Religion

Mourners gather to commemorate victims of Oikos University shooting

Over 800 people gathered Tuesday night at Allen Temple Baptist Church in East Oakland to commemorate the seven killed in Monday’s shooting at Oikos University. The diversity of the victims, who included immigrants from Korea, Nigeria and Nepal, was mirrored in the crowd, which represented all facets of the community. During the two-hour vigil several clergy members from different denominations and religions offered support and prayers for the victims, their family, and friends. They were joined by a number of…

Seven dead, three injured in Oikos University campus shooting

As of 2:45 pm on Monday, the Oakland Police Department has confirmed that a total of 10 people were injured, of whom 7 died, at a shooting on the Oikos University campus earlier this morning. The Oakland Police Department currently has one person in custody in connection to this incident, said OPD spokesperson Officer Johnna Watson. Police are referring to the man, whom Watson described as Asian and in his 40s, as a “person of interest” in the case. “We believe…

A church helps members transfer money from big banks to a minority-owned credit union

On Tuesday, members of the First African Methodist Episcopal Church in North Oakland participated in a bank “transfer day” in conjunction with Occupy the Dream, a campaign for economic justice inspired by the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The church asked people throughout the Oakland community to move at least $30 from a conventional banking institution to a minority-owned bank or credit union.

Occupy Oakland clergy and supporters protest beach umbrella citation

Following a confrontation with police last Thursday at Frank Ogawa Plaza after being denied a permit for a canopy, Occupy Oakland protesters and local clergy members who had organized the Interfaith Tent at the former Occupy camp site had called for an “umbrella action” during which they would confront City Administrator Deanna Santana—in song and dance—about recent events.

The West African Highlife Band leads Oakland in a Kwanzaa celebration

On Wednesday at lunchtime, Oakland’s downtown workforce poured out of their offices and into the City Center Plaza to grab a bite and take in the sounds of the holiday concert series. This week, the theme was Kwanzaa, the celebration of African heritage and culture that is held each year between December 26 and January 1.

In Oakland, a center works to protect Cambodian girls from sexual exploitation

CERI is a non-profit organization that provides mental health and social services to refugee and immigrant families, mostly Cambodians. All of the girls in its support group have parents who are Cambodian refugees, and they all live in high crime neighborhoods in the East Bay. Many of them know other girls—friends, former classmates—who have become involved in “the life,” a term for the underground world of prostitution.