Bay Area

Oakland Peacemakers Planning Major “Circle of Peace” Event April 8

Following an African model, a wide coalition of Oaklanders will hold a peace vigil at Lake Merritt on Saturday April 8. The Circle of Peace is an action called for by Adamika Village, pastors, church congregation members, county and city employees, community-based organizations, mental health professionals, small business owners and individual citizens.

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2023

Oakland Post

According to event coordinator Tanya Dennis, the intent of the Circle of Peace is to “shift Oakland’s energy from violence to one of peace.” The event will begin with the calling of ancestors via djembe drums, spoken word and music, followed by a press conference for city and county proclamations and words of support.

By Post Staff

Following an African model, a wide coalition of Oaklanders will hold a peace vigil at Lake Merritt on Saturday April 8.

The Circle of Peace is an action called for by Adamika Village, pastors, church congregation members, county and city employees, community-based organizations, mental health professionals, small business owners and individual citizens.

According to event coordinator Tanya Dennis, the intent of the Circle of Peace is to “shift Oakland’s energy from violence to one of peace.”

The event will begin with the calling of ancestors via djembe drums, spoken word and music, followed by a press conference for city and county proclamations and words of support.

Three years ago, Adamika Village CEO Daryle Allums and Black Leaders Coalition CEO Tanya Dennis acknowledged the European model of society did not work for Black folks and from that came “The African Way” philosophy centered around the Black family and peace.

Their 10-point “peace in the streets” campaign is dedicated to ending violence in Oakland and restoring the family unit.

Thus far, Adamika Village has experienced success and takes partial credit for the 12% reduction in violence Oakland experienced in 2022 through Credible Messengers, their Peace banner project on International Boulevard and their peace messaging and beautification of blighted areas of Oakland.

Another success is the recent approval of funding by Alameda County for their “Havens for Black Healing,” a Black Mental Health Initiative launched by the Oakland Frontline Healers collaborative of which Adamika was the creator and now lead facilitator.

Adamika Village’s “Circle of Peace” vigil is their first outreach to the entire community of Oakland in a quest to find and implement solutions to end violence in Oakland.

“After decades of low levels of homicides, with COVID-19, we witnessed a 50% increase in violence in 2021, with over 100 homicides, and 2022 was even worse,” Allums said.

“It didn’t help that EDD scams put money in the wrong hands, allowing the purchase of more guns, which led to more violence when the money dried up for those use to living high on the hog.

“Desperation set in and so what we’re experiencing now is unprecedented predatory behavior with “bipping,” the breaking of car windows at a pandemic level aimed at vulnerable citizens such as elders, tourists and women being targeted. It’s gotten to a level that no neighborhood is immune, and everyone is living in fear.”

For these reasons, Dennis says, the April 8^th Circle of Peace has caught fire and resonated with the public. “People are tired of living behind closed doors and shuttered windows in fear. They’re grateful and ready to join us to do something, and our Circle of Peace is the first event to bring like-minded people together.”

Acknowledging that symbolism without action is futile, Adamika’s collaborative partner, the Violence Prevention Coalition, will host a citywide town hall June 24, 2023, at Laney College.

“The only way we’re going to end this wave of violence is to join together and take action with holistic solutions,” says Dennis “We recognize that many of our citizens are desperate for lack of alternatives and resources like access to mental health services and housing.

“The solution is to provide those resources so people don’t have to resort to violence. Sure, there are predators who are taking advantage, there always will be, but we want those who would change if they had a choice to know we’re here working with them to provide solutions.”

The public is invited to register and join by calling 510-929-7699 or email uractivist@gmail.com or click on the QR code on the flier. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1h86vv8TYLBovgUBfYtlBVY0gPGUDlCbVBAKWnDbWkM8/edit?usp=drive_web

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 24 – 30, 2024

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Bay Area

Op-Ed Senate Bill 966 Threatens Health Equity in East Bay

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further. Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland. From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Published

1 week ago

July 19, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

By Rev. Dr. Lawrence E. VanHook

Special to the Post

My East Bay community is struggling to get by. A proposed State Senate bill would set us back even further.

Serving the East Bay community has been my life’s work and my greatest joy. After leaving the Bay Area to complete my seminary, I returned home to found The Community Church in Oakland.

From the outset of my time as the church’s pastor, I have been guided by the belief that my service must extend beyond the pulpit, because the health and economic needs of my community are so great. Our church has organized free food banks, COVID-19 testing clinics, and a housing and re-entry program for those suffering from addiction.

Through my service, I have seen the challenges that our community members are facing. Oakland, my hometown, has the third-highest rate of violent crime in the state. The local economy is strained. Oakland-based businesses are leaving our community because they’re struggling to get ahead.

Both East and West Oakland has disproportionately high rates of respiratory illness due to heavy air pollution. While our local efforts have brought some aid to those in need, we are also counting on our state elected officials to help us address the systemic health disparities afflicting the community.

Chief among the health concerns of community members is having reliable and affordable access to prescription drugs. Equitable access to medications gives us the peace of mind that we can keep ourselves and our families healthy and safe. Our community should not have to choose between paying rent or purchasing prescriptions.

Unfortunately, rather than taking action to combat soaring prescription drug prices, some California lawmakers are pushing legislation that could raise patient costs at the pharmacy counter.

The Legislature is currently considering SB 966, a bill backed by special interests that would undercut the few tools we have to keep prescription drug costs contained, letting big drug companies increase their prices, profiting on the backs of working families – some of whom already live paycheck to paycheck.

SB 966 would target the fundamental programs through which small businesses, unions, and government health programs are able to offer their employees and members quality and affordable healthcare. Millions of Californians rely on these plans to obtain essential medications at the lowest-possible cost.

The bill would make it illegal for employers and unions to incentivize the administrators of their prescription drug plans to negotiate for the lowest possible cost for prescriptions. Right now, small businesses and unions can choose to pay these administrators more for taking on big drug companies and securing discounts – a choice that will be outlawed under this bill.

As a result, employers will have no leverage to stop big drug companies from setting sky-high prices, disproportionately impacting working families.

As these health costs quickly add up, employers will have little choice but to pass the increases down to their employees. That means California patients will see higher healthcare costs and co-pays.

From my perspective, most concerning is that the bill would exacerbate the health disparities impacting my community and other underserved populations. If SB 966 becomes law, the most vulnerable may be forced to skip prescription doses, stop filling their prescriptions, and avoid essential care.

By rejecting this cash grab by big drug companies, our state elected officials can send a clear message that they stand with the community, patients, and working families.

We cannot afford SB 966.

Rev. Dr. VanHook is the founder and pastor of The Community Church in Oakland and the founder of The Charis House, a re-entry facility for men recovering from alcohol and drug abuse.