Dis Asm. McKinnor Introduces New Plan to Protect Renters, Bring Down Housing Costs ... see page 2
OPINION: War as Cover, Deportation as Policy, and Pain as Metaphor ... see page 2
Alma Levant Hayden: The Scientist Who Protected Public Health ... see page 4
‘It’s Bigger Than One Person’: Black Caucus Members Support Bill Renaming César Chávez Day to Farmworkers Day ... see page 6
Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
63rd Year, No. 13
Weekly Edition April 1 - 7, 2026
postnewsgroup.com
OPINION:
Women’s History Month Spotlight: Oakland Rising— Oakland’s Next Steps to Arts & Wellness Are Implement Equity in Public Rebuilding Community Contracting
NAMC NorCal President Mario Wagner. Photo by Josh Egel. Special to the Post The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce (OAACC), the Construction Resource Center (CRC), the National Association of Minority Contractors (NAMC), and the East Bay Rental Housing Association (EBRHA) and other businesses leaders have come together to collectively develop a set of initial recommendations aimed at helping the City of Oakland move from acknowledging disparities to actively addressing them. This is not just another round of advocacy. This is a coordinated effort grounded in real experience, businesses bidding work, contractors building
projects, developers navigating housing challenges, and organizations working every day to prepare local firms to compete. Each organization brings a different lens. OAACC represents Blackowned and local businesses across industries. CRC brings expertise in contractor development and capacitybuilding. NAMC NorCal represents contractors working to access and grow within public and private markets. EBRHA brings critical insight into housing, development, and how economic access ties directly into stability for Oakland residents. The message is straightforward: Oakland does not need more discussion. It needs implementation. The disparity study provided a detailed, data-driven picture of how public contracting dollars are currently distributed, and where gaps persist. What it shows is that while local, small, and minority-owned businesses are present and capable, their participation does not yet reflect their availability within the marketplace. That imbalance carries real consequences. It limits business growth,
Dolores Huerta. Courtesy of LAist.
Tonya Marie Amos, left, founder of Aspire Pilates Center in Oakland, and Wren Amos, right, project manager of Grown Women Dance Collective, work together in wellness for women. Photo by Jonathan ‘Fitness’ Jones. By Dr. Maritony Jones
arts and wellness to drive social
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we honor women whose leadership is transforming communities. In Oakland, one such leader is Tonya Marie Amos—a dancer, entrepreneur, and visionary using
change. Amos began her journey in 2006 with Aspire Pilates Center in Concord at a time when wellness spaces were largely inaccessible to many communities. After a Continued on page 8
Continued on page 8
The Rev. William J. Barber Calls for Strategy, Training to Get Out the Vote California Attorney General Rob Bonta. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General.
The Rev. William J. Barber. File photo. By The Rev. William J. Barber Roland Martin, host of the daily online show “Unfiltered,” this week shared a speech presented by prominent leader Bishop William J. Barber II at the Southern Regional Convention of Alpha Phi Alpha in North Carolina. An excerpt of that speech is shared below. We can’t be playing checkers
while they’re playing chess. There is a Third Deconstruction going on, and we must decide that we will have a Third Reconstruction. I’ve been battling a disease for 47 years. And I remember the day that the doctors told me it was over. I had to make up my mind: would I believe them, or would I believe God? And my own commitment? Continued on page 8
Atty Gen. Bonta Leads Multistate Pushback Against Federal Proposal Targeting DEI Programs
By Post Staff California Attorney General Rob Bonta is leading a coalition of 23 attorneys general opposing a Trump administration proposal that could reshape how federal funding recipients handle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Activist Says Donations Needed for Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
By Post Staff
A witness to the recent islandwide blackout in Cuba spoke about the resilience of the Cuban people in an interview this week recorded on KPFA Radio 94.1. An activist who does Cuba solidarity work, Marcus discussed the ongoing U.S. blockade on the deliv-
ery of petroleum to Cuba, which has curtailed the production of electricity and dramatically impacted hospitals, public health, and the quality of daily life. A resident of Columbus, Ohio, Marcus was interviewed by the hosts of the show, “Education Today,” Kitty Kelly Epstein and Jaron Continued on page 8
Port of Oakland Recognized for Efforts to Protect Whales
parts argue that a proposed rule by the General Services Administration (GSA) would impose new and unnecessary requirements on organizations seeking federal funds, while discouragContinued on page 8
On Jan. 6, 2021, rioters assaulted approximately 140 police officers in the attack, including about 80 U.S. Capitol Police and 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department. Photo courtesy BlackPressUSA.com. In a historic ruling this week, a federal judge denied much of former President Donald Trump’s motion to dismiss lawsuits against him for the violent mob attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The ruling by Judge Amit Mehta allows Lee, et al. v. Trump, et al., to proceed toward trial because the
Mayor Barbara Lee and other Oakland, state, and national leaders, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass (D) and Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), are standing in solidarity with organizer Dolores Huerta and other women who have come forward alleging they were sexually abused or assaulted by the late civil rights leader César Chávez. Adding weight to widespread concern about the recent allegations, the United Farm Workers (UFW), the labor union founded by Chávez and co-founded by Huerta, announced it did not celebrate this year’s annual César Chávez Day on March 31 and encouraged organizing groups to not hold events recognizing his contributions. According to the UFW, there were “disturbing allegations involve inappropriate behavior by César Chávez with young women and minors.” Mayor Lee said she is “unequivocally” with Huerta and the others who’ve accused Chávez. “Their courage in speaking out
must be met not only with words but with action, accountability, and an unflinching devotion to justice and dignity,” she wrote. “No one person is above accountability.” Oakland City Councilmember Noel Gallo said, “It’s heartbreaking. For me, (Chávez is) someone I’ve honored, respected, and followed.” “Growing up here in East Oakland,” and following Chávez’s model, Gallo said, “motivated many of us to not only speak out on behalf of our communities but to do the work…advocating for the humanity of not just farmworkers but those of us in the neighborhood.” After the accusations surfaced, State Senator Jesse Arreguín, who represents Oakland and Berkeley, said he supports survivors, including Huerta, whom he called a “long-time friend.” “As the son and grandson of farmworkers, the labor movement has always lived in my bones and in many working families,” he said. “The labor movement is Continued on page 8
March 27, Bonta and his counter-
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee’s Suit Against Donald Trump Over Jan. 6 Violence Advances
By Post Staff
By Post Staff
In a comment letter filed
Tons of humanitarian aid is flowing into Cuba. Courtesy of AP News.
Cubans Are Resilient in Face of U.S. Blockade
Oakland Leaders Back UFW Organizer Dolores Huerta, Women Allegedly Abuse by César Chávez
Supreme Court decision to exempt him from criminal liability does not apply in this case. “I am gratified with this landmark decision, which serves as a reminder to the American people that no one is above the law. Jan. 6, 2021, is a day that is seared in my memory and the memories of so many in this Continued on page 8
The Port of Oakland. File photo. By Post Staff The Port of Oakland is receiving a Gold Award from the organization Protecting Blue Whales and Blue Skies (BWBS) on April 22 for participation in the 2025 Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) Season. The Port joined the program last year as one of its ambassadors to help protect migrating whales and coastal air quality. The ambassadors work with participating shipping lines to encourage greater industry participation in voluntary efforts to reduce fatal strike risk to endangered whales, air and underwater noise pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. BWBS is a voluntary Vessel Speed Reduction (VSR) verification and recognition program, formed by the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Sanctuaries, Bay Area Air District and California coastal county-based air pollution control districts. Participating shipping companies’ fleets travel at 10 knots (11.5 mph) or less in the VSR zones from May to December, which coincides with peak ozone and endangered whale presence. Traveling at decreased speeds significantly reduces whale and environmental impacts. “The Port of Oakland is pleased to be recognized with a Blue Whales Blue Skies Gold Award,” said Port of Oakland Environmental Director Colleen Liang. “Participating as an ambassador is another example of our commitment to improving air Continued on page 8