Press

Letter to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Registrar of Voters Regarding the Recall

Letter to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Registrar of Voters Regarding the Recall

We represent a group of organizations in Alameda County and broadly in California, all actively engaged in voter education and outreach. We are concerned about the current confusion surrounding the process for recall of a County elected official. We hope that the Board will act decisively to ensure that the Alameda County community has clear information about the process and timing for any potential recall.

read more
SLUDGE.COM: Oakland Community Groups Call to Fund ‘Democracy Dollars’ Program

SLUDGE.COM: Oakland Community Groups Call to Fund ‘Democracy Dollars’ Program

“We know that we’re in a city up against some major issues like housing and homelessness. The streets and infrastructure in the city haven’t been taken care of by previous administrations. In order to have those in place, we need elected officials in office who are really willing to listen to the community, and democracy dollars was going to be the program that would help us.”

read more
Social Justice coalition commends DA Price for progress on the People’s 100-day Agenda

Social Justice coalition commends DA Price for progress on the People’s 100-day Agenda

“This is the boldest policy in the country that seeks to end excessive punishment and incarceration. Research has shown time and again that prolonged incarceration does not improve public safety, and actually increases recidivism. This policy seeks to end racist sentencing enhancements that have been applied almost exclusively to Black and Brown people” ” said Yoel Haile, Director of the Criminal Justice Program at the ACLU of Northern California.

read more
Social Justice coalition commends DA Price for progress on the People’s 100-day Agenda

Attacks on DA Price unfounded, attempts by police and media to engage in a disinformation campaign is action against the people’s referendum on status quo 

As communities most impacted by violence and incarceration, we deeply feel the pain of losing loved ones and extend our deepest sympathies to the families of these recent tragedies. All stakeholders should be working hard to provide the victim’s families with the services and support they need and work to prevent tragedies like these from happening again to other families.

read more
KTVU.COM: 4th person to die at Santa Rita Jail in 6 weeks

KTVU.COM: 4th person to die at Santa Rita Jail in 6 weeks

“We are heartbroken and enraged to hear of yet another death related to Santa Rita Jail, the deadliest place in Alameda County,” the groups said in a statement. “For years, advocates have called out the level of abuse, neglect, death, and cruel punishment inside Santa Rita Jail. We have stood alongside families who have lost loved ones at the hands of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and called for transparency, diversion, and accountability — yet these calls have been met with silence.”

read more
Civil Rights Groups Applaud Alameda County District Attorney’s Directive to Limit Use of Sentence Enhancements

Civil Rights Groups Applaud Alameda County District Attorney’s Directive to Limit Use of Sentence Enhancements

“Sentence enhancements shift local & state funds away from desperately needed community services and put significant financial burdens on taxpayers and families statewide—each additional year in prison costs over $106,131 per person. The Alameda County District Attorney’s guidance will save the county money and allow for reinvestments in community resources, housing, education, healthcare, and more.”

read more
Press Release: Statement Condemns Attacks on Local Leaders

Press Release: Statement Condemns Attacks on Local Leaders

An alliance of community, faith, housing, labor and Progressive Black leaders issued a statement supporting Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s decision to part ways with embattled Police Chief Leronne Armstrong.  The statement cited a need to move  past the “long shadow of Federal Oversight, scandal and cover up” that has plagued the Oakland Police Department “into an era of accountability and transparency.”

read more
Criminal Justice Advocates commend DA Price for keeping campaign promises, signal more needs to be done

Criminal Justice Advocates commend DA Price for keeping campaign promises, signal more needs to be done

Oakland, CA – District Attorney Pamela Price’s administration announced the creation of the Public Accountability Unit, and that they would reopen cases of eight officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths for further review to determine whether charges should be filed or not. These include the murders of Cody Chavez in 2022, Mario Gonzalez in 2021, Agustin Gonsalez in 2018 and Andrew Moppin-Buckskin in 2007. 

read more
OAKLAND VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE MEASURE W

OAKLAND VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE MEASURE W

Voters overwhelmingly approved Measure W in Oakland today, signaling a desire for a more participatory, responsive, and accountable local democracy. With anti-democratic forces on the march around the nation, Oakland is pushing back. Measure W creates a Democracy Dollars program to revolutionize campaign financing for local elections. It will enable all eligible Oaklanders to receive four $25 vouchers to support local political candidates of their choice, making every household a potential donor household and bringing power back to the people.

read more
An Oakland Ballot Initiative That Could Inspire The Nation

An Oakland Ballot Initiative That Could Inspire The Nation

“Measure W is a way that local leaders and local organizations – like CA Common Cause and Oakland Rising – can begin to show people that leadership begins at the grassroots level. We are going to build a better democracy in our city and we’re going to build from there.”

read more

Oakland Measure W: The Fair Elections Act

A recent survey of potential voters found that many Oakland residents don’t donate to local campaigns because they simply can’t afford it. And in 2014 and 2016, 93% of election contributions came from less than 1% of the city’s population. That’s according to the equity organization Oakland Rising, which is one of the supporters of Measure W.

read more
SLUDGE: Oakland Voters to Decide on Fair Elections Measure

SLUDGE: Oakland Voters to Decide on Fair Elections Measure

“What we’re looking forward to with Democracy Dollars is that candidates will see that the power actually lies in the majority of Oakland who live in the flatlands, working-class, poor communities of color, immigrant, impacted by the criminal justice system,” suk said. “That if they engage those people, we could build a city that is equitable and build an Oakland for all.”

read more
BOLTSMAG.ORG: In California Cities, a New Frontier for Public Financing of Elections

BOLTSMAG.ORG: In California Cities, a New Frontier for Public Financing of Elections

On Monday night, the Oakland City Council unanimously voted to place a democracy vouchers referendum on the city’s November ballot, with all six council members present voting aye. If Oakland voters approve the measure, a new Democracy Dollars program would provide four $25 vouchers for every Oakland voter to donate to eligible city and school board candidates starting in 2024. The referendum on the November ballot also includes other provisions meant to improve campaign finance in the city, including lower campaign contribution limits and new donor disclosure requirements 

read more
Bold Ballot Measure to Reform Oakland Elections Qualifies for November Ballot

Bold Ballot Measure to Reform Oakland Elections Qualifies for November Ballot

“Oaklanders deserve a local government where our representatives represent all of us — where candidates and elected officials can focus on what our communities need, not what big-money donors and special interests want. If we want to see change on issues like affordable housing, community safety, and quality schools, we need more transparency about the outside groups that are spending millions to influence our elections and we need a more responsive city government,” says liz suk, Executive Director, Oakland Rising.

read more
Supporting Democracy Dollars Is a Powerful Way Funders Can Protect Local Elections

Supporting Democracy Dollars Is a Powerful Way Funders Can Protect Local Elections

So what can be done to reduce the influence of big money and shift power back to the people? The Fair Elections Oakland coalition, composed of grassroots power-building organizations and long-time democracy reform experts, feels it has found an answer in “Democracy Dollars.”….a model of public financing of elections that has been piloted in Seattle since 2017.

read more
94.1 KPFA UpFront: OUSD School Closures

94.1 KPFA UpFront: OUSD School Closures

Cat Brooks is joined by City Councilmember Carroll Fife, Pecolia Manigo , co-director of Bay Area Parent Leadership Action Network and member of the Reparations for Black Students Coalition, Maurice “André” San-Chez, teacher and hunger striker, and Oakland Rising’s Executive Director, liz suk.

read more
Letter to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Registrar of Voters Regarding the Recall

Letter to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors and Registrar of Voters Regarding the Recall

We represent a group of organizations in Alameda County and broadly in California, all actively engaged in voter education and outreach. We are concerned about the current confusion surrounding the process for recall of a County elected official. We hope that the Board will act decisively to ensure that the Alameda County community has clear information about the process and timing for any potential recall.

read more
SLUDGE.COM: Oakland Community Groups Call to Fund ‘Democracy Dollars’ Program

SLUDGE.COM: Oakland Community Groups Call to Fund ‘Democracy Dollars’ Program

“We know that we’re in a city up against some major issues like housing and homelessness. The streets and infrastructure in the city haven’t been taken care of by previous administrations. In order to have those in place, we need elected officials in office who are really willing to listen to the community, and democracy dollars was going to be the program that would help us.”

read more
Social Justice coalition commends DA Price for progress on the People’s 100-day Agenda

Social Justice coalition commends DA Price for progress on the People’s 100-day Agenda

“This is the boldest policy in the country that seeks to end excessive punishment and incarceration. Research has shown time and again that prolonged incarceration does not improve public safety, and actually increases recidivism. This policy seeks to end racist sentencing enhancements that have been applied almost exclusively to Black and Brown people” ” said Yoel Haile, Director of the Criminal Justice Program at the ACLU of Northern California.

read more
Social Justice coalition commends DA Price for progress on the People’s 100-day Agenda

Attacks on DA Price unfounded, attempts by police and media to engage in a disinformation campaign is action against the people’s referendum on status quo 

As communities most impacted by violence and incarceration, we deeply feel the pain of losing loved ones and extend our deepest sympathies to the families of these recent tragedies. All stakeholders should be working hard to provide the victim’s families with the services and support they need and work to prevent tragedies like these from happening again to other families.

read more
KTVU.COM: 4th person to die at Santa Rita Jail in 6 weeks

KTVU.COM: 4th person to die at Santa Rita Jail in 6 weeks

“We are heartbroken and enraged to hear of yet another death related to Santa Rita Jail, the deadliest place in Alameda County,” the groups said in a statement. “For years, advocates have called out the level of abuse, neglect, death, and cruel punishment inside Santa Rita Jail. We have stood alongside families who have lost loved ones at the hands of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and called for transparency, diversion, and accountability — yet these calls have been met with silence.”

read more
Civil Rights Groups Applaud Alameda County District Attorney’s Directive to Limit Use of Sentence Enhancements

Civil Rights Groups Applaud Alameda County District Attorney’s Directive to Limit Use of Sentence Enhancements

“Sentence enhancements shift local & state funds away from desperately needed community services and put significant financial burdens on taxpayers and families statewide—each additional year in prison costs over $106,131 per person. The Alameda County District Attorney’s guidance will save the county money and allow for reinvestments in community resources, housing, education, healthcare, and more.”

read more
Press Release: Statement Condemns Attacks on Local Leaders

Press Release: Statement Condemns Attacks on Local Leaders

An alliance of community, faith, housing, labor and Progressive Black leaders issued a statement supporting Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s decision to part ways with embattled Police Chief Leronne Armstrong.  The statement cited a need to move  past the “long shadow of Federal Oversight, scandal and cover up” that has plagued the Oakland Police Department “into an era of accountability and transparency.”

read more
Criminal Justice Advocates commend DA Price for keeping campaign promises, signal more needs to be done

Criminal Justice Advocates commend DA Price for keeping campaign promises, signal more needs to be done

Oakland, CA – District Attorney Pamela Price’s administration announced the creation of the Public Accountability Unit, and that they would reopen cases of eight officer-involved shootings and in-custody deaths for further review to determine whether charges should be filed or not. These include the murders of Cody Chavez in 2022, Mario Gonzalez in 2021, Agustin Gonsalez in 2018 and Andrew Moppin-Buckskin in 2007. 

read more
OAKLAND VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE MEASURE W

OAKLAND VOTERS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE MEASURE W

Voters overwhelmingly approved Measure W in Oakland today, signaling a desire for a more participatory, responsive, and accountable local democracy. With anti-democratic forces on the march around the nation, Oakland is pushing back. Measure W creates a Democracy Dollars program to revolutionize campaign financing for local elections. It will enable all eligible Oaklanders to receive four $25 vouchers to support local political candidates of their choice, making every household a potential donor household and bringing power back to the people.

read more
An Oakland Ballot Initiative That Could Inspire The Nation

An Oakland Ballot Initiative That Could Inspire The Nation

“Measure W is a way that local leaders and local organizations – like CA Common Cause and Oakland Rising – can begin to show people that leadership begins at the grassroots level. We are going to build a better democracy in our city and we’re going to build from there.”

read more

Oakland Measure W: The Fair Elections Act

A recent survey of potential voters found that many Oakland residents don’t donate to local campaigns because they simply can’t afford it. And in 2014 and 2016, 93% of election contributions came from less than 1% of the city’s population. That’s according to the equity organization Oakland Rising, which is one of the supporters of Measure W.

read more
SLUDGE: Oakland Voters to Decide on Fair Elections Measure

SLUDGE: Oakland Voters to Decide on Fair Elections Measure

“What we’re looking forward to with Democracy Dollars is that candidates will see that the power actually lies in the majority of Oakland who live in the flatlands, working-class, poor communities of color, immigrant, impacted by the criminal justice system,” suk said. “That if they engage those people, we could build a city that is equitable and build an Oakland for all.”

read more
BOLTSMAG.ORG: In California Cities, a New Frontier for Public Financing of Elections

BOLTSMAG.ORG: In California Cities, a New Frontier for Public Financing of Elections

On Monday night, the Oakland City Council unanimously voted to place a democracy vouchers referendum on the city’s November ballot, with all six council members present voting aye. If Oakland voters approve the measure, a new Democracy Dollars program would provide four $25 vouchers for every Oakland voter to donate to eligible city and school board candidates starting in 2024. The referendum on the November ballot also includes other provisions meant to improve campaign finance in the city, including lower campaign contribution limits and new donor disclosure requirements 

read more
Bold Ballot Measure to Reform Oakland Elections Qualifies for November Ballot

Bold Ballot Measure to Reform Oakland Elections Qualifies for November Ballot

“Oaklanders deserve a local government where our representatives represent all of us — where candidates and elected officials can focus on what our communities need, not what big-money donors and special interests want. If we want to see change on issues like affordable housing, community safety, and quality schools, we need more transparency about the outside groups that are spending millions to influence our elections and we need a more responsive city government,” says liz suk, Executive Director, Oakland Rising.

read more
Supporting Democracy Dollars Is a Powerful Way Funders Can Protect Local Elections

Supporting Democracy Dollars Is a Powerful Way Funders Can Protect Local Elections

So what can be done to reduce the influence of big money and shift power back to the people? The Fair Elections Oakland coalition, composed of grassroots power-building organizations and long-time democracy reform experts, feels it has found an answer in “Democracy Dollars.”….a model of public financing of elections that has been piloted in Seattle since 2017.

read more
94.1 KPFA UpFront: OUSD School Closures

94.1 KPFA UpFront: OUSD School Closures

Cat Brooks is joined by City Councilmember Carroll Fife, Pecolia Manigo , co-director of Bay Area Parent Leadership Action Network and member of the Reparations for Black Students Coalition, Maurice “André” San-Chez, teacher and hunger striker, and Oakland Rising’s Executive Director, liz suk.

read more

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