Press

PRESS RELEASE: No Head Start Cuts, No Head Start Layoffs, No Head Start Closures
August 26, 2021 Dear Mayor Libby Schaaf and Oakland City Council, We are writing as a community-labor partnership and growing coalition of organizations who are collectively building power in the pursuit of an agenda that centers racial, gender, and economic...

SF CHRONICLE: “No, Oakland didn’t ‘defund’ the police” OP-ED by Cat Brooks
The data show that when the dollars flow into community-centered services, violence will decrease. As a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found: “No sector alone can prevent violence. Cities need integrated strategic plans and coordinated efforts across multiple sectors.”

94.1 KPFA: Reducing funding for policing that is racist and unjust
Last Thursday, June 24, the Oakland City Council took a major budget vote to reduce the size of a planned increase in police spending and divert resources to non-cop emergency response alternatives, after a year of fierce organizing and public outcry for reducing funding for policing that is racist and unjust.
Oakland residents divided over reinvesting police amid violence: ‘We all want to feel safe’
“Crime is on the increase because we’re in a pandemic,” Suk said. She said jobs, affordable housing, recreation programs for children and mental health services are desperately needed. “We need a response from the city that is different than what it is now,” she added.

94.1 KPFA: Oakland’s Budget Is Up for Vote Today
LISTEN ON KPFA WEBSITE HERE Fast forward to 1:50: Oakland’s biennial Budget is up for a big vote today. Cherri Murphy is a faith-rooted organizer with Faith Alliance For A Moral Economy, an initiative of the East Bay Alliance For A Moral Economy join us to discuss...

不只非裔 不少亞裔也是司法不公受害者/ Not Only African Americans, many Asians are also victims of judicial injustice
“In the Bay Area, several Asians died as a result of police violence, and Asians are also victims (police violence).” She emphasized that the interests of ethnic minorities are closely related, and all ethnic minorities should work together to oppose police violence.”

Oakland Artists Organize a Town Hall to Shape the City Budget
The Artists in Action virtual town hall on May 25 invites participants to bring their ideas and voices, and join a slate of artists and activists advocating for racial and economic justice.

Late, Confusing, & Police-Heavy: Schaaf Introduces Biennial Budget at City Council Meeting
“With the Mayor releasing her budget a week late and making broad claims about this being a “just recovery” budget it feels like she’s using the Budget Bureau’s inability to roll out the tool properly to cover for her pro-police budget,” said liz suk.

Maintain police spending or invest in alternatives: What do Oaklanders really want?
“Libby Schaaf has, for the last 7 years as mayor, used fear to continue to tell a story that the people want more policing when, in fact, the community is fearful of the police,” said Suk. “We’ve heard from the community, and her own survey shows that the priorities of the people of Oakland are investing in programs that address the root causes of poverty and violence, affordable and stable housing, and crime and violence prevention programs.”

The Mercury News: Oakland mayor’s proposed budget increases police spending
Allocates more for overtime By ANNIE SCIACCA OAKLAND — Mayor Libby Schaaf’s newly released budget proposal would increase police spending from the general purposes fund over the next two years, despite the Oakland City Council last year stating its goal to cut...

With The Late Release of Mayor’s Confusing Series of Web pages dubbed a “Budget”, the People of Oakland Demand: Prioritize Our Communities
Oakland, CA-The people of Oakland deserve clean streets, affordable housing, critical city services, and good jobs. From the flatlands to the hills, it is clear that in order to build a city where everyone can prosper, our city leaders must invest in the physical,...

94.1 KPFA: On the ground with protesters outside Oakland Mayor Schaaf’s home
Listen on 94.1 KPFA website 1:08 – BREAKING NEWS: Residents are rallying outside Mayor Libby Schaaf’s home to protest her illegal delay of the 2021-2023 budget. liz suk (@liz_suk) is interim executive director for Oakland Rising, which mobilizes and educates...

94.1 KPFA: The Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce recommendations go before the Public Safety Committee
LISTEN ON KPFA WEBSITE HERE Fast forward to 1:48: Oakland - The Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce recommendations go before the Public Safety Committee James Burch is the Policy Director of the Anti-Police Terror Project, and President of the National Lawyers...

OAKLANDVOICES.US: Oakland organizations working toward solidarity between Black and Asian communities
By Brandy Collins Posted April 2, 2021 7:13 pm It’s a difficult time to prioritize emotions. Days after people took to the streets in protest for #StopAsianHate responding to the mass shooting of eight people in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian...

Coalition of Progressive Labor & Community Groups Calls On The City of Oakland to “Reinvest in Recovery—Show Us the Receipts”
(Oakland, California) — In anticipation of the City Council accepting federal relief funds on March 29, a coalition of Community and Labor groups representing city workers, homeless advocates and residents called on City Leaders, including the Mayor and City Council,...

‘From Oakland to Atlanta,’ community members send messages of solidarity, resistance, and healing
By Momo Chang and Amir Aziz This article is cross-published with Oaklandside. One week after eight people were killed by a mass shooting suspect in Atlanta, including six Asian American women, community members from Oakland and beyond gathered at...

Oakland vigil honors Asian-American women killed in Atlanta shooting
OAKLAND, Calif. - In Oakland's Madison Park on Tuesday evening, crowds gathered for a vigil to mark one week since the shooting deaths of eight people in Atlanta, six of them women of Asian descent. The women who were murdered in Atlanta were of Korean...

94.1 KPFA: Ending Anti-Asian Violence
We check in with The Black Alliance for Peace to discuss US foreign policy in Haiti, Africa and South America. Later we speak with liz suk of Oakland Rising about ending anti-Asian violence. Guests: Ajamu Baraka with The Black Alliance for Peace and Elizabeth Suk -...

People rally in San Francisco’s Chinatown to ‘Stop Asian Hate’
by: Philippe Djegal Posted: Mar 20, 2021 / 12:49 PM SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) – San Francisco’s Chinatown hosted the latest rally against hate crimes targeting the Asian Community. City and state leaders joined hundreds of others demanding an end to the...

OAKLAND NEWS NOW: Liz Suk Executive Director of Oakland Rising Interview On Attacks On Asians In Atlanta, And USA
Zennie Abraham March 20, 2021 Watch the vlog Liz Suk Executive Director of Oakland Rising Interview On Attacks On Asians In Atlanta, And USA. https://youtu.be/xQOi17yTJqA Liz Suk speaks about the devastating attacks in Atlanta. liz has been organizing in and...

THE GUARDIAN: Police patrols have increased in Asian areas. Not everyone is feeling safer
The increased presence has provided relief for some, while others argue it’s a temporary and ineffective solution to a crisis San Francisco police patrol the Chinatown neighborhood on 18 March. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Vivian Ho in San...

Oakland launches civilian crisis response team to handle nonviolent mental health calls
"65% of the people say yes. We've been talking about reimagining public safety for a while now...it really goes to show that people really want to know what that looks like."- liz suk, Interim Executive Director of Oakland Rising OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The City of...

94.1 KPFA: Oakland moves a step closer to public safety reforms and defunding OPD
Click here to listen to the recording. Forward to minute 0:34. 0:34 – Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force meets for final time before sending recommendations to the City Council, advocates want transformative change James Burch is the Policy Director...

The Defund Oakland Police Coalition Celebrates 2nd Major Victory of the Week
In Response to Extensive Organizing, Oakland’s Task Force To Reimagine Public Safety Issued Key Recommendations to Defund OPD & Hold The City Accountable Contact: Cat Brooks (510) 506-2341, [email protected] (Oakland, CA)—As a result of...

KPIX5: UPDATE: Suspect Arrested In Oakland Robbery, Assault That Left 75-Year-Old Asian Man Brain Dead
By Katie Nielsen March 9, 2021 at 11:35 pm OAKLAND (KPIX 5) — Police in Oakland on Tuesday night announced an arrest in an assault and robbery that critically injured a 75-year-old Asian man, according to authorities. An official in Oakland’s Chinatown community...

New Report from the Anti Police-Terror Project: 1% of Calls to the Oakland Police Department take up 57% of Police Time
And non violent crime made up 96% of all service calls to the OPD--Data based on 442,812 calls made to OPD in 2019 Oakland--The Anti Police Terror-Project today released a new report conducted by AH Datalytics to analyze how the Oakland Police Department spends its...

Moving from Imagining to Action: Progressive Organizations, Elected Officials, and Labor Come Together To Bring 24/7 Mental Health Support Services To Oakland
(Oakland) - Thursday, Feb 25, Oakland--A coalition of Oakland progressive community organizations, labor groups, and elected officials are united in a demand to bring the Mobile Assistance Community Responders Of Oakland (MACRO) program in-house as an official city...

OAKLAND NEWS NOW: The Defund Oakland Police Coalition Report On Reimagining Public Safety In Oakland
Oakland – Today the Defund Oakland Police Coalition released a comprehensive report in response to the draft recommendations issued by Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force (RPSTF). At a press event today experts involved with the recommendation...

NEW REPORT: The Defund Oakland Police Coalition Report on Reimagining Public Safety In Oakland
Contact: Cat Brooks (510) 506-2341, [email protected] (Oakland, CA)—Wednesday, February 24--Today the Defund Oakland Police Coalition released a comprehensive report in response to the draft recommendations issued by Oakland’s Reimagining Public...

The Defund Police Coalition Responds to Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Draft Recommendations Released Yesterday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OAKLAND IS READY TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY THE DEFUND POLICE COALITION RESPONDS TO REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS RELEASED LAST WEEK (Oakland, CA)—On Friday, February 12th, Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Task...

WORLDJOURNAL.COM: Divestment of the Urumqi Police Budget Coalition to reshape the public security draft
Reported by reporter Chen Chengwei/ Wu Lun 2021-02-25 02:14 Brooks, the co-founder of the Anti-Police Terrorism Project, said that he hopes to truly bring security and development opportunities to the house. (Screenshot of video press conference) (Translated...

Asian American Organizations Across the Bay Area Join Forces to Demand Action Against Violence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS STATEMENT February 9, 2021 CONTACT Yamuna Hopwood, Communications Manager; 415-274-6760 x319 [email protected] (English) Jin Xia Niu, Chinese Language Media Specialist; 415-274-6760 x313 [email protected]...

KPIX5: Oakland City Council Votes For Immediate Pay Raise For Workers At Large Grocery Stores
OAKLAND (BCN/CBS SF) — Oakland city councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday to force large grocery stores to raise some workers’ pay by $5 per hour. The ordinance was passed as an emergency ordinance, so it takes effect immediately. It covers stores over 15,000...

Community Groups and Labor Organizations Decry the City Administrator’s Undemocratic Usurping of Legislative Powers During the Oakland Budgeting Process
Oakland- Community and labor groups today accused the City Administrator of majorly overstepping his executive powers by making budgetary decisions without the input of the City Council or the public. At the January 25th Finance Committee meeting, City...

The Mercury News: “Coronavirus: East Bay group to launch $10 million fund to fight wealth gap, pandemic closures”
The REAL People’s Fund plans to distribute its first $3 million this spring to support entrepreneurs of color, among others. By LAURENCE DU SAULT | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group | PUBLISHED: December 18, 2020 at 9:15 a.m. | UPDATED: December 21,...

PRESS RELEASE: No Head Start Cuts, No Head Start Layoffs, No Head Start Closures
August 26, 2021 Dear Mayor Libby Schaaf and Oakland City Council, We are writing as a community-labor partnership and growing coalition of organizations who are collectively building power in the pursuit of an agenda that centers racial, gender, and economic...

SF CHRONICLE: “No, Oakland didn’t ‘defund’ the police” OP-ED by Cat Brooks
The data show that when the dollars flow into community-centered services, violence will decrease. As a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information found: “No sector alone can prevent violence. Cities need integrated strategic plans and coordinated efforts across multiple sectors.”

94.1 KPFA: Reducing funding for policing that is racist and unjust
Last Thursday, June 24, the Oakland City Council took a major budget vote to reduce the size of a planned increase in police spending and divert resources to non-cop emergency response alternatives, after a year of fierce organizing and public outcry for reducing funding for policing that is racist and unjust.
Oakland residents divided over reinvesting police amid violence: ‘We all want to feel safe’
“Crime is on the increase because we’re in a pandemic,” Suk said. She said jobs, affordable housing, recreation programs for children and mental health services are desperately needed. “We need a response from the city that is different than what it is now,” she added.

94.1 KPFA: Oakland’s Budget Is Up for Vote Today
LISTEN ON KPFA WEBSITE HERE Fast forward to 1:50: Oakland’s biennial Budget is up for a big vote today. Cherri Murphy is a faith-rooted organizer with Faith Alliance For A Moral Economy, an initiative of the East Bay Alliance For A Moral Economy join us to discuss...

不只非裔 不少亞裔也是司法不公受害者/ Not Only African Americans, many Asians are also victims of judicial injustice
“In the Bay Area, several Asians died as a result of police violence, and Asians are also victims (police violence).” She emphasized that the interests of ethnic minorities are closely related, and all ethnic minorities should work together to oppose police violence.”

Oakland Artists Organize a Town Hall to Shape the City Budget
The Artists in Action virtual town hall on May 25 invites participants to bring their ideas and voices, and join a slate of artists and activists advocating for racial and economic justice.

Late, Confusing, & Police-Heavy: Schaaf Introduces Biennial Budget at City Council Meeting
“With the Mayor releasing her budget a week late and making broad claims about this being a “just recovery” budget it feels like she’s using the Budget Bureau’s inability to roll out the tool properly to cover for her pro-police budget,” said liz suk.

Maintain police spending or invest in alternatives: What do Oaklanders really want?
“Libby Schaaf has, for the last 7 years as mayor, used fear to continue to tell a story that the people want more policing when, in fact, the community is fearful of the police,” said Suk. “We’ve heard from the community, and her own survey shows that the priorities of the people of Oakland are investing in programs that address the root causes of poverty and violence, affordable and stable housing, and crime and violence prevention programs.”

The Mercury News: Oakland mayor’s proposed budget increases police spending
Allocates more for overtime By ANNIE SCIACCA OAKLAND — Mayor Libby Schaaf’s newly released budget proposal would increase police spending from the general purposes fund over the next two years, despite the Oakland City Council last year stating its goal to cut...

With The Late Release of Mayor’s Confusing Series of Web pages dubbed a “Budget”, the People of Oakland Demand: Prioritize Our Communities
Oakland, CA-The people of Oakland deserve clean streets, affordable housing, critical city services, and good jobs. From the flatlands to the hills, it is clear that in order to build a city where everyone can prosper, our city leaders must invest in the physical,...

94.1 KPFA: On the ground with protesters outside Oakland Mayor Schaaf’s home
Listen on 94.1 KPFA website 1:08 – BREAKING NEWS: Residents are rallying outside Mayor Libby Schaaf’s home to protest her illegal delay of the 2021-2023 budget. liz suk (@liz_suk) is interim executive director for Oakland Rising, which mobilizes and educates...

94.1 KPFA: The Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce recommendations go before the Public Safety Committee
LISTEN ON KPFA WEBSITE HERE Fast forward to 1:48: Oakland - The Reimagining Public Safety Taskforce recommendations go before the Public Safety Committee James Burch is the Policy Director of the Anti-Police Terror Project, and President of the National Lawyers...

OAKLANDVOICES.US: Oakland organizations working toward solidarity between Black and Asian communities
By Brandy Collins Posted April 2, 2021 7:13 pm It’s a difficult time to prioritize emotions. Days after people took to the streets in protest for #StopAsianHate responding to the mass shooting of eight people in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian...

Coalition of Progressive Labor & Community Groups Calls On The City of Oakland to “Reinvest in Recovery—Show Us the Receipts”
(Oakland, California) — In anticipation of the City Council accepting federal relief funds on March 29, a coalition of Community and Labor groups representing city workers, homeless advocates and residents called on City Leaders, including the Mayor and City Council,...

‘From Oakland to Atlanta,’ community members send messages of solidarity, resistance, and healing
By Momo Chang and Amir Aziz This article is cross-published with Oaklandside. One week after eight people were killed by a mass shooting suspect in Atlanta, including six Asian American women, community members from Oakland and beyond gathered at...

Oakland vigil honors Asian-American women killed in Atlanta shooting
OAKLAND, Calif. - In Oakland's Madison Park on Tuesday evening, crowds gathered for a vigil to mark one week since the shooting deaths of eight people in Atlanta, six of them women of Asian descent. The women who were murdered in Atlanta were of Korean...

94.1 KPFA: Ending Anti-Asian Violence
We check in with The Black Alliance for Peace to discuss US foreign policy in Haiti, Africa and South America. Later we speak with liz suk of Oakland Rising about ending anti-Asian violence. Guests: Ajamu Baraka with The Black Alliance for Peace and Elizabeth Suk -...

People rally in San Francisco’s Chinatown to ‘Stop Asian Hate’
by: Philippe Djegal Posted: Mar 20, 2021 / 12:49 PM SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON) – San Francisco’s Chinatown hosted the latest rally against hate crimes targeting the Asian Community. City and state leaders joined hundreds of others demanding an end to the...

OAKLAND NEWS NOW: Liz Suk Executive Director of Oakland Rising Interview On Attacks On Asians In Atlanta, And USA
Zennie Abraham March 20, 2021 Watch the vlog Liz Suk Executive Director of Oakland Rising Interview On Attacks On Asians In Atlanta, And USA. https://youtu.be/xQOi17yTJqA Liz Suk speaks about the devastating attacks in Atlanta. liz has been organizing in and...

THE GUARDIAN: Police patrols have increased in Asian areas. Not everyone is feeling safer
The increased presence has provided relief for some, while others argue it’s a temporary and ineffective solution to a crisis San Francisco police patrol the Chinatown neighborhood on 18 March. Photograph: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Vivian Ho in San...

Oakland launches civilian crisis response team to handle nonviolent mental health calls
"65% of the people say yes. We've been talking about reimagining public safety for a while now...it really goes to show that people really want to know what that looks like."- liz suk, Interim Executive Director of Oakland Rising OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The City of...

94.1 KPFA: Oakland moves a step closer to public safety reforms and defunding OPD
Click here to listen to the recording. Forward to minute 0:34. 0:34 – Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force meets for final time before sending recommendations to the City Council, advocates want transformative change James Burch is the Policy Director...

The Defund Oakland Police Coalition Celebrates 2nd Major Victory of the Week
In Response to Extensive Organizing, Oakland’s Task Force To Reimagine Public Safety Issued Key Recommendations to Defund OPD & Hold The City Accountable Contact: Cat Brooks (510) 506-2341, [email protected] (Oakland, CA)—As a result of...

KPIX5: UPDATE: Suspect Arrested In Oakland Robbery, Assault That Left 75-Year-Old Asian Man Brain Dead
By Katie Nielsen March 9, 2021 at 11:35 pm OAKLAND (KPIX 5) — Police in Oakland on Tuesday night announced an arrest in an assault and robbery that critically injured a 75-year-old Asian man, according to authorities. An official in Oakland’s Chinatown community...

New Report from the Anti Police-Terror Project: 1% of Calls to the Oakland Police Department take up 57% of Police Time
And non violent crime made up 96% of all service calls to the OPD--Data based on 442,812 calls made to OPD in 2019 Oakland--The Anti Police Terror-Project today released a new report conducted by AH Datalytics to analyze how the Oakland Police Department spends its...

Moving from Imagining to Action: Progressive Organizations, Elected Officials, and Labor Come Together To Bring 24/7 Mental Health Support Services To Oakland
(Oakland) - Thursday, Feb 25, Oakland--A coalition of Oakland progressive community organizations, labor groups, and elected officials are united in a demand to bring the Mobile Assistance Community Responders Of Oakland (MACRO) program in-house as an official city...

OAKLAND NEWS NOW: The Defund Oakland Police Coalition Report On Reimagining Public Safety In Oakland
Oakland – Today the Defund Oakland Police Coalition released a comprehensive report in response to the draft recommendations issued by Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Task Force (RPSTF). At a press event today experts involved with the recommendation...

NEW REPORT: The Defund Oakland Police Coalition Report on Reimagining Public Safety In Oakland
Contact: Cat Brooks (510) 506-2341, [email protected] (Oakland, CA)—Wednesday, February 24--Today the Defund Oakland Police Coalition released a comprehensive report in response to the draft recommendations issued by Oakland’s Reimagining Public...

The Defund Police Coalition Responds to Reimagining Public Safety Task Force Draft Recommendations Released Yesterday
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OAKLAND IS READY TO REIMAGINE PUBLIC SAFETY THE DEFUND POLICE COALITION RESPONDS TO REIMAGINING PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS RELEASED LAST WEEK (Oakland, CA)—On Friday, February 12th, Oakland’s Reimagining Public Safety Task...

WORLDJOURNAL.COM: Divestment of the Urumqi Police Budget Coalition to reshape the public security draft
Reported by reporter Chen Chengwei/ Wu Lun 2021-02-25 02:14 Brooks, the co-founder of the Anti-Police Terrorism Project, said that he hopes to truly bring security and development opportunities to the house. (Screenshot of video press conference) (Translated...

Asian American Organizations Across the Bay Area Join Forces to Demand Action Against Violence
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS STATEMENT February 9, 2021 CONTACT Yamuna Hopwood, Communications Manager; 415-274-6760 x319 [email protected] (English) Jin Xia Niu, Chinese Language Media Specialist; 415-274-6760 x313 [email protected]...

KPIX5: Oakland City Council Votes For Immediate Pay Raise For Workers At Large Grocery Stores
OAKLAND (BCN/CBS SF) — Oakland city councilmembers voted unanimously Tuesday to force large grocery stores to raise some workers’ pay by $5 per hour. The ordinance was passed as an emergency ordinance, so it takes effect immediately. It covers stores over 15,000...

Community Groups and Labor Organizations Decry the City Administrator’s Undemocratic Usurping of Legislative Powers During the Oakland Budgeting Process
Oakland- Community and labor groups today accused the City Administrator of majorly overstepping his executive powers by making budgetary decisions without the input of the City Council or the public. At the January 25th Finance Committee meeting, City...

The Mercury News: “Coronavirus: East Bay group to launch $10 million fund to fight wealth gap, pandemic closures”
The REAL People’s Fund plans to distribute its first $3 million this spring to support entrepreneurs of color, among others. By LAURENCE DU SAULT | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group | PUBLISHED: December 18, 2020 at 9:15 a.m. | UPDATED: December 21,...
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