City Government
Oakland Bans Misleading Anti-Abortion Ads
Oakland City Council unanimously passed an ordinance recently tightening regulations around false advertisements by fake pregnancy clinics who suggest they perform abortions and instead try to dissuade people from having abortions.
The ordinance was put forward by Councilmembers Annie Campbell Washington, Rebecca Kaplan, Abel Guillén and City Attorney Barbara Parker.
As of last week, Oakland is the second city in the country to ban ads by socalled crisis pregnancy clinics that hold an anti-abortion agenda, focusing mainly on billboards and online ads.
The ordinance, which is effective immediately, fines clinics $50 to $500 per violation.
San Francisco passed a similar law in 2011.
According to Amy Everitt, NARAL Pro-Choice California director, a simple Google search for local abortion clinics near Oakland results in many centers that do not provide the service and are not registered with authorities.
“When (people) are seeking reproductive health care, it is time-sensitive and urgent,” Everitt told the Huffington Post.
When you put an entity or organization in the way that’s specifically targeting (reproductive health care seekers) to deceive them into wasting their time and delay them from accessing other care, what that creates for the women and families of California is a public harm.”
According to a Planned Parenthood spokesperson, anti-abortion centers outnumber Planned Parenthood’s 115 clinics in California.
Oakland City Attorney Parker also cited websites of several crisis pregnancy clinics that list false health risks of contraception and strongly discourage abortion.
“(Crisis pregnancy clinics) are a growing strategy in the anti-choice movement,” according to a statement by Councilmember Campbell Washington.
With national news around the presidential election focusing on reproductive rights, “we believe this cause is more important than ever,” she said.
Activism
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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Activism
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.
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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