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‘Trash Tour’ of Oakland Shows Officials That Not All Neighborhoods Are Treated Equally

East Oakland residents took local officials on a “trash tour” of the city last weekend to highlight the differences in public services delivered to different parts of the city.
The driving tour visited some of the city’s more affluent neighborhoods, with a stop at Mayor Libby Schaaf’s home, to make it clear that residents expect the mayor to take action to remedy the dumping and potholes that plague the streets of East Oakland.
Other stops in the Trash Tour included underserved locations in East Oakland.
“We’ve been dealing with these issues for years,” said District 7 resident Enrique Martinez.
“We pay taxes just like people in the mayor’s neighborhood. So why do our children have to walk over piles of filth to get to school?”
The tour was organized by residents of Council Districts 2, 5, 6, and 7 who are working a new alliance of community-based organizations, East Oakland Congress of Neighborhoods, to strengthen their impact and influence on the issues that most affect their lives, according to a press statement.
In 2017, the Congress of Neighborhoods held “peoples’ assemblies” that brought together over 800 residents to create an East Oakland agenda that addresses their concerns.
“We know that we are stronger together,” said District 5 resident and Congress leader Andre Spearman. “All of our Flatlands neighborhoods face the same problems, whatever district we live in or whatever language we speak.
“We are tired of cleaning up trash that the city should take care of. We want to tell the mayor and other elected officials that enough is enough—do your job!”
The residents want the city to increase resources to solve illegal dumping, including adding an illegal dumping cleanup crew, restoring trash inspector positions and targeting hot spots with dedicated crews and more lighting.
The Saturday morning Trash Tour started at the offices of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), 2501 International Blvd.
Officials who attended the event included Councilmembers Rebecca Kaplan, Desley Brooks and Noel Gallo, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, Assemblymember Rob Bonta and Director of the Public Works Jason Mitchell.
The Mayor’s Office. Councilmember Larry Reid and District Attorney Nancy O’Malley sent representatives, and Councilmember Abel Guillén sent a statement.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May 21 – 27, 2025

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OP-ED: Oregon Bill Threatens the Future of Black Owned Newspapers and Community Journalism
BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr.
President and CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
For decades, The Skanner newspaper in Portland, the Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium have served Portland, Oregon’s Black community and others with a vital purpose: to inform, uplift and empower. But legislation now moving through the Oregon Legislature threatens these community news institutions—and others like them.
As President and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents more than 255 Black-owned media outlets across the United States—including historic publications like The Skanner, Portland Observer, and the Portland Medium—l believe that some Oregon lawmakers would do more harm than good for local journalism and community-owned publications they are hoping to protect.
Oregon Senate Bill 686 would require large digital platforms such as Google and Meta to pay for linking to news content. The goal is to bring desperately needed support to local newsrooms. However, the approach, while well-intentioned, puts smaller, community-based publications at a future severe financial risk.
We need to ask – will these payments paid by tech companies benefit the journalists and outlets that need them most? Nearly half of Oregon’s media outlets are now owned by national conglomerates with no lasting investment in local communities. According to an OPB analysis, Oregon has lost more than 90 news jobs (and counting) in the past five years. These were reporters, editors, and photographers covering school boards, investigating corruption, and telling community stories, until their jobs were cut by out-of-state corporations.
Legislation that sends money to these national conglomerate owners—without the right safeguards to protect independent and community-based outlets—rewards the forces that caused this inequitable crisis in the first place. A just and inclusive policy must guarantee that support flows to the front lines of local journalism and not to the boardrooms of large national media corporations.
The Black Press exists to fill in the gaps left by larger newsrooms. Our reporters are trusted messengers. Our outlets serve as forums for civic engagement, accountability and cultural pride. We also increasingly rely on our digital platforms to reach our audiences, especially younger generations—where they are.
We are fervently asking Oregon lawmakers to take a step back and engage in meaningful dialogue with those most affected: community publishers, small and independent outlets and the readers we serve. The Skanner, The Portland Observer, and The Portland Medium do not have national corporate parents or large investors. And they, like many smaller, community-trusted outlets, rely on traffic from search engines and social media to boost advertising revenue, drive subscriptions, and raise awareness.
Let’s work together to build a better future for Black-owned newspapers and community journalism that is fair, local,l and representative of all Oregonians.
Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., President & CEO, National Newspaper Publishers Association
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