Bay Area

City Attorney Issues Guidance of Civil Rights Protection During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Published

4 years ago

June 18, 2020

Oakland City Attorney Barbara J. Parker released new guidance to remind all Oaklanders that local, state, and federal civil rights protections remain in full force and effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidance, released in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), aims to assist individuals, businesses and advocates in understanding what types of choices and activities remain impermissible during the global health crisis.

African American and Latino Americans have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic in terms of deaths, and have been and continue to be disproportionately subjected to harassment and discrimination before and during the pandemic.

In addition, incidents of harassment of and discrimination against people of Asian descent have increased dramatically in part due to the president’s fear-mongering and scapegoating of China for his administration’s abysmal failure to take action to protect the American people from the ravages of COVID-19.

Disabled people also have been targeted during the pandemic.

“Tragically, discrimination targeting African Americans, Latinos, Asians and other communities of color and disabled people, is not a new phenomenon,” said Parker.

“African Americans, Latinos, Asians, other Oaklanders of color and disabled people, among others, have been subjected to harassment, assault, mutilation and murder for centuries.

“The current public health crisis has only exacerbated those harms, with hatred and fear fueled by the current occupant of the White House and his enablers. I released this guidance because I want to make clear that Oakland will not tolerate unlawful discrimination of any kind. Now more than ever, we need to protect and uphold the rights of all of our colleagues, families, neighbors and friends,” she said.

The FAQs remind us of all of the civil rights laws that remain in effect and provide specific examples of the kinds of behaviors that are particularly problematic forms of unlawful harassment or discrimination during the pandemic.

The FAQs also walk readers through the penalties that are provided for violations of civil rights laws, provide persons experiencing harassment and discrimination with resources to vindicate their rights and list additional sources of reliable COVID-19 information. To ensure these FAQs are accessible to all Oaklanders, they are available in English, Spanish, Chinese, and Vietnamese, and will be provided in other languages upon request.

Oakland is releasing these FAQs against the backdrop of thousands of reports of discrimination against Americans of Asian descent based on wholly false assertions that Asian Americans are responsible for or carriers of COVID-19, and with the reality that many are shaming or shunning disabled people based on misunderstandings about infection. The guidance should serve as a warning to anyone who violates their fellow Oaklanders’ rights that the City Attorney remains committed to addressing illegal discrimination in all of its forms.

Erin Bernstein is the media liaison for the City Attorney’s office.

Saskia Hatvany

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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.

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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

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Bay Area

Richmond’s New Fire Chief Sworn In

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” noted Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi,. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

Published

1 week ago

November 24, 2024

Oakland Post

Chief Osorio (far left) was sworn in at a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Hall on Nov. 15. All photos by Mike Kinney.

By Mike Kinney
The Richmond Standard

Richmond Fire Chief Aaron Osorio was sworn into his new role in a well-attended ceremony at Richmond City Council Chambers on Friday, Nov. 15.

The crowd included Osorio’s family and friends, rank-and-file Richmond firefighters, fellow fire chiefs from Bay Area agencies, elected officials and community members.

Richmond City Manager Shasa Curl provided an introduction and acknowledged Chief Osorio’s “heroic service to Richmond.”

Harpreet Sandhu, field representative for Congressmember John Garamendi, presented the chief with a Congressional Commendation, citing his 23 years of serving in the fire service in Richmond in numerous positions.

“Chief Osorio rose up through the ranks in the Richmond Fire Department over the last 21 years before being elevated to chief,” Sandhu noted. “He joined the department in 2002 and has served in multiple roles including firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief, training director and deputy fire chief.”

The chief’s wife, Maria, and two sons Roman and Mateo helped perform the badge-pinning.

Richmond City Clerk Pamela Christian then conducted the swearing-in ceremony.

Chief Osorio thanked his family, colleagues, and city for their support, calling it “very humbling” to take on leadership of an “amazing organization.”

Once the ceremony was done, the chief stated, “I’m ready to get to work.”