People
As Mayor Jean Quan fielded reporters’ questions on Friday about the clash between police and protesters earlier this week, she was suddenly drowned out by cheers coming from outside as documentarian and activist Michael Moore arrived to speak to a gathering crowd of hundreds on the steps of City Hall.
There used to be grass here, but it didn’t last long―not after the bodies started multiplying and the make-shift community started growing. Now the space is covered in mud and heaps of hay. And a runaway pancake that slid off of someone’s blue-plastic plate. And a stray sock, and a boardwalk of planks. And feet. Hundreds of feet. This used to be Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, but not any more. Welcome to Occupy Oakland.
One of the most diverse regions in the world, the Bay Area hosts a variety of community centers where newcomers who speak little English and know nothing of the local customs can attain information and meet others like themselves. Almost all of these groups serve immigrants from foreign countries, but one of the oldest such places was never meant to serve immigrants at all.
The Oakland Raiders Booster Club gathered Thursday for its first meeting since legendary owner Al Davis died. Some of the members discussed what they think the future holds for the team, and the city, now that Davis and his larger-than-life persona are not around any more.
With four days to opening, a cast juggling day jobs and family crises, and a budget with zero to spare, veteran West Oakland theatre director Ayodele “Wordslanger” Nzinga drove to her outdoor playhouse on a rainy afternoon and wondered if this, finally, was the production that wouldn’t make it.
Oakland Chief of Police Anthony Batts announced his resignation Tuesday afternoon. Batts was appointed to lead the Oakland police department in 2009 and came close to leaving early this year when he was a finalist for the San Jose police chief job. Mayor Jean Quan, City Administrator Deanna Santana and Batts have scheduled a press conference for 3 p.m. at at City Hall. Here is the letter released Tuesday by Oakland city officials: Dear Oakland Residents, It is with…
A Safe Place hosted its 10th annual Walk Against Domestic Violence and Teen Dating Violence at Lake Merritt on Saturday to kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In 2010, Alameda County reported over six thousand calls for domestic violence – more than two thousand of those calls involved a weapon.
In Oakland, the city attorney represents the city government, advising its departments on legal matters and ensuring that city officials are constitutionally sound in their practices. When former City Attorney John Russo left his position in June before completing his third term to become the city manager of Alameda, Barbara Parker became the woman for the job. Parker had worked in the city attorney’s office for 20 years, serving as chief assistant city attorney for 10. She is a graduate…
In more than 140 years of professional baseball, over 17,000 players have passed through the major leagues. Only two have been openly gay. Glenn Burke was the first. At an event Wednesday night, the late Burke was honored for his contributions to his sport and community.