Berkeley

Race for Alameda District Attorney Enters Final Stretch

Published

7 years ago

June 1, 2018

Incumbent District Attorney Nancy O’Malley (right) answers a question from Oakland Community Organizations (OCO) along with her opponent, Pamela Price (left), at a townhall forum at St. Columba Catholic Church in Oakland on May 23. Photo by Sarah Carpenter.

The June 5 election for Alameda County district attorney is heating up in the final week before ballots are due.

At a forum for the candidates last week, current DA Nancy O’Malley accused Pamela Price of running a dishonest campaign, while Price emphasized that as district attorney she would bring justice to communities that are desperate for police accountability.

Oakland Community Organizations (OCO) hosted the forum at St. Columba Catholic Church in Oakland on Wednesday, May 23.

Hundreds of Oaklanders attended, filling the seats provided on the ground floor and the small balcony above the entrance. The candidates answered questions from local organizations, then from the audience.

The first audience question asked each candidate to say a quality or characteristic that they appreciate about their opponent. O’Malley said she respected Price’s work as a civil rights lawyer.

Price responded, “I don’t know Miss O’Malley personally, so it’s hard for me to say that there’s a quality or a characteristic about her as a person that I appreciate. What I have heard is that she is a nice person.”

O’Malley focused on her track record as a DA, emphasizing her experience in running a large organization. She has become well known for fighting against the sex trafficking of minors.

O’Malley has been the district attorney since her appointment in 2009. She recently dismissed over 6,000 cannabis convictions, clearing the records of those targeted by the “War on Drugs.”

Price had criticized O’Malley for allotting the public defender a significantly smaller budget than the district attorney’s office. O’Malley explained that the DA has 250 more employees than the public defender, and that she had raised $17 million of her office’s budget herself.

Price pointed out that this is the first time in decades that an Alameda County DA has faced an opponent. “For the first time in 50 years, we have a choice,” she said.

Price grew up in the foster care and juvenile justice systems. She went on to graduate from Yale University and U.C. Berkeley School of Law. Her campaign is focused on protecting immigrant and minority populations from abuses within the criminal justice system.

“This community is desperate for police accountability,” Price said. She has criticized O’Malley for not prosecuting any officer involved in the sexual exploitation of Jasmine Abuslin, an underage sex worker better known as “Celeste Guap,” for obstruction of justice.

O’Malley also accepted large campaign donations from police unions. Price’s campaign has criticized O’Malley for accepting a $10,000 donation from Fremont cops while her office was investigating three officers’ actions in the fatal separate shootings of two people last year.

Price’s message resonated with Demetrius McCray, 21, who reached out to volunteer in her campaign. “It’s really easy to get discouraged by what’s happening in the world, and it’s a rare opportunity that you see someone like her running,” he said. “What she values, what she stands for, it’s all extremely good and genuine.”

In her closing statement, O’Malley quoted New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s commencement speech in which he said the country is plagued with an epidemic of dishonesty. “And I’m sorry to stand here to tell you that’s what’s happening in this campaign, not by me but by my opponent,” O’Malley said.

She is endorsed by a long list of politicians, including Governor Jerry Brown, Mayor Libby Schaaf, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Senator Kamala Harris.

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Golden State Warriors Program Is Inspiring Next Generation of Female Engineers

Breaking down barriers and biases that deter young girls from pursuing STEAM subjects is essential for creating a level playing field and ensuring equal opportunities for all. By challenging stereotypes and promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity in STEAM fields, experts believe young girls can be empowered to pursue their interests and aspirations without limitations confidently. Encouraging mentorship, providing access to resources, and celebrating girls’ achievements in STEAM are all crucial steps in creating a supportive environment that fosters success.

Published

2 weeks ago

March 23, 2025

Oakland Post

Front Row: UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team Back Row: Girls, Inc. Participants. Photo courtesy of the Golden State Warriors.

By Y’Anad Burrell

The Golden State Warriors and e-commerce giant Rakuten are joining forces to inspire the next generation of female engineers through Building STEAM Futures, part of The City Calls campaign.

Organizers say the initiative is founded on the idea that science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) are crucial fields for innovation and progress, and empowering young girls to pursue careers in these areas is more important than ever. Studies consistently show that girls are underrepresented in STEAM fields, resulting in a gender disparity that limits potential and hinders diversity.

On Saturday, March 8, International Women’s Day, the Warriors and Rakuten hosted 20 middle school girls from Girls Inc. of Alameda County at Chase Center’s Above the Rim for a hands-on bridge-building experience. The young girls from Girls, Inc. of Alameda County had an opportunity to design, build and test their own bridge prototypes and learn the fundamentals of bridge construction from the Engineering Alliance and the UC Berkeley Steel Bridge Team.

This STEAM experience for the girls followed the first session in January, where they took a behind-the-scenes tour of the Golden Gate Bridge, learning about its design and construction from industry experts. The City Calls campaign, tipped off with the unveiling the Warriors’ new bridge-themed City Edition jerseys and court design earlier this year.

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Lawsuit Accuses UC Schools of Giving Preference to Black and Hispanic Students

The lawsuit also alleges UC is violating the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars racial discrimination by federally funded institutions. In response, UC stated that race is not a factor in admissions, as per state law, and that student demographic data is collected only for statistical purposes.

Published

2 months ago

February 17, 2025

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

A lawsuit filed in federal court accuses the University of California (UC) of racial discrimination in undergraduate admissions, alleging that Black and Latino students are favored over Asian American and white applicants. The lawsuit, filed by the group Students Against Racial Discrimination, claims UC’s admissions policies violate Proposition 209, a state law passed in 1996 that prohibits the consideration of race in public education.

In response, UC stated that race is not a factor in admissions, as per state law, and that student demographic data is collected only for statistical purposes.

Stett Holbrook, a spokesperson for the UC system, said the entity had not been served with the lawsuit.

“If served, we will vigorously defend our admission practices,” said Holbrook.

“We believe this to be a meritless suit that seeks to distract us from our mission to provide California students with a world-class education,” he said.

The complaint criticizes UC’s use of a “holistic” admissions process, arguing it replaces objective academic criteria with subjective considerations that disadvantage certain racial groups. It cites admission rate disparities at UC Berkeley, noting a decrease in Black student admissions from 13% in 2010 to 10% in 2023, compared to an overall drop from 21% to 12%.

The lawsuit follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling banning affirmative action in college admissions, which has prompted challenges to race-conscious policies nationwide. The plaintiffs seek a court order preventing UC from collecting racial data in applications and request a federal monitor to oversee admissions decisions.

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Black History Month in the Bay Features, Parades, Festivals and Speakers

Black History Month did not begin as Black History Month. In 1915 after the 13th Amendment was passed Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This organization sponsored the initiation of a national Negro History Week, which took place in February, the same week as Frederick Douglass’ birthday. During the Civil Rights Movement this transformed into the Black History Month we still celebrate today.

Published

2 months ago

February 1, 2025

Oakland Post

The choir performs at the 2023 Black Joy Parade. Courtesy photo By Daisha Williams.

By Daisha Williams

Black History Month is a month that is centered in teaching, learning, and honoring the journey of Black people in America. Black people in America have faced discrimination, abuse, and every kind of mistreatment. Black History Month is about recognizing not only that history, but how far the community has come despite it, and celebrating Black joy.

Black History Month did not begin as Black History Month. In 1915 after the 13th Amendment was passed Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). This organization sponsored the initiation of a national Negro History Week, which took place in February, the same week as Frederick Douglas’ birthday. During the Civil Rights Movement, this transformed into the Black History Month we still celebrate today.

There are many ways that people celebrate Black History Month and as always, the Bay Area has a little bit of everything.

Most popularly, the Eighth Annual Black Joy Parade will be taking place in Downtown Oakland on Feb. 23. The parade will begin at 14th and Franklin Streets at 12:30 p.m. There will be a festival after the parade ends lasting until 7 p.m. This is the largest Black Joy Parade and sure to be a fun time. Schools, community organizations, and performers can sign up to be in the parade by Feb. 6 on the Black Joy Parade website.

In line with the spirit of the month “From Black History to Black Futures” will take place on Feb. 23 from 2-5 p.m. in Vallejo. This event will show the breadth and beauty of Black life through showcasing speakers, artistic performances, and community booths. This free celebration is hosted by a community organization, Vallejo Building Black Power and Leadership, at 4380 Sonoma Blvd suite 224. The organizers ask that attendees register on Eventbrite because of limited space.

Similar events will be happening in San Francisco and San Leandro.

In San Francisco, Thrive City is hosting a free community event that includes performances of all kinds, from music to spoken word, with the headliner being August Lee Stevens. This event will take place at the Dance Mission Theater on Feb. 1 from 12-3 p.m. Though it is free, priority will be given to people who registered on Eventbrite.

In San Leandro, there will be the Black History Month RnB Day Market at 222 Davis St. This family-friendly event will be put on by the Downtown San Leandro Community Benefit District and include live music, dance performances and a fashion show. This free event will be on Feb. 15 from 12-6 p.m.

There are other ways to celebrate this month other than community festivals and block parties. For example, the College of Marin’s Umoja group is putting together a Black History Month Poetry Reading. This event will be free and take place on Feb. 19 from 12:40 to 1:30 p.m.

At the North Berkeley Senior Center there will be a Black History Month celebration hosted by the City of Berkeley, Health, Housing and Community Services, Mental Health Division. Keynote speaker Gigi Crowder, CEO of the Contra Costa County branch of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) will be giving a talk on Feb 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A Black History Month celebration with line dancing, music, and food will be in the Richmond Memorial Auditorium on Feb. 22 1-3 p.m. with doors opening at 12:30. This event will be hosted by the City of Richmond and attendees must register in advance. Tickets are $15 and for more details contact 510-620-6793.

Musical expression has always been a vital part of Black culture, and Black people have contributed largely to the development of many music genres. Stockton Soul is honoring Black History Month with an ensemble created to highlight the legacy of Black music with influences like Curtis Mayfield and Isaac Hayes. The concert will be held on Feb. 15 with tickets for only $8 for adults.