Dis Living Jazz Celebrates MLK in Oakland with Music and Love ... see page 2
Are Recall Campaigns Targeting Black and Progressive Conscious Reflection: Black Caucus Observes MLK Day Amid California Firestorms... see page 4 Officials Across U.S.?.. see page 2
BOOK REVIEW: Slavery after Slavery... see page 7
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
62nd Year, No. 4
postnewsgroup.com
The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority Returns $2.6 Million to the City of Oakland
Interim District 2 Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan. Courtesy photo.
By Rebecca Kaplan Special to the Post The Coliseum and Arena have continued to thrive, hosting a variety of live, sold-out events that have generated significant revenue and created this opportunity. As a result, on Jan. 17, I voted alongside my fellow Coliseum Authority commissioners to authorize the return of $2.6 million each, to the City of Oakland and the County of Alameda respectively. It is our expectations these funds be used to save fire services.
Attorney General Bonta: People Should Not Have to Fear Gun Violence While Riding on Public Transit Special to The Post California Attorney General Bonta, as part of a multistate coalition, announced the filing of an amicus brief in support of Illinois in Schoenthal v. Raoul, a case pending in the Seventh Circuit involving a challenge to Illinois’s ban on carrying firearms on public transportation. “While people travel to work, to their homes, or with their children, they should not have to fear gun violence,” said Attorney General Bonta. “It is common sense that loaded guns do not belong on buses, trains, or subways. States have the responsibility to protect their communities. The fact is: more guns in more places makes us less safe. “The Supreme Court has acknowledged that states have the authority to enact reasonable restrictions to protect communities, including sensitive places restrictions on where guns may be carried. We support and recognize states’ authority to enact common sense laws to maintain public safe-
Second Anniversary of FAME Oakland Fire Approaches with Powerful Commemorative Weekend
The seven finalists for Alameda County District Attorney awaiting their interviews. Photo by Magaly Munoz.
Alameda County Supervisors Are One Step Closer to Picking a New District Attorney
By Magaly Muñoz
The Alameda County Supervisors interviewed seven finalist candidates to fill the vacant District Attorney spot at a lengthy special meeting Tuesday afternoon. A new DA will be chosen as early as next week and will be sworn in by February. This vacancy arose following the recall of former DA Pamela Price. The seven candidates were
selected from a pool of 15 applicants that the Board narrowed down last Thursday. Here is a summary of what each candidate said during their presentations: Elgin Lowe Lowe is a Senior Deputy DA for Alameda County with almost 30 years of legal experience, and has worked under three DAs. He said his vision Continued on page 8
Pastor Rodney sits in the church’s sanctuary following the devastating three alarm fire in 2023. Courtesy photo. By Oakland Post Staff As the second anniversary of the fire that devastated First AME Church of Oakland (FAME Oakland) approaches, the oldest African American church in the East Bay is gearing up for a major commemorative weekend. Despite the loss of their permanent church home, FAME
Oakland has remained steadfast in its mission of evangelism and growth through mental health, ministry and music. “The essence of a church lies in the actions taken outside the physical confines of a building. I am immensely proud of our congregation for their unwavering Continued on page 8
Since the Trump administration’s cancellation of the 2011 “sensitive areas” memo, faith communities associated with the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity are affirming their commitment to sanctuary, which means continuing to welcome immigrants and offering solidarity, support, and services regardless of immigration status. The “Sensitive Locations Memo,” introduced during the Protests are taking place across California against federal Obama administration in 2011, immigration raids. Photo courtesy KERA News. advised immigration enforcement offices of education and school not sites of fear,” said Alex Traverofficers to avoid making arrests in districts also quickly rebuked the so, director of communications of places like schools and houses of Trump administration’s policies the State Board of Education. “Evworship. allowing immigration enforce- ery child deserves to learn without In addition, California state ment near or in schools. intimidation, and California will officials and leaders of county “Schools must be safe spaces, do all we can to protect our stu-
dents.” The directive issued Tuesday by Department of Homeland Security acting Secretary Benjamine Huffman reverses the 2011 memo, restricting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agencies from detaining immigrants near locations like schools, childcare centers, playgrounds, hospitals, and churches. “This action empowers the brave men and women in CBP and ICE to enforce our immigration laws and catch criminal aliens — including murderers and rapists — who have illegally come into our country. Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arContinued on page 8
Faith Communities Vow to Continue Sanctuary Despite Trump’s Removal of Protections for Churches and Schools CA State leaders also rebuke Trump’s immigration policies
By Post Staff “It is common sense that loaded guns do not belong on buses, trains, or subways,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta says. iStock image by Nicescene. ty, including constitutional gun regulations that respond to local needs and concerns, while respecting Second Amendment rights.” The multistate amicus brief explains the importance of reasonable gun regulations that are consistent with the Second Amendment to help maintain public safety. It highlights the importance of restricting the carrying of firearms in certain sensitive places—including on public transportation—and disContinued on page 8
Blair Underwood and Black Pearl Investments Support the ‘New Oakland’
By Paul Cobb Post Publisher
After last week’s column announcing how some entertainers and current or former athletes are following the example of Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry and his wife, Ayesha, others are responding to Oakland’s needy by investing their hard-earned wealth in projects that serve and build community. The help of these wealthy people is also significant during these challenging times when many community leaders are scrambling to address the potential shortfalls of DEI (Diversity Equity &Inclusion) measures and other means of community subsi-
Blair Underwood. Courtesy Gary Reeves. Caption: Gary Reeves. File photo. dies being eliminated by the cur-
initiative to lend his celebrity
Underwood has been quietly
rent political establishment.
and business acumen to assist the
very active and supportive of Bay
Esteemed actor and philan-
forthcoming Oakland leadership
Area non-profits and small busi-
thropist Blair Underwood said
in building a healthier and safer
nesses. He is also a big advocate
he is joining the “New Oakland”
community.
for under-resourced students in
the public school system. Last September he was honored in Houston on World AIDS Day for his work with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Janet Jackson performed a special concert in his honor coordinated by AHF and Gary Reeves, Underwood’s business partner and social impact strategist. (Reeves is an Emmy Awardwinning television producer and a former Golden State Warriors spiritual advisor.) Underwood feels Oakland is a city worthy of resources and leadership that can emotionally impact the overall community. So, he wants to continue to meet with “trust agents” and thought leaders from the community to under-
stand the needs of its residents. Reeves received a letter from Black Pearl Investments (BPI) indicating that their company, which was additionally inspired by the Post News Group’s New Oakland Series, would like to partner and expand the AASEG Coliseum development plan. Reeves said the BPI impact funds could be used to partner with the Oakland Private Industry Council for social enterprise, generational
wealth-building,
family entertainment and socioeconomic inclusion for local residents that includes workforce housing and economic development.