Dis California Leaders Pay Tribute to Quincy Jones ... see page 2
Covered California Open Enrollment Began Nov. 1 .... see page 2
Nov. 5 General Election Update: Most California Black Candidates Are on Track to Win .. see page 6
MacArthur Fellow Jennifer Morgan’s Work Focuses on Slavery’s Impact on Black Women ... see page 7
Biden/Harris Peaceful Exchange of Power
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
postnewsgroup.com
Weekly Edition. Edition. November 6 - 12, 2024
61st Year, No. 45
VP Harris Bids Farewell to Howard University Crowd, Urges Supporters to Keep Fighting for America Carroll Fife. Courtesy photo.
Councilmember Carroll Fife, on Track to Win Reelection, Looks to Oakland’s Progress
Poster advertising ‘The Strike,’ a documentary about California prisoners responding to solitary confinement with hunger strikes. Courtesy image.
Oakland Theater Hosts Screening of ‘The Strike’ Documentary, an Incarceration Resilience Story
By Magaly Muñoz
Over 600 people packed Grand Lake Theatre in Oakland last week for a screening of ‘The Strike,’ a documentary about the longest hunger strike in U.S. history, conducted by incarcerated men living in solitary confinement. The film follows different men who are part of a generation of inmates subjected to solitary confinement for years at a time, and in some cases, decades. Many of the men were housed inside Pelican Bay State Prison, a solitary housing unit or SHU built in the 1980s, which was considered one of the toughest confinement prisons in California. These men endured years with little to no human contact, aside from interactions with prison guards, during their confinement. They were stuck in an 8’ by 10’
box for 23 hours a day with only one hour of outdoor recreation in a slightly longer cell that was isolated from the outside world. Some recreation boxes didn’t even provide an open concept for inmates to get fresh air and sunlight. In 2011, inmates went on a 19-day hunger strike to protest the living conditions inside the prison. Inmates decided to end the strike after leaders with the California Department of Corrections promised they’d make strides with changing policy. Two years later, when no significant changes had been made, inmates went on a second hunger strike, this time, for 59 days. The documentary shows clips of policy makers and California prison leaders both defending the choices of putting inmates in solitary confinement indefinitely, and Continued on page 8
Statement from Congresswoman Barbara Lee on Election Results
Congresswoman Barbara Lee. File photo. Special to the Post Democratic Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) released the following statement on the results of the 2024 presidential election: “This is a dangerous and frightening moment for our democracy. I am fearful that the progress we’ve made over the past four years will be undone. That said, we cannot lose sight of the fact that more than 68 million Americans voted to take our country forward. They voted for progress. They voted for Vice
President Kamala Harris. “Kamala Harris, like Shirley Chisholm before her, paved the way for Black women, women of color, and girls to know they can dream to aspire to run for the highest office in the United States of America. “Today, we must fight to preserve our democracy and our Constitution. We must fight to preserve our rights. “I traveled all over the country campaigning for Kamala Harris – I traveled to Arizona, Nevada, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and more. What remains true is that there are millions of people, including young people, who believe in the ideals this country was founded on. People who will continue to work for social, racial, and economic justice. “We cannot hide our disappointment and feelings. That is normal. But as Vice President Kamala Harris said, ‘Only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.’” —From U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee’s press office.
By Ken Epstein Vice President Kamala Harris speaking Nov. 6 at her alma mater, Howard University in Washington, D.C., concedes her 2024 presidential campaign against former President Donald Trump. Jada Ingleton/The Washington Informer. By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire On an outdoor stage on Howard University’s campus, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris formally conceded the presidential election to Donald J. Trump Wednesday afternoon after his victory was declared earlier that morning. The historic run would have made her the first woman, second Black person, and first person of South Asian descent to ascend to the country’s highest office. “Let me say my heart is full today — full of gratitude for the trust you have placed in me, full of love for our country, and full of resolve,” Harris said.
A diverse group of supporters, family members, and well-known allies, including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, NAACP President Derrick Johnson, a host of other elected officials, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, looked on as Harris emerged onto the stage at Howard University to the stirring strains of Beyoncé’s “Freedom.” Jeezy’s song “My President,” which features the stirring line “My president is Black,” energized the crowd before her entrance, setting the scene for a moving farewell speech. The atmosphere was charged as Harris began, looking out at a sea of American flags and Continued on page 8
District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife, though outspent by hundreds of thousands of dollars and facing a bitter campaign of slander, misrepresentations, and physical threats, seems to have emerged with a fairly comfortable lead in her reelection bid, well ahead of her nearest competitor (44% to 30%). In an interview with the Oakland Post Thursday, Councilmember Fife said she is hopeful that Congresswoman Barbara Lee would be willing to run for Oakland mayor if Mayor Sheng Thao is recalled. She also explained why she thinks her campaign has done so well against extreme challenges and talked about her priorities for the coming year, especially the need to stabilize leadership in city government.
“We’re on the right path,” said Fife. “We just need to bring in the right leadership, and I’m praying that Barbara Lee will consider running for mayor. I think she has the gravitas to pull Oakland together and unite everyone in a way that none of the top potential contenders will.” Fife explained why she feels she has been able to overcome very powerful opponents to win reelection. “There are several thousand votes outstanding (left to be counted), but it looks pretty good,” Fife said, emphasizing the impact of the door-to-door work her supporters have done over the past four years and her close ties with her constituents. “I attribute that to ongoing base-building and community organizing, outside of the elecContinued on page 8
With Recall of Mayor Sheng Thao Likely, What Happens Next?
Oakland City Council District 6 Councilmember Kevin Jenkins. File photo.
Councilmember Kevin Jenkins Responds to Recall Election Results, Calls for Unity and Action in Oakland
Special to The Post
Councilmember Kevin Jenkins, who serves Oakland’s District 6, issued the following statement in response to the results of the recent recall election: “As we await the final certification of the recall election, it is clear that the people of Oakland have made their voices heard. This election underscores that many residents believe our city has veered off course, and they are calling for change. Elections have lasting consequences, and serving in public office requires sacrifice, determination, and a commitment to listen to our communities. Now, more than ever, it’s time
for Oakland’s leaders to come together and work collaboratively to address the serious challenges we face. From safety and cleanliness to infrastructure and affordable housing, we must re-dedicate ourselves to building a city that every resident can take pride in—a city that truly reflects the strength, resilience, and diversity of Oakland. Together, we can forge a better path forward, one where Oaklanders can feel safe, valued, and hopeful about the future. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the City Council, community leaders, and every Oakland resident to create a safer, cleaner, and stronger Oakland.”
Oakland City Council president Nikki Fortunato Bas. File photo. Special to the Post On Nov. 6, in response to the apparent likelihood that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao would be recalled, Nikki Fortunato Bas made the following statement on what to expect before a new election takes place. As president of the Oakland City Council, my priority and commitment is caring for Oakand in a time of transition. While thousands of ballots remain to be counted and that process must be respected, it appears the voters have spoken. My duty is to ensure a transparent, responsible, and orderly transition of leadership that is beyond reproach. I am working
closely with our City Attorney to plan a smooth transition and process of selecting Oakland’s next leadership. First, the Alameda County Registrar of Voters must certify the election results within 30 days of the election, i.e., by Dec. 5. Then the City Council would declare the election results no later than its next regular meeting, which would be Dec. 17. Once the Council declares the results, if the voters’ decision is to recall Mayor Sheng Thao, the Office of Mayor becomes vacant, and the Council president serves as mayor until the vacancy is filled in a special election that is within 120 days of the vacancy.