Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
Rep. Barbara Lee Hosts Roundtable on Public Safety, Congratulates AASEG on Oakland Coliseum Deal
(L-R) Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12) and Jonathan Paul Jones, African American Sport & Entertainment Group (AASEG). Photo by Conway Jones. By Post Staff On
Wednesday,
Congress-
woman Barbara Lee (CA-12) hosted a transformative community
61st Year, No. 33
Weekly Edition. Edition. August 14 - 20, 2024
postnewsgroup.com
roundtable at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center on Ninth street. The gathering brought together leaders from various sectors to unite around a shared mission: to address public
safety, gun violence prevention, and social justice in the East Bay. Congresswoman Lee's roundtable united community leaders across her district and strengthened relationships while fostering collaborative solutions to their common challenges. Attendees were city leaders from Alameda, Communities United Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), the Peralta Community College District, Kingmakers of Oakland (KOO), Live Free USA, and numerous Oakland community and nonprofit leaders. By connecting leaders from across the East Bay, the roundtable facilitated meaningful dialogue on combating crime and promoting public safety. The event underscored a collective commitment to addressing violence and fostering social justice in the region. The event was hosted by Francis Lan, president of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce (OCCC) and Carl Chan, president of Oakland Continued on page 10
Oakland Officials Appear to Break Faith on Promises to Downtown’s Black Businesses and Cultural District “Promises made must be promises kept,” said club owner Geoffrey Pete
Geoffrey Pete during his appeal hearing to the Planning Commission’s rulings at Oakland City Council, Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023. Photo by Ken Epstein. By Ken Epstein
The Oakland City Council made a firm promise in January to provide resources to support Geoffrey’s Inner Circle and the Black Art Movement and Business District (BAMBD). As a result of the agreement, owner of Geoffrey's Inner Circle,
Geoffrey Pete and many African American leaders and groups,
agreed to drop the appeal against the city’s Planning Commissions
flawed approval of a massive high
rise in the middle of the historic Black district.
Since then, City Council and
the administration have refused
to discuss implementing their commitment and seem to be trying to squirm out of their promises, say community leaders. For example, the issue was scheduled four times on the council’s agenda for discussion but was removed. “We want our issue front and center now and done,” said Mr. Pete, adding that the community has the right to expect more from Councilmembers Carroll Fife, Nikki Fortunato Bas, and Rebecca Kaplan, as well as Mayor Sheng Thao and her administration. The promises include: • Public streetscape improvements, including banners, to honor, uplift and commemorate important cultural, sports, arts, and historic people and institutions in Oakland. • Funding to support, arts, music, comedy, and cultural
Continued on page 10
Bay Cities Ministers Revival Seeks Souls and Security
Members of the Bay Cities Baptist Ministers Union. First row: J. Captain, C. Harris, E. Lloyd, J.L. Hudson, J.L. Smith, F. Henry, C. Prince, S. Robinson, and J. Jones. Second row: F. Robinson, H. Williams, D. Jones, C. Green, R. Easterling, K. Young, S. Walker, C.L. Hopkins, and W. Culp. Third Row: G. Taylor, E. Barfield, M. Robinson, I. Green, G. Johnson, T. Butler, and J. Swain. Fourth row: R. Elzey, E. Bullen, R. Lacy, E. Ward, K. Dearman, S. Williams, and R. Lathem. Courtesy photo
Baptist ministers pray for plans, leaders and groups who are working for solutions.
By Special to the Post
The Bay Cities Baptist Minister’s Union hosts its 37th Citywide Revival with one of the best tag-team evangelists across the country. Dr. Frank E. Ray Sr., senior
pastor of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, and Dr. Tellis J. Chapman, senior pastor of Galilee Missionary Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, reunite for an explosive week of spiritual enlightenment.
Judge Orders Three to Stand Trial for the Murder of Oakland Police Officer Tuan Le
Aug. 19, the first Monday in August after the third Sunday, will feature one revival in two locations: Star Bethel Missionary Baptist Church at 11 a.m. under the leadership of Senior Pastor Earl Ward and Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church at 6:30
p.m. under the leadership of Senior Pastor Joe L. Smith. The churches are respectively located at 5800 San Pablo Ave. and 5717 Foothill Blvd. The revival will highlight the value of first responders. They will learn how to evaluate situ-
ations, effectively render aid to those in need and get the opportunity to strengthen the network to better assist one another. The Bay Cities Baptist Minister’s Union is one of the largest groups of church leaders that meet every Tuesday to make an impact
District Attorney Pamela Price. File photo. Special to The Post
The preliminary hearing in the case of Oakland Police Officer Tuan Le’s murder concluded with Hon. Judge Delia Trevino finding sufficient evidence for the three defendants, Sebron Russell, Mark Demetrious Sanders, and Allen Starr Brown, to stand trial for the Dec. 29, 2023, shooting death of
Officer Tuan Le. The court also found that the evidence supports commercial burglary charges against the fourth defendant, Marquis Copper. Trevino stated that she reviewed the case law and considered the roles of each individual when making her decision. Continued on page 10
By Magaly Muñoz
The Oakland Police Officers Association is the newest set of upset residents calling on Mayor Sheng Thao to resign from office because of her alleged mismanagement of the city. Thao is already facing a recall election that will take place this November. Opponents have said
on numerous occasions that they would rather she resign than have to go through the process of an election. OPOA’s executive team sent Thao a lengthy letter Monday citing all the failures she’s had under her administration, with lack of police staffing being the No. 1 Continued on page 10
The ministers invite people to come and witness a mighty move of God as the city comes together in one week of unity. Aug. 19-23.
District 4 Councilmember Ramachandran Announces Support for Iris Merriouns for Oakland District 7
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. File photo.
Pressure Rises as More People Call on Mayor Sheng Thao to Resign from Office
in the East Bay communities.
Iris Merriouns currently serves as chief of staff for District 4 Councilmember Janani Ramachandran and previously served as chief of staff for District 7 Councilman Larry Reid. Courtesy photo. Special to The Post
District 4 Councilmember Janani Ramachandran formally announced her support for Iris Merriouns, Oakland City Council candidate for Oakland District 7.
The seat is being vacated by current District 7 Councilmember Treva Reid. Merriouns currently serves as Ramachandran’s chief of staff. “At a time when Oakland’s leadership is suffering, we need bold leaders to step up to the plate to confront these challenges. Iris has been invaluable to my leadership on the Council thus far, and I would be elated to continue partnering with her as a colleague to take on the demanding work that lies ahead,” says Ramachandran. Merriouns is a longtime District 7 resident and community advocate, and previously served as chief of staff for former District 7 Councilmember Larry Reid for more than 20 years. Ramachandran went on to say, “Iris knows D7 like the back of her hand — from the hills to the flats, the community knows and rec-
Continued on page 10