Activism

House Our Unhoused Now

Answering the call of community organizers standing in solidarity with encampment residents, we showed up at Wood Street and 34th last Friday, Sep 9. Upon arrival, we learned that a tiny home being occupied by a resident had just been destroyed aggressively with heavy machinery. Not moved. Not stored. But demolished before the resident could move it or even grab their belongings.

Published

2 years ago

September 17, 2022

Oakland Post

Last week, the City of Oakland and the State of California began “evicting” more than 200 residents from their makeshift homes, RVs and tents from the area known as the Wood Street encampment.

By Gregory Hodge

Housing is a human right. In the wealthiest region in the wealthiest country, our shortcoming is obvious to anyone who has taken just one walk around the Town. The moral issue of our time is our failure as a society to provide housing decent enough for human beings, for all our neighbors.

The sad truth is that despite protests, lawsuits, and direct action, the key element for solving the housing crisis is still being largely ignored by our city and state authorities. As a mayoral candidate, I urge us all to listen to the needs and proposals of those most affected. They know the problem because they live it. They are the experts on their situation and it’s past time to listen.

Greg Hodge, a mayoral candidate, long time West Oakland resident and parent who lives near several homeless encampments want the city to provide “equity-based” solutions around Secty. Buttigieg’s and Gov. Newsom’s recent statements on displacements and homelessness.

As neighbors, leaders, and Oakland community members, we should do everything within our power to create real systems of care that mitigate many of the factors leading to homelessness.

First, we need to identify and house extremely low-income people. We must demand that our city, county, state and federal government provide housing and support to the most vulnerable: families, seniors, people with disabilities, and others surviving on fixed incomes. This includes voting in leaders who will prioritize people’s wellbeing over profit. We must partner with our non-profit agencies to provide access to services.

Instead of solutions that center those most impacted, we are seeing evictions that lack any real understanding of the desires of those who are being displaced yet again.

Collectively, we must support people experiencing homelessness by providing accessible and relevant prevention services like shelter, mental health care, hygiene services, safe parking, and jobs programs. As Mayor, I’d advocate for fully funding the Department of Violence Prevention to help ensure we are not just reacting to failed policy, but rather, creating holistic policies that address the root of the issues.

Last week, the City of Oakland and the State of California began “evicting” more than 200 residents from their makeshift homes, RVs and tents from the area known as the Wood Street encampment. For any of us who spent time at the encampment talking with residents, advocates and community problem solvers, it was clear that this eviction process was haphazard and inhumane.

The city and state claimed evictions were necessary based on health and safety concerns, citing the numerous dangerous fires disrupting residents and drivers on the freeways above the encampment. An order from a federal judge explicitly requires that city and state authorities set a reasonable plan for storing the property. What help is a federal order if it is not enforced?

Residents were required to move their belongings or store them until a more permanent solution could be provided. We witnessed an amazing moment where supporters like a volunteer known as “Boots” helped find a way to move resident belongings with a U-Haul truck while identifying possible storage facilities. It was one of many beautiful and compassionate acts that will continue to be repeated as long as evictions are taking place.

As many in the social justice movement will repeat time and time again — nothing for us, without us.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Help Decide Where Federal, State and Local Dollars Should Go in Our Community

Don't Miss

Holy Names University Awards Oakland Teachers with Tuition-free Teaching Credentials

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

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

Published

2 days 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.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

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.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

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