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Oakland Post “Where there is no vision, the people perish...” Proverbs 29:18
63nd Year, No. 23
Weekly Edition June 10 - 16, 2026
postnewsgroup.com
Community Mobilizes After Trump Announces $75 Million to Build West Oakland Coal Terminal
‘This is an all-hands on deck moment,’ says ‘No Coal in Oakland’
Shutterstock.
Mayor Lee and Crankstart Announce $9.2 Million Investment to Combat Illegal Dumping Landmark public-private partnership will deliver innovative solutions to create cleaner streets and neighborhoods
By Post Staff Mayor Barbara Lee this week announced a landmark $9.2 million, three-year public-private partnership with Crankstart, a Bay Areabased family foundation, to fund a comprehensive citywide strategy that will break the cycle of illegal dumping across Oakland and advance the city on a trajectory toward clean streets. “Our residents deserve clean streets, and they deserve a city that fights for them with every tool available,” said Mayor Lee. “This partnership with Crankstart shows what is possible when we refuse to accept the status quo and instead bring together the public and private sectors to build the Oakland our communities deserve. “We are not waiting for someone else to solve this. We are doing it now.” This project represents the largest philanthropic investment in illegal dumping prevention in Oakland’s
modern-day history. The announcement underscores Mayor Lee’s commitment to developing creative partnerships that deliver results for Oakland residents — meeting the city’s most pressing challenges headon at a moment when every public dollar must be stretched further, according to a city media release. The investment builds on Oakland’s Illegal Dumping Expenditures Action Plan, recently adopted by the City Council, which establishes a comprehensive strategy to reduce illegal dumping through enforcement, eradication, and education. By making early public investments in pilot projects and adopting a clear implementation framework, the City has positioned itself to successfully attract and leverage private philanthropic support. The Crankstart grant will accelerate and expand the City’s adopted strategy, enabling Oakland to scale proven interventions, test innovative approaches, and strengthen accountContinued on page 8
Pastor Dr. Ken Chambers. File photo. By Ken Epstein Community environmental groups are intensifying efforts to organize resistance after President Donald Trump announced last week that the federal government will invest $700 million to boost the coal industry in the U.S., including $75 million to build the long-delayed West Oakland Coal Terminal. In remarks at a press conference on June 4 at the White House, Trump relied on an old law, the Defense Production Act, as the basis for the investment, with the bulk of the money – $425 million – going to support 13 existing coal plants across the country. “Starting this summer, the West Gateway project (in West Oakland) Continued on page 8
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee joins with supporters to announce her campaign for reelection on June 6. Photo courtesy of Committee to Reelect Barbara Lee.
Mayor Barbara Lee Kicks Off Reelection Campaign, Pledges to Keep Oakland Moving Forward
By Post Staff
Mayor Barbara Lee has formally announced her reelection campaign, seeking a full fouryear term, promising to “continue building a safer, cleaner and more prosperous Oakland for all residents.” Mayor Lee launched her campaign with a message of “unity and progress” — pointing to the broad coalition of Oakland residents who came together last year to turn the page on division, instability, and a City Hall that too
often failed to deliver transparency, accountability and results. “I am running for reelection because our work together for a vibrant Oakland is far from finished,” said Lee. “In the next four years, my commitment to you is this: I will keep fighting for a city
where our children can dream boldly, our seniors can age with dignity, our working families can afford to live, our small businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, and young people can thrive, and every neighborhood is safe Continued on page 8
Oakland Completes Regional Trail for Cyclists, Pedestrians Connecting East Bay BART Stations
RJOY Seeks Applications for Internship on Restorative Justice Mayor Barbara Lee’s ‘Safety in Oakland First’ Community Town Hall Your Voice. Your Neighborhood. Your Safety.
Special to The Post
Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY) is seeking applications for a paid, two-week internship aimed at helping youth become circle keepers knowledgeable in both the theoretical and practical aspects of restorative justice. Interns will learn how to facilitate community building circles,
City Council members Carroll Fife and Kevin Jenkins congratulate Mayor Barbara Lee for receiving a grant to help keep Oakland’s neighborhood streets clean. Photo courtesy City of Oakland. Special to The Post Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee and key city leaders are inviting the public to an important community conversation focused on public safety, neighborhood well-being, and building a stronger Oakland together. It will take place on Thursday, June 25 at St. Benedict’s Church at 2245 82nd Ave., in Oakland from 6-7:30 p.m. This town hall is an opportunity to hear directly from city leadership about the work underway to reduce violence, improve emergency response, support community-based solutions, and strengthen public
safety across Oakland. Residents will also have the opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and help shape solutions for their neighborhoods. Featured speakers include: • Mayor Barbara Lee • City Council President Kevin Jenkins • Dist. 18 State Assemblymember Mia Bonta • Police Chief James Beere • Fire Chief Damon Covington • Department of Violence Prevention Chief Dr. Holly Joshi • Assistant City Administrator Michelle Phillips • Economic and Workforce De-
while developing skills in leadership, public speaking, communication, life-planning and environmental education. The first cohort of the Ubusha Youth Internships — for 11-14-year-olds — has already begun, but openings are available for the second cohort for high school youth ages 15-19. The last day to apply is June Continued on page 8
Oakland PIC Helps Find Jobs
Before-and-after photos of the portion of the East Bay Greenway that runs from Lake Merritt to South Hayward BART stations. Courtesy photos. By Kent Bravo Special to The Post
Oakland Private Industry Council’s new location provides employment training and leads from its new office at 1720 Broadway in downtown Oakland. Photo by Jonathan Fitness Jones.
The Oakland Department of Transportation has completed a section of the East Bay Greenway, a regional trail for cyclists and pedestrians that would connect between the Lake Merritt and South Hayward BART stations. The latest completed section is near Oakland Coliseum BART and is a path separate from highspeed traffic along San Leandro Avenue between Seminary Avenue and 75th Avenue, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel
more safely along this corridor. The announcement of the opening of the new path took place Wednesday morning on the trail at the intersection of 66th Ave. and San Leandro St. in Oakland. Present were Oakland Department of Transportation Director Josh Rowan, Oakland City Council President and District 6 Councilmember Kevin Jenkins and Farid Javandel, director of Project Delivery for the Alameda County Transportation Commission. Kent Bravo is the public information officer for the Oakland Department of Transportation.