Activism

Days of Protest Spark Mixed Reactions, Oaklanders Question Who Leads Destruction

Published

5 years ago

June 4, 2020

Thousands of people took to Oakland streets beginning May 29 for what was largely a peaceful protest against the death of George Floyd, a Black man in Minneapolis, Minn., who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Oakland protester Taylor energizes a growing crowd as they chant “No Justice, No Peace,” at Frank Ogawa Plaza on May 29. Thousands marched in Oakland on Friday protesting the death of George Floyd and demanding an end to police brutality. Photo by Michelle Snider.

By 11:00 p.m. on the first night of protests in the Bay Area, Twitter was filled with videos of looting and fires in Downtown Oakland. Walgreens on Broadway was looted and there were reports of a small fire inside. CVS on Broadway was also looted and the city center Starbucks was set on fire.

A Honda CR-V was driven off the Honda of Oakland showroom in front of a large crowd, and the brand new Target store on Broadway was smashed up, looted and is now to be closed indefinitely.

On Twitter, some were outraged at the looting and highlighted that the protests were mostly peaceful. A Chamber of Commerce representative said on May 30 that “a small band of well-mobilized vandals” had once again targeted the city’s merchants and most vulnerable people.”

More of what happened at the start of the looting in Oakland last night. I was there throughout the night, same narrative, white people inciting the violence and break-ins. They did not come here to protest, they did not come here for us. #OaklandProtest #GeorgeFloyd #BLM pic.twitter.com/wuXSOmF3gj
— peanut butter cup (@deshawnieboy) May 30, 2020

“We will not let out-of-town individuals undermine this legitimate protest and destroy our local economy,” said Barbara Leslie, president and CEO of the Oakland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.

Most businesses targeted were corporations, but some Black-owned and smaller businesses were targeted as well, including Oakland shop Queen Hippe Gypsy, owned by Lillianna Ayers — a Black woman.

After nightfall on May 29, a crowd attempted to gain access to I-880, throwing water bottles at police officers and launching a flare that started a small grass fire. Others headed toward the Oakland Police Department (OPD) building on Broadway and took a knee as they were met with a line of police officers.

A crowd attempts to gain access to the 880 freeway. A flare was launched by the crowd and started a small grass fire. Photo by Saskia Hatvany.

OPD swiftly deemed the protest an “unlawful gathering” and allowed three minutes for protesters to disperse before launching tear-gas.

Meanwhile, several small groups split off and proceeded to break the windows of Chase and Wells Fargo banks and other businesses. Trash cans were dragged into the streets and some were set ablaze.

After midnight, two federal officers were shot while on guard at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building at 1301 Clay St. One of them, Dave Patrick Underwood, succumbed to his injuries and died.

The shooting was called an “an act of domestic terrorism,” by Department of Homeland Security Acting Deputy Sec. Ken Cuccinelli at a Wash., D.C., news conference.

But California Gov. Gavin Newsom warned that the shooting should not be quickly associated with the acts of peaceful protesters. “No one should rush to conflate this heinous act with the protests last night,” he said.

Protesters kneel peacefully in front of a line of Oakland Police on Monday, May 29. Police declared the protest an “unlawful assembly,” and allowed three minutes for people to disperse before unleashing tear gas. Photo by Michelle Snider.

The looting continued throughout the weekend in downtown Oakland, Emeryville and the Fruitvale area, leading local officials to impose a curfew from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on Monday. Several peaceful daytime protests also occurred, including a caravan of over 1,000 cars around Lake Merritt, and a march down Broadway on Monday from Oakland Technical High School at 42nd street that ended at the Oakland Police Department on Seventh street.

Approximately 15,000 people attended the Monday student-led rally and march, according to Oakland police who observed from a helicopter.

Saskia Hatvany

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

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

Published

1 day 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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Activism

‘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

4 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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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

4 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