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Longshore Workers, Teachers Join Forces to Save Public Schools and Port of Oakland.

“This isn’t just about what is happening in Oakland — this is about what is happening to the country,” said former ILWU Local 10 president Trent Willis, welcoming people to the meeting. Condemning those who “put greed in front of education,” he said, “We’re up against the same billionaire, John Fisher,” who not only wants port land but is among the owners of charter schools that want school property.

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Among the speakers at the joint longshore/teacher unity meeting were ILWU Local 10 leaders (L to R): Secretary Treasurer Ed Henderson, President Farless Dailey and Trent Willis, former IWU Local 10 president. Photo by Craig Gordon
Among the speakers at the joint longshore/teacher unity meeting were ILWU Local 10 leaders (L to R): Secretary Treasurer Ed Henderson, President Farless Dailey and Trent Willis, former IWU Local 10 president. Photo by Craig Gordon

By Ken Epstein

Finding common cause, longshore workers — members and leaders of ILWU Local 10 — met this week with Oakland teachers, parents and community members to kick off a united fight to stop developer John Fisher’s takeover of public property at Oakland’s working seaport and to halt the push to close Oakland schools and sell or lease the properties to private businesses.

Nearly 100 ILWU members and supporters of Oakland’s fight to stop school closures attended a meeting at the ILWU union hall in San Francisco Wednesday evening to begin planning joint actions in coming weeks and months and to expand their coalition to other unions and groups.

“This isn’t just about what is happening in Oakland — this is about what is happening to the country,” said former ILWU Local 10 president Trent Willis, welcoming people to the meeting. Condemning those who “put greed in front of education,” he said, “We’re up against the same billionaire, John Fisher,” who not only wants port land but is among the owners of charter schools that want school property.

“We know we have a common cause. Stand with us in our fight, and we will stand with you,” said Aaron Wright, ILWU business agent.

ILWU speakers strongly criticized state and local political leaders as “minions of the billionaires,” especially Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, State Senator Nancy Skinner, Attorney General Rob Bonta and Gov. Gavin Newsom, as well as members of the school board and city council.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025

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Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025

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IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

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William "Bill" Patterson, 94. Photo courtesy of the Patterson family.

William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.

Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.

He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.

He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.

Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.

Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.

Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.

He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.

A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.

His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.

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