Oakland

Councilmember Lynette McElhaney Endorses #BlackOutNFL

Published

7 years ago

August 31, 2017

Last week, hundreds gathered outside of NFL headquarters to protest the League’s retaliation against Colin Kaepernick and for turning a deaf ear to the suffering of their fans.

The NFL collectively has ostracized Kaepernick, a member of the NFL players union, for exercising his constitutionally protected right of free speech, after kneeling during the National Anthem to call attention to the disproportionate injuries and deaths of Black people at the hands of law enforcement.

“I support the #BlackoutNFL protest because it is past time for us to engage in a national discussion to insist that law enforcement uphold Constitutional protections as they perform their duties,” said McElhaney. “As more players, including Oakland native Marshawn Lynch move to exercise their rights, the public must be concerned about the League’s stance against athletes and other employees.

McElhaney believes the NFL’s position to punish Kaepernick has a chilling effect on all voices of dissent and makes all employees vulnerable to retaliation by an employer for all forms of peaceful protest.

“Today, it’s punishing those affirming that Black Lives Matter; tomorrow, it could be employees standing up for immigrant rights or speaking out against terrorist attacks targeting LGBTQ people like the Orlando shooting. We have to speak up now to protect the players and to protect all of our rights to free speech,” she added.

In 2015, a cop tackled a bikini-clad Black teen girl and aimed his gun at unarmed Black teens peacefully assembled at a McKinney Texas pool party. In 2016, Oklahoma City police officer Daniel Holtzclaw was convicted and sentenced to 263 years in prison after sexually assaulting African-American women in Oklahoma City’s poorest neighborhoods. This year, on Father’s Day, Bakersfield Police claimed to believe Tatyana Hargrove, a 5’2, 19-year old woman was in fact a 5’10, 170-pound man and beat her viciously; and, the Oakland Police Department that has been entrenched in the sex scandal of a teenager.

All of these matters are examples of issues Kaepernick’s protest sought to expose and “deserve national attention” said McElhaney.
Despite the NFL’s measures to denounce domestic violence by its players following Baltimore Ravens’ Ray Rice’ incident in 2014, the NFL’s practice of retention and promotion of its players who have physically and emotionally assaulted their wives and girlfriends continues to assert the behavior is acceptable.

Berkeley sociologist Harry Edwards said, “They [NFL] have brought in people who have been associated with double murders… people who have been associated with rape, drafted a guy in this past draft that hit a woman so hard in Oklahoma he could have killed her. They have brought back people who have been guilty of vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and who have beaten on women [multiple] times.”

By nurturing a culture that tolerates domestic violence even as it punishes free speech the NFL is complicit in creating a hostile work environment for their employees, 70 percent of whom are Black men.

McElhaney urges all consumers to join in the #BlackoutNFL protest until the National Football League, the NFL Player’s Association and owners take action to:

1) Affirm and Protect the Free Speech rights of all employees (not be confused with protecting hate speech);

2) Condemn any action by law enforcement that deprives any citizen due process protections;

3) Support the Movement for Black Lives;

4) End the collusion that has prevented Colin Kaepernick from being offered a position commensurate with his athletic skills and performance.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Related Topics:Colin Kaepernick NFL Oakland

Up Next

New Optometry Service Opens at West Oakland Health Center

Don't Miss

Ed Thomas Was McClymonds High’s Greatest Scorer

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

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 hours 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

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

BWOPA Honors Black Leadership and Legacy at 2024 Ella Hill Hutch Awards Dinner

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills. At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

Published

5 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

L-R: BWOPA State Executive Director LaNiece Jones; State Asm. Mia Bonta; BWOPA 2024 Man of The Year/Urban League SFBA CEO Ken Maxey; BWOPA State President Hon. Dezie Woods-Jones; State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas; Rowena Brown, Oakland Councilmember At-Large, Elect; BWOPA State Regional Director Vashone Huff. Courtesy photo.

By Oakland Post Staff

Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) is a statewide non-profit advocacy and membership organization committed to solving problems affecting Black Californians.

On Dec. 5, BWOPA held its Annual Ella Hill Hutch Awards Ceremony, at the Fairmont Claremont Hotel in the Oakland/Berkeley Hills.

At the event, the group comprised of Black women from various professional backgrounds, honored distinguished local and state leaders whose contributions have shaped civic engagement and advanced critical social issues impacting Black communities.

The evening was hosted by Dr. Shawna Charles, founder of The Charles Communications Group (CCG) headquartered in Los Angeles. Charles served as mistress of ceremonies.

With a track record of elevating voices and empowering communities, Charles’ leadership and insight brought a certain dynamism to the celebration.

“Each year, this event not only celebrates the enduring legacy of our beloved BWOPA founding member, Ella Hill Hutch, but also reaffirms and amplifies our unwavering commitment to building and sustaining Black political power across California,” said Dezie Woods-Jones, BWOPA founding member and State president.

“Ella Hill Hutch’s trailblazing leadership continues to inspire us as we forge ahead, empowering Black women to lead, advocate, and shape a more equitable future for all,” added Woods-Jones.

This year’s event introduced the DWJ Rising Star Award, honoring young leaders like Solano County Board Supervisors-elect Cassandra James, Danielle Motley-Lewis, Naomi Waters and newly elected State Assemblymember elect Rhodesia Ransom (D-Stockton).

According to organizers, the awardees all exemplify “the next generation of changemakers.”

Other awardees included:

Lifetime Achievement Awardees: Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) and Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson
Man of the Year: Kenneth Maxey, CEO of the Greater SF Bay Area Urban League
President’s Corporate Award: Yvette Radford, Kaiser Permanente
In the Spirit of Ella State and Chapter Awards: Dr. Carolyn Greene, Dr. Marcella K. Smith, Dr. Carolyn Drake, Tinisch Hollins, Jackie Jones, Gloria Burgess Johnson, Tamika L’Ecluse, Ellen Nash, Betty Reid Soskin, and Ay’Anna Moody.

BWOPA also celebrated local champions across its chapters, including leaders in voter education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, and community advocacy.

In a statement, BWOPA said, “Honoring Ella Hill Hutch’s legacy, BWOPA recognizes her pioneering efforts as the first Black woman elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. Her tireless work amplifying underrepresented voices continues to inspire BWOPA’s mission to build Black political power across California.”

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our members, partners and allies who believe in BWOPA’s vision to invest in building power for Black women’s leadership,” said LaNiece Jones, BWOPA State executive director. “Your support ensures that Black women have a voice at decision-making tables locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally, advancing diversity and equity in leadership spaces.”