Community

Oakland Rallies for Sonya Massey, Police Slaying Victim

When Sonya Massey was killed by police in Illinois last month, her death prompted outrage, grief, and terror across the nation. Oakland responded with not one, but three rallies held during the last week of July. Massey met an unfair and unjust death on July 6 near Springfield, Illinois. Fearing a possible intruder in her home, Massey had called 911 for help. In the ensuing exchange, Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson shot and killed her.

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2024

Oakland Post

People place flowers and other items on the altar for Sonya Massey in front of the mural of police victim Breonna Taylor at 15thand Broadway at the Anti Police Terror Project’s response to a national call for action on July 28. Photo by Daisha Williams.

COMMENTARY

By Daisha Williams

Massey met an unfair and unjust death on July 6 near Springfield, Illinois. Fearing a possible intruder in her home, Massey had called 911 for help. In the ensuing exchange, Sangamon County Deputy Sean Grayson shot and killed her.

Massey was a 36-year-old Black woman, a mother, and a person suffering from a mental health crisis. She was exactly the type of person that communities should support, not destroy.

The In Our Names Network issued a national call to action for Sunday July 28. On this day, cities across the country rallied in Massey’s name. Oakland has never been quiet when it comes to police brutality, and this was no different.

In Oakland, the Anti Police Terror Project (APTP) held a vigil in response to this call. People gathered in Downtown Oakland in front of the mural of police victim Breonna Taylor on 15th Street and Broadway. People were quiet, somber as they gathered. APTP provided supplies for people to write notes to place on the altar. Cat Brooks, co-founder of APTP, shared powerful testimony.

She detailed the horrendous situation while driving home the fact that Massey had done nothing at all. At no point had Massey been threatening, Brooks said, she was only asking for help. Brooks revealed that even after 15 years of organizing for people lost under similar circumstances, this situation hit her a little harder.

After speaking, Brooks performed libations, a ritual intended to invite ancestral spirits into a space. People called out the names of dozens of activists, children, and family that our communities have lost.

From the Breonna Taylor mural the group walked to Oscar Grant Plaza while chanting ‘Say Her Name.’ At the plaza, Brooks called up a number of speakers to the mic, including Oscar Grant’s mother, father, and uncle. After the speakers were done, they transitioned into an open mic segment, inviting anyone who felt moved to speak.

The APTP vigil was an incredible demonstration of community support. There was an ASL interpreter present to ensure that the space was accessible for everyone. There were healing justice coordinators there to support as well.

People from every race and background were present, including many people wearing keffiyehs, a Palestinian scarf symbolizing resistance. There were people of all ages, children there with their grandparents. This felt like a group made up of every part of the community.

The next day, Monday July 29, the second rally for Massey occurred at Lake Merritt Amphitheater from 6-8 pm.

After a short statement from one of the unnamed organizers, and a ceremony performed by Awon Ohun Omnira (Voices of Freedom), the remainder of the event prioritized the voices of the community. Most of those people were not polished speakers, they were regular community members sharing how Massey’s killing had affected them.

This grassroots event felt more raw, shining a light on the ways that brutality ripples through our community. When one Black person is murdered, that pain is shared with the community. It showed the unique ways that we are all affected, but also the similarities, the common fear, grief, and anger.

Jumia, one of the organizers said that “It healed something in me but opened something up at the same time.” I think that describes how many people at this vigil were feeling.

Black women take on a lot of this pain, especially because they often carry the burden of consoling the community as well as themselves while trying to keep themselves safe in a world that is unsafe.

Later last week on Friday, Aug. 2, the third vigil held to honor Massey was held at Fruitvale Village in Oakland at 1 p.m. The event began with this writer, as the organizer of the event, sharing some words and performing libations.

I then called up some speakers including Nairobi Barnes, the 2023 Oakland Youth Poet Laureate and representatives from CURYJ. The event closed after holding space for an open mic section.

Three events in one week shows how much the murder of Sonya Massey affected the Black community. In the two weeks following her death a dozen more lives were lost to the hands of police brutality nationwide.

As long as this keeps happening, Oakland will keep chanting, filling the streets, screaming, and crying for lost brothers and sisters.

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Oakland Mayor Pushes Charter Overhaul to Clarify Roles in City Government, Increase Accountability and Improve Service Delivery

Under the proposal, the mayor would serve as Oakland’s chief executive, overseeing city departments, implementing policy, proposing the annual budget, and managing day-to-day operations. The measure would also give the mayor veto power over legislation and the budget, though the City Council could override a veto with a two-thirds vote.

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee. File photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee is backing a sweeping proposal to restructure Oakland’s government, arguing the changes would make City Hall more accountable and improve the delivery of basic services like public safety, homelessness response, and infrastructure repairs.

The charter reform measure, introduced April 7 and co-sponsored by Oakland City Council President Kevin Jenkins, would ask voters in November to approve a “strong mayor, strong council” system designed to create clearer lines of authority inside city government.

The City Council, meanwhile, would maintain legislative authority by adopting ordinances, approving budgets, conducting oversight hearings, and confirming key mayoral appointments. The proposal would also create an Independent Budget and Legislative Analyst Office to provide nonpartisan fiscal and policy analysis for councilmembers.

“I’ve spent months listening to Oaklanders across every neighborhood about what they expect from their city government,” Lee said. “The Charter Reform Working Group’s engagement made clear that residents want a system where there are no questions about who is responsible for delivering results on public safety, homelessness, infrastructure, and basic services.”

Jenkins said the proposal would strengthen both executive leadership and council oversight.

“I’ve long believed Oakland works best when residents have clear lines of accountability and a government structure that aligns responsibility with results,” Jenkins said.

The proposal follows recommendations from the Mayor’s Charter Reform Working Group, co-facilitated by the League of Women Voters of Oakland and SPUR.

Over five months, the group conducted more than 60 interviews, held 14 public meetings across Oakland, and engaged more than 750 residents while reviewing governance models used in other cities.

“The process of engaging residents across Oakland surfaced the governance clarity Oakland needs,” said Sujata Srivastava of SPUR. “The Charter Reform Working Group has produced a thoughtful set of recommendations that if adopted could strengthen accountability and improve service delivery across city government.”

Polling cited by the mayor’s office suggests voters may be open to the changes. A February 2026 poll by the East Bay Polling Institute found 64% of voters support adopting a strong-mayor system. Separate polling conducted by the Oakland Chamber of Commerce and David Binder Research found support ranging from 61% to 63% among likely voters.

The measure is scheduled to be heard by the City Council Rules Committee on May 21. If approved by the council, it would appear on the November 2026 ballot, where Oakland voters would have the final say.

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Activism

The Ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Hold Day of Advocacy at the Capitol in Sacramento

A member of the “Divine Nine,” Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., was founded on Jan. 13, 1913, at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The organization was established by 22 women who sought to shift the group’s focus from social activities to public service, academic excellence, and social activism.

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro) presents a Senate resolution to the Delta Theta Sigma Sorority Farwest Region at the State Capitol on May 4. Photo courtesy of the Senate Rules Committee.

By Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

On May 4, members of the Farwest Region of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., convened at the California State Capitol for the organization’s 23rd annual Delta Days in Sacramento.

The two-day advocacy event brings together chapters from across California to engage directly in the legislative process, connect with lawmakers, and advocate for policies impacting Black communities.

Members of the sorority were honored on the Senate floor by Sen. Laura Richardson (D-San Pedro), who is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Richardson welcomed the Farwest Region during the presentation of a Senate resolution recognizing outgoing Regional Director Kimberly Usher for her leadership and service.

“In addition to the Far West Region, we are led by a fearless leader, regional director Kimberly Usher. She has now served her full term of what’s allowed,” Richardson said. “We are going to be having our regional conference, but we wanted to give it to her here, officially recognizing her service.”

The resolution was co-authored by Richardson and fellow members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) and Delta Sigma Theta, Sen. Akilah Weber Pierson (D-San Diego) and Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

Usher has served in the leadership role since 2022.

“We are founded on sisterhood that is deeply rooted in scholarship, service, and social action,” said Weber Pierson, a member of the Gamma Alpha chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

“Today, we continue a legacy of empowering communities and upholding the high cultural, intellectual, and moral standards established by our founders over a century ago,” she added.

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Rep. Kamlager-Dove Introduces Bill to Protect Women in Custody After Reports Detailing Miscarriages and Neglect

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

Published

9 hours ago

May 17, 2026

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) on May 7, reintroduced updated legislation aimed at strengthening protections and healthcare standards for pregnant and postpartum women held in federal custody, including in immigration detention facilities.

The Pregnant Women in Custody Act would expand safeguards beyond the federal prison system to include women detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Office of Refugee Resettlement. The proposal follows reports of pregnant women being shackled, denied medical care and suffering miscarriages while in immigration detention.

The legislation builds on a bipartisan version previously passed by the House during the 117th Congress. The updated bill includes new standards for healthcare access, mental health and substance use treatment, high-risk pregnancy care, family unity protections and increased federal oversight.

“Proper pregnancy care is a human right, regardless of your immigration or incarceration status,” Kamlager-Dove said in a statement. “It’s unacceptable that there are virtually no legal safeguards for pregnant women in federal custody.”

The bill would also limit the use of restraints and restrictive housing for pregnant women, improve data collection on maternal health in custody and require additional staff training and enforcement measures.

Supporters of the measure said the legislation is intended to address long-standing concerns about maternal healthcare and safety in detention settings, particularly for Black women and low-income women who are disproportionately impacted by incarceration and health disparities.

“Pregnant women in custody should never be subjected to dangerous and inhumane treatment that threatens their health, dignity, or the well-being of their babies,” said Patrice Willoughby, chief of policy and legislative affairs for the NAACP and a longtime public policy and government affairs strategist, in a statement.

A 2021 report estimated there are about 58,000 admissions of pregnant women into U.S. jails and prisons each year. Kamlager’s statement also cited a recent investigation by NBC News and Bloomberg Law that identified allegations of severe mistreatment or medical neglect involving at least 54 pregnant women or families in county jails between 2017 and 2024.

Federal policy under the Department of Homeland Security restricts the detention of pregnant, postpartum and nursing immigrants except in extreme cases. However, the agency reported that ICE deported 363 pregnant, postpartum or nursing women between January 2025 and February 2026, including 16 recorded miscarriages during that period.

The bill is cosponsored by several House Democrats and backed by organizations including the NAACP and the Vera Institute of Justice.