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2019 January

Monthly Archives: January 2019

Hunger strike in Corcoran 3C against indefinite lockdown and group punishment

Since Jan. 9, 2019, an estimated 250 prisoners are on hunger strike within Corcoran State Prison’s 3C facility in response to an indefinite lockdown. They have asked that this info be made public and that their demands be heard. The hunger strike representatives have requested phone calls be made to both the warden and headquarters in Sacramento to amplify the demands. Put aside some time this Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 23-24, to make some calls!

Anti-imperialist dilemma: What if the US is ‘right’ about the election in DR Congo?

With regard to foreign conflict, Ajamu Baraka has said: “You have to ask yourself when has the U.S. intervened on the side of the people. And the answer is: Never.” That’s my own rule of thumb regarding U.S. “interventions” and no doubt that of most Bay View readers. However, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) poses a consequent dilemma: What if the U.S. is supporting the candidate, Martin Fayulu, who most likely won the Dec. 30, 2018, election in DRC?

Bayview-based toxic stress leader Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is California’s first surgeon general

The toxic health crisis, one of the most underreported and serious health conditions in the United States, affecting as many as 35 million children, is moving under a giant spotlight this week, with historic new leadership on the issue and ambitious new advocacy efforts. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s appointment today of toxic stress leader Dr. Nadine Burke Harris as the state’s first surgeon general is a ground-breaking step and an important validation of the need for greater awareness of toxic stress.

Leonard Peltier: How Native Elder Nathan Phillips defeated the MAGA punks with a song

I just saw the incident taking place in Washington, D.C., in which a demonstration between the white Make America Great Again (MAGA) representatives and a Native Elder singing a religious song took a horrendous turn. There were threats and insults by the young punk wearing the red MAGA hat while an Elder, who happens to be my long time AIM friend and comrade Nate Phillips, was singing a religious song. Now, I see the media and folks changing it around like it was the Native Elder’s fault. Let me explain to you what the song’s history is.

El Bethel Arms seeks affordable housing administrator

  El Bethel Arms - Administrator (Affordable Housing)  HumanGood is looking for an Administrator for El Bethel Arms, an affordable senior housing community located in San...

Mumia Abu-Jamal: Remembering Martin King

In the 20th century, few names, especially of Black people, ring louder than that of Martin Luther King. His life, his dedication to the civil rights movement and his martyrdom in April 1968 made him a global icon of social justice. Born in 1929, if he were not martyred, he would be enjoying his 90th year of life. But he was martyred and, too, he was considered an enemy of the state. Why?

Stop privatization of SF General Hospital pharmacy and other departments, workplace bullying and systemic...

The City and County of San Francisco is moving to privatize thousands of jobs through the EPIC program and the LEAN plan while outsourcing city jobs to non-union low paid workers. Part of this outsourcing drive is taking place at the pharmacy at San Francisco General Hospital, renamed Zuckerberg, where the Department of Public Health management and San Francisco Human Resource Director Micki Callahan are intent on more privatization and outsourcing for more profits.

Outraged Hunters Point residents demand Gavin Newsom fire Tetra Tech

Hunters Point residents suing Tetra Tech for the worst eco-fraud in US history demand that Gov. Newsom rescind the state’s contract with Tetra Tech for Butte County wildfire cleanup. This contract is an insult to residents who remain fearful for their very lives over the radiated Shipyard given the unusually high incidences of cancer, cancer deaths, respiratory diseases and other medical conditions among Hunters Point residents that scientists and doctors have indicated are caused by the Shipyard’s radiation and other toxic releases. A town hall meeting and a press conference are scheduled for MLK Day.

On MLK Jr. Day, SF city workers demand the firing of HR Director Micki...

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Wealth and Disparities in the Black Community – Justice 4 Mario Woods demands that Mayor Breed and the Board of Supervisors take real action and fire Department of Human Resources Director Micki Callahan due to her documented involvement in systemic racial discrimination of Black city workers. Leader of the group and SEIU 1021 steward Phelicia Jones said, “After this press conference, politicians of San Francisco will have breakfast in this hotel with the Labor Council and pay lip service to Martin Luther King Jr., as they do every year. Then they will walk away and do nothing for Black folks in San Francisco. When will justice for Black people actually matter to them?”

San Francisco Mayor London Breed’s ‘Opportunities for All’ initiative kicks off with career fair...

On Jan. 23, the Wednesday following Monday’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration, hundreds of youth ages 13-24 will attend and participate in a career and resource fair called “Advancing the Dream.” The event is part of Mayor London Breed’s Opportunities for All, a program to address economic inequality by ensuring that all young people can be a part of San Francisco’s thriving economy. The event includes a series of workshops for youth to participate in mock job interviews, work on their resumes and profiles for LinkedIn, and build their social networks.

First Step Act: US Senate passes bipartisan criminal justice bill

On Dec. 19, the United States Senate voted 87-12 in favor of watered-down legislation that will roll back a few of the most draconian provisions of the federal criminal justice system. The “First Step Act,” short for the “Formerly Incarcerated Reenter Society Transformed Safely Transitioning Every Person Act,” goes back to the House of Representatives, which passed a slightly stronger version last May by a vote of 360 to 59. When it comes to locking people up, the United States stands on top of the heap.

A celebration of the Justice for Oscar Grant protesters

Jan. 1, 2019, marks 10 years since the murder of Oscar Grant by BART police officer Johannes Mehserle. In the lead up to this grim anniversary, a number of articles, multimedia pieces, radio programs and television news segments have been produced to commemorate the occasion. Especially moving are those that give voice to Oscar’s family and friends. But it’s rare to see significant tribute paid to the fact that were it not for the vigor and relentlessness of protesters and activists, Oscar Grant would have received little to no justice.

Fanmi Lavalas statement: Crisis and resolution, plan for Haiti’s future

Haiti Action Committee is honored to circulate this statement from Fanmi Lavalas, the people’s party in Haiti. Fanmi Lavalas issued the statement in solidarity with the massive upsurge of protest against the corrupt regime of Haiti’s current president, Jovenel Moise. The statement comes in the wake of violent state repression, including the horrific massacre of over 60 people in Lasalin, a center of popular grassroots activism. This Dec. 16 was the 28th anniversary of the election of Jean-Bertrand Aristide as Haiti’s first democratically elected president. The date was marked in Haiti with continued mobilizations for democracy and an end to the brutal attacks on the population.

OUSD this Friday: A ‘Day Without Educators’

On Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, teachers and support staff from Oakland Technical High School will join together with educators from across Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) in a one-day work action. This work action will significantly impact the school day, and we expect that a large majority of educators at Oakland Tech will participate. This “Day Without Educators” will give a small preview of what an actual, open-ended strike would feel like.

Not for human consumption

The Washington Post last week wrote one of a series of articles about the federal shutdown that focused on the criminal justice system. The reporters included the obligatory interviews with prison guards talking about how overworked and understaffed they are, which is likely true. But the article was inflammatory – not because of the interviews with the guards, but because the Post reported that while the poor guards were suffering, the prisoners were eating meals fit for a king. The purpose of the articles was to outrage the public. How can these criminals eat like this while the hard-working guards are suffering? But it’s all nonsense.

Black genius built the pyramids, not slave labor

Black Genius built the pyramids, not slave labor. Black hands have built pyramids all over the world. In Afraka, Asia, Amerika and, apparently, even ancient Atlantis! I mention this because there are some very schizophrenic people out there who can’t make up their minds whether or not to try and steal the credit from Black people about who built the pyramids or to condemn Black people for using slave labor to build the pyramids.

Barbara Lee on Oscar Grant and First Step Act

Ten years ago, Oscar Grant was tragically and needlessly killed by an officer at the Fruitvale BART station. Oscar was a beloved member of our East Bay community. He was a loving father, a loyal friend and a kind neighbor. My heart is with his family, friends and loved ones who are missing him dearly today. Over the last decade, communities like mine have lost far too many Black men to police violence. Since Oscar’s passing, the list of young African American men killed by police officers has grown even longer.

It is in the spirit of our ancestors I move forward and keep fighting

As white fists swung at me and dirty cheap boots kicked me, Dr. Martin Luther King, Malcom X, Fred Hampton, Nat Turner, Gabriel Prosser and many other influential Black figures flashed across my mind. It was like a revelation or a spiritual awakening advising me that this racially motivated attack by white cowards, as Black cowards shielded witnesses from seeing the volley of punches thrown, is how agents of repression respond to resistance.