Activism

Celebration of Life for George Floyd Held on Steps of S.F. City Hall

Published

4 years ago

June 11, 2020

One of the speakers at the celebration of life for George Floyd seen in the foreground of the event at S,F. City Hall. Photo Courtesy Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community – Justice 4 Mario Woods.

About 1,000 people who came to the plaza in front of San Francisco’s City Hall on Tuesday got more than a typical rally for George Floyd, a Black man killed by Minneapolis, Minn., police two weeks ago.

The Kneeling 4 Justice Part 2 – Memorial for George Floyd organized by Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community – Justice 4 Mario Woods, led by its founder Phelicia Jones included prayer and a eulogy for Floyd.

Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community have been fighting for justice for Black people since the 2015 killing of Mario Woods by San Francisco police.

The event was presented as a Socially Distanced Protest asking participants to wear gloves and masks that were provided for those who didn’t have them.

Jones timed the event to coincide with Floyd’s funeral, which was held in Houston, Texas. Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020, set off a worldwide protest on police brutality and systemic racism.

She wanted people to experience the way the Black church would honor Floyd, which includes memorial and a celebration of his life.

The celebration began with prayers from Rev. Joseph Bryant of San Francisco’s Calvary Hill Community Church church a song performed by Clara McDaniel. Several members of the Bay Area Black community spoke, including Rico Hamilton, Darryl Robinson and David Williams, whose brother was recently killed by police in Texas.

Rev. Thomas Fisher of the Second Baptist Church of Redwood City gave the eulogy.

San Francisco Mayor London Breed also spoke at the event. “Yes, I am the mayor of San Francisco, but I am a Black woman first,” she said, her voice halting at times. “And I struggle with the pain every time this happens. So it’s not just George Floyd: it’s my cousin Charles Breed, Eric Garner, Mario Woods.

“I see my family, friends and community time and time again continuing to be destroyed. I got into office so I could change these things,” she said.

They then all kneeled for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the time Floyd lay on the ground under the knees of the Minneapolis police until he died.

Gwen Woods closed out the event. She is the mother of Mario Woods, who was killed Dec. 2, 2015, in San Francisco in a hail of bullets by six San Francisco that was caught on tape. Former District Attorney George Gascon declined to file charges.

Jones told the crowd that on this day, Floyd was finally at rest and the attendees should honor his memory and rest as well. “Go home. Or go to the beach,” she advised them.

Then Jones insisted that the DJ put on some music so people could dance. Within minutes, the crowd had organized itself into a massive ‘Electric Slide.’

Miki A. of Fairfax, California, Marin County, said, “I feel like it was important to be here today. I drove out from Fairfax this morning to be here. The mayor’s speech was amazing and

Isaiah Miggin of Santa Rosa simply stated, “Love the mayor!”

“It’s nice to see so many white people out here and so many people with anti-police signs. Things are definitely amazing out there” sad Sasha Saeed of Berkeley. “You are seeing Asian-Americans, Filipino-Americans, Latino-Chicano voices come out in support of Black people and Black lives. It shows that this represents different kind of movement….”

S.F. Newsfeed contributed to this story.

By Post Staff

Posts by By Post Staff

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 27 – December 3, 2024, 2024

Published

2 days ago

November 30, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

OCCUR Hosts “Faith Forward” Conference in Oakland

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.
Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership.

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

President and CEO of OCCUR addresses the audience at OCCUR Faith Forward 2024 Conference at Resurrection Church. Photo by Carla Thomas.

By Carla Thomas

The Oakland Citizens Committee for Urban Renewal (OCCUR) hosted its Faith Forward 2024 Conference on Nov. 8 at Resurrection Church in Oakland.

The conference featured Congresswoman-elect Lateefah Simon, who will begin her term representing California’s 12^th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives in January.

Simon was honored with a special recognition from OCCUR for her civic and nonprofit leadership. During her remarks, She commended nonprofits making a difference, and shared how she looked forward to representing Oakland and surrounding areas.

Simon also encouraged attendees to continue fighting despite their concerns about the presidential election results. She also cautioned that there may be resources that are discontinued as a result.

“We know the assignment. We have many of the resources right within our own community, and we will be ok,” Simon assured the audience.

The conference led by OCCUR president, Dr. David B. Franklin, also featured panels on funding opportunities, case studies, economic development, sustainable housing solutions, and organizing for action.

“In order for organizations serving the community to thrive, everyone must collaborate, share resources, and not operate in silos,” said Franklin.

Speakers included San Francisco Foundation CEO, Fred Blackwell, San Francisco Foundation FAITHS Program Director Dr. Michelle Chambers, and Kingmakers of Oakland Founder, Chris Chatmon. Guests were briefed on how Kingmakers of Oakland has gone from a budget of zero to several million and is set to acquire 200 acres of property to expand their programs serving young boys. The leadership at the San Francisco Foundation encouraged nonprofits, churches, and community leaders to work together, especially when donations and funding numbers are lower.

Ben Bartlett of Berkeley City Council; Trevor Parham, CEO of Oakstop; and CEO of the Lao Family Community Development, Inc., Kathy Chao Rothberg, inspired attendees with stories about their journeys in the nonprofit sector.

Additional speakers included Deka Dike, CEO of Omatachi; Landis Green, CEO of DGS Strategies; Sasha Werblin, Director of Economic Development, LISC Bay Area; Oakland City Councilmember Treva Reid; Faith and Justice Organizer of East Bay Housing Organizations, Ronnie Boyd; and Todd Bendon, Executive Director of Faith in Action East Bay; among others.

The event allowed community leaders, faith-based leaders, and nonprofits to gain Insight on how to strengthen their profits financially, and communally.

OCCUR has served the community for over 70 years supporting the wellbeing of historically marginalized communities with collaborative strategies. For more information visit occurnow.org

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

Richmond Seniors Still Having a Ball After 25 Years

The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them. “Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Myrtle Braxton (l-r), Byran H. Harris, and Michelle Hayes. Photo by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.

That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25^th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.

The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.

“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”

Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.

The Senior Winter Ball symbolizes the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.

“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”

Myrtle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission for 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase the quality of life for seniors through safe social events.

“So many seniors are isolated and are sometimes forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”

Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at csdregistration@ci.richmond.ca.us or by phone at 510-620-6793.