Activism

Community Leaders Call for Solidarity Over Threats and Harassment of Black Women Leaders

A new database by Princeton University and the Anti-Defamation League has begun tracking threats received by public officials, identifying women, particularly women of color, to be targeted, totaling 42.5% of all incidents.

Published

2 years ago

February 15, 2023

Oakland Post

A press conference Monday, Feb. 6 at Oakland City Hall calls for solidarity against threats of violence and intimidation of Black women leaders. Some of the elected officials and leaders at the event were [Bottom row l-r]: Assemblymember Liz Ortega, Councilmember Carroll Fife and State Senator Senator Aisha Wahab. (Middle row): Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan, Mayor Sheng Thao and Assemblymember Mia Bonta. (Top row): Councilmember Kevin Jenkins and Rev. Cheryl Ward. Photo by Ken Epstein.

“We are seeing a sharp polarization of politics and when people build on fear … we are seeing a rise in violence across the nation,” says Councilmember Carroll Fife

By Ken Epstein

A press conference this week on the steps of Oakland City Hall called for community solidarity against the increased dangers posed by threats of violence and harassment of women of color — particularly Black women who are elected leaders or leading members of justice advocacy organizations.

While threats, violence and harassment are rising across the nation, including highly publicized threats against Congressional leaders Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, these threats are also increasing in Oakland, which is not immune.

“We are seeing a sharp polarization of politics, and when people build on fear or want to dispossess their fear onto other individuals, it can result in violence and harassment — we are seeing a rise in violence across the nation,” said Oakland Councilmember Carroll Fife, who called for the press event after increased threats against herself and others.

This “is an attempt to limit democracy; they are seeking to stall and stymie the voices of people who are transforming government in order to stop the change that they know is so desperately needed and desired by the community,” said Fife.

“This is why I chose to finally share my experiences after years of dealing with it in silence, because it isn’t just about me,” she said. “I have taken a vow to fight for my constituents and to fight for the residents of this city, and the more that I speak, the more that I hear other stories. These stories need to be documented in order for us to address the deeply rooted issues motivating this violence and harassment.”

Attending the press conference were state and local leaders including Councilmember Fife, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, California Senator Aisha Wahab, Assemblymember Liz Ortega, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, City Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas and Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan, Kevin Jenkins and Janani Ramachandran.

Also attending were about 100 individuals and members of many local organizations who came to stand in solidarity.

The Oakland Progressive Alliance (OPA) has begun a petition calling on business leaders, civil rights groups and advocates connected to any of the individuals perpetrating misleading, politically motivated or dangerous rhetoric to join them in publicly condemning these personal attacks. They are also urging the community to speak out when they see the scapegoating of Black women and women of color in leadership positions.

In her remarks, State Senator Wahab said, “Threats of rape are a particular avenue of violence that are only reserved for those of us who are not heterosexual men. I, too, have been on the receiving end of such threats. … If we stay quiet about this type of abuse, the efforts to … make us shrink, cower and be quiet will only continue.”

Councilmember Kaplan said, “This is a good morning because this is what solidarity looks like. This is what it means when we say we will not stand idly by when people are attacked and particularly when Black women are attacked.

“These attacks are happening because people fear the kind of justice and transformation that is happening. These attacks are a sign of the success of these incredible Black women leaders.”

Kaplan continued: “We will not stand by whether it is individuals leaving disgusting voice mails, putting comments online, whether it is the rightwing white supremacist Proud Boys coming into Alameda County to attack people in our communities, whether it is a politician at the national level raising hate or it is one at the local level raising hate as a part of a political strategy.”

Cat Brooks, a journalist, actor, and a founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP), said, “Let me be clear: the work is going to continue. (In spite of) your threats, your actions, your voicemails, your emails, your Twitter warrior messages, the work is going to continue.”

Brooks said she has been subjected to countless threats over ATPT’s demands to end police violence, which claims the lives of over a thousand Black people a year. “Because people don’t like what I have to say, they think it’s OK to threaten my life, to threaten my home, to threaten my child.”

One of the first threats she received 14 years ago was a threat of sexual assault against her then 9-year-old daughter, she said.

Thao said, “We know this happens, (but) why does this happen? There are still far too many people in our society who cannot deal with women of color being in positions of power. These messengers of hate … cannot deal with women of color being in leadership and demanding, not asking, for respect and inclusion.

“They are trying to send a message to all women of color to stay in your lane, stay in your place. You wait your turn … This is what we say: ‘Hell no.’”

She continued: “We will not be intimidated. We will stand together, all of us beautifully together, and we will send a message to those messengers of hate: You cannot stop us.”

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

23 hours ago

December 20, 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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‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org