Blow to Emerald New Deal –

“The Emerald New Deal is a historic ordinance that will fulfill some of the promises made when we first legalized marijuana and established the cannabis program. We are doing this not just for those who have suffered, but also for those who continue to deal with the effects of broken families and trauma, and for our future generations,” said Gamila Abdelhahim. “We now turn to all other City Council representatives and ask them to acknowledge the harm that has been caused, be in this monumental moment with us, and vote to lift our future generations.”

Published

4 years ago

July 18, 2022

Oakland Post

Some participants in the Emerald New Deal "END HARM" press conference at the Oakland City Hall (Left to Right) Ale Esparza, Gamila Abdelhalim, Councilmember Reid, Councilmember Taylor, Sara Chakri photo courtesy of Kiana Gums.

Rejects Plan to Bring $160M Into Black, Brown Communities

By Post Staff

The Oakland City Council voted Tuesday to deny placing the community-driven Emerald New Deal (END) on the upcoming November ballot. The proposed ballot measure was designed to funnel 100% of the city’s cannabis tax revenue to Black and Brown communities in East and West Oakland.

According to councilmembers Noel Gallo, Treva Reid and Loren Taylor, who all supported it, END’s plan would help repair the damage caused by the War on Drugs. Gallo, who grew up in Oakland, also urged the Council to make a serious commitment to supporting jobs, affordable housing and support for the formerly incarcerated residents.

Despite all councilmembers claiming to be progressive and supportive of the Black and Brown community, only three of them voted in support of this community-led initiative. “No” votes came from Councilmembers Sheng Thao and Carroll Fife, while Dan Kalb and Nikki Fortunato Bas abstained.

In a response to the City Council’s denial of the Emerald New Deal proposal the supporters held a press conference at City Hall to express their frustration. Over the next 20 years, the Emerald New Deal, funded by an estimated $160 million in cannabis taxes, could have improved the lives of thousands of Oakland residents by supporting affordable housing, re-entry services, workforce development, and other restitution efforts.

“This temporary setback does not mean our work is done,” declared Taylor during Wednesday’s press conference. “There is no excuse for rejecting the Emerald New Deal except a desire to maintain the status quo and keep Black people oppressed. Having a pool of $160 million in cannabis tax revenue over the next 20 years could have healed a lot of lives, housed a lot of people, and righted a lot of wrongs – especially in the Black community.”

One community group supporting the amendment is Emerald New Deal Healing And Reparations Measure or END HARM.

“The END HARM community coalition’s call to action will rise beyond the five Council votes needed to advance the Emerald New Deal ballot measure,” said Councilmember Treva Reid, who represents District 7. “The community will remain actively involved with us to organize and mobilize support to overcome the racially inequitable impacts of the War on Drugs and decades of devastating outcomes in East and West Oakland communities

Reid said city leaders must increase targeted and intentional measures to restore communities from the “crippling effect of disinvestment, systemic injustice, and racial disparities. City Council must prioritize well-funded measures that help to deliver a just, equitable, and resilient recovery for all Oaklanders.”

END HARM organizer Charles Reed is a returning family member who saw a need in his community but left his “first fight of shaping public policy battered and bruised from baseless accusations.

“For me, this was an education in Oakland politics,” Reed continued. “Now, I understand why normal people steer clear of politics. The thing is…I’m not a normal person, I’m a community organizer who believes that the people’s voices should be heard!”

END HARM’s goal is to register 5,000 returning family members to vote in the November election. “We need to register and express the power to affect policy for the People!” said Reed.

Emerald New Deal supporters announced that they will continue to fight to get placed on the ballot.

Councilmembers Taylor and Reid joined community advocates Deacon Hellen Harvey, Gamila Abdelhahim, and John Jones III, to demonstrate their full support of END HARM charter amendment. They note that the War on Drugs, which, in Oakland, led to over 12,655 individual arrests for cannabis offenses between 1995 and 2015 with 77% of those incarcerated being Black and 15% being LatinX. Supporters of END HARM anticipate more than $12 million being allocated to support social equity investments, including but not limited to:

Reentry programs and support for the formerly incarcerated;
Community-based mental health services;
Affordable and transitional housing access; and,
Workforce development and training.
Cannabis Equity Program participants (business owners impacted by the war on drugs)

Reid said that END grew out of community organizing in Sobrante Park in District 7, which has a population of 65,000 people, 80% of which are Black and Brown neighbors struggling under the weight of decades of racism, disparities, inequities, and disinvestment.

“As national support rises for the decriminalization of cannabis use, we must ensure the Cannabis Business Tax revenue is dedicated to benefitting historically impacted Black and Brown communities,” Reid said.

The Emerald New Deal is already endorsed by more than 40 local organizations, including the Black Cultural Zone, Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Urban Strategies Council, Spiritwurx and West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project. Community advocates who are leading the effort to mobilize city wide support, emphasize how significant the impact it will have on Oaklanders who are healing from the War on Drugs.

Community organizer John Jones III asserted, “As it relates to the War on Drugs, it is not enough to simply acknowledge and/or apologize, but rather provide restitution and reparations for the harm inflicted upon the Black and Brown community”

“…Now that marijuana is legalized, it is only right that the very system that over-criminalized cannabis usage in certain areas, gives back to those same communities,” said Taylor. “I am grateful for Councilmembers Reid and Gallo who agree and have joined me in uplifting this legislation. I look forward to seeing the transformational impact it has on our community.”

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Agricultural Engineer Effie Gant Plans Bay Area Farmers Market Initiative

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2026

bpusa-syndication

Agricultural Engineer Effie Gant displays watermelons from her Sacramento farm at the Temescal Festival in Oakland. Photo by Carla Thomas.

In her 80s and still actively working as an agricultural engineer, Effie Gant continues to break barriers in urban farming and community leadership.

The certified USDA grower and respected urban farmer, based in South Sacramento, was recently spotted vending at the Freedom Farmers’ Market by the Temescal Street Fair on Saturday, July 11, where she proudly displayed dozens of sweet, juicy watermelons.

Festivalgoers gathered not only to purchase her produce but also to enjoy activities like the popular watermelon-eating contest. Yet beyond the festive atmosphere, Gant has a larger vision.

Gant is now setting her sights on the Bay Area, where she plans to launch a farmers’ market to increase access to fresh, locally grown food.

Known for her leadership in sustainable agriculture and food justice, she brings decades of hands-on experience and community advocacy to regions where food access remains inconsistent.

She has built a strong reputation through her work with Meadowview Urban Farm and the Yisrael Family Urban Farm, cultivating crops such as watermelons, honeydew melons, and collard greens. Her approach emphasizes sustainability, education, and empowering residents to grow their own food, even in small urban spaces.

As a USDA-certified grower, Gant blends technical expertise with grassroots engagement to combat food insecurity.

Beyond farming, Gant serves as CEO and President of Highways to Hedges, a nonprofit focused on environmental justice and community development. She is also president of the Hampton Station Neighborhood Association and board chairman for HHCORE, where she advocates for safety, equity, and economic opportunity.

Her proposed farmers market will connect small-scale farmers with urban communities while elevating Black farmers and other underrepresented growers.

“I want to teach the next generation about farming and how lucrative it can be,” Gant said. “You don’t need hundreds of acres. You can start with one acre or even your backyard.”Gant also noted her involvement in a collective of farmers who supply produce through government-supported programs.

“We operate as a team, and we all benefit,” she said.

Through workshops, speaking engagements, and hands-on training, Gant and her organization continue to educate communities about agriculture and food justice. Her market initiative will emphasize affordability, cultural relevance, and nutrition education.

Her broader work includes creating edible forests in partnership with Soil Born Farms, planting fruit trees directly in neighborhoods to expand food access. As a mentor with the Center of Expertise on Food Justice and Health Equity, Gant remains a leading voice in building sustainable and resilient food systems.

Gant says she welcomes the community to join her in creating a new farmer’s market.

“Farming is essential to life,” she said. “I want to train as many people as I can to use food and farming as a tool for empowerment, health, and long-term change.”

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Oakland Post: Week of July 15 – 21, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 15 – 21, 2026

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2026

Oakland Post

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From Disparity Study to Solutions: Oakland Coalition and Mayor Barbara Lee Renew Commitment to Reform City Contracting

She committed to ensuring the coalition has direct access to City leadership by designating Assistant Deputy City Administrator Chuck Baker the primary liaison. Working alongside Deputy City Administrator Sofia Navarro, DWES Director Emylene Aspilla, Race and Equity Director Darlene Flynn, and other City departments, the coalition will continue advancing these priorities while maintaining regular communication with City leadership.

Published

5 days ago

July 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Present at the recent meeting on implementing recommendations on Oakland’s Disparity Study on city work contracts were (first row, l. to r.): Chuck Baker, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and Darlene Flynn. Second row, l. to r.) Samuel Adams, Erica Astrella, Chadwick Spell, Cathy Adams, Stanley Cooper, Maria Wagner, Len Turner, Derek Barnes, Paul Cobb. Photo courtesy of Oakland Mayor’s Office.

Special to The Post

On June 30, a coalition of minority business leaders, contractors and others met with Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee to discuss the City’s commitment to implement recommendations outlined in Oakland’s Disparity Study and eliminate barriers that have historically prevented Black and minority-owned businesses from fully participating in public contracting opportunities.

Representatives of the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC), National Association of Minority Contractors Northern California (NAMC NorCal), Construction Resource Center (CRC), and the East Bay Rental Housing Association (EBRHA) said the meeting represented an important milestone in a process that has been underway for several months.

On April 21, the Oakland City Council’s Life Enrichment Committee received a progress report from the Department of Workplace and Employment Standards (DWES), where Director Emylene Aspilla presented the coalition’s working document and outlined a collaborative implementation plan between the coalition and the City. That report established 30-, 60-, and 90-day objectives focused on five key priorities:

Reforming Local and Small Local Business Enterprise (L/SLBE) waiver practices
Strengthening prompt payment compliance
Improving procurement forecasting and transparency
Expanding contractor capacity building and business development
Increasing oversight, accountability, and public reporting

A series of working sessions was scheduled between coalition representatives, DWES, and the City Administrator’s Office to begin implementing those priorities but were temporarily delayed by the resignation of former City Administrator Jestin Johnson.

Rather than allowing that momentum to stall, OAACC President and CEO Cathy Adams requested a meeting with Lee to gain clarity on the City’s direction and reaffirm its commitment to implementing the recommendations contained within the Disparity Study.

Coalition leaders described the meeting as productive, candid, collaborative, and encouraging.

During the meeting, Lee spoke not only from her role as mayor but also from her experience as an 8(a) contractor and business owner, sharing that she understands firsthand what it takes to build and grow a successful company, employ a substantial workforce, compete for public work, and navigate the complexities of municipal contracting.

Mayor Lee also expressed her commitment to personally participate in future working meetings with the coalition.

“This meeting represents a renewed commitment to partnership,” said Adams. “Mayor Lee listened, engaged, and demonstrated that she wants to move beyond conversation and into implementation.”

CRC’s Len Turner said the roadmap is already in place. ““The City already has the evidence. What’s been missing is execution. …Now it’s time to deliver results.”

Mario Wagner, president of NAMC NorCal agreed that the next phase must focus on implementation, funding, and accountability.

“The coalition is ready to get to work. …The next step is ensuring these initiatives receive meaningful funding in the upcoming fiscal budget cycle. Just as important, the City must establish transparent reporting mechanisms that keep the public informed through regular progress reports, measurable benchmarks, and accountability.”

Coalition leaders also acknowledged that while City leadership has indicated it is reviewing Local and Small Local Business Enterprise waiver practices, the community continues to seek a formal response regarding existing long-term waivers, including waivers extending 10 and 25 years. The coalition believes those waivers should be comprehensively reviewed and, where appropriate, rolled back as part of the City’s broader contracting reforms.

The coalition is also calling on the City to include meaningful funding in the upcoming fiscal budget cycle to support implementation of the Disparity Study recommendations and establish better methods and mechanisms to keep the public informed through regular progress reports, measurable benchmarks, and transparent accountability.

The coalition’s immediate next step is to schedule a working meeting with Baker, Aspilla, Lee, and the appropriate City staff to review what has already been accomplished under the implementation framework.