From Residents, Wood Street Commons
Editor’s note: Residents say it has been a tense week with heavy police presence at the Wood Street Commons community in Oakland, CA where the City is bulldozing a long-standing camp of the unhoused violently, without respect for residents’ rights, lives or property, including their RV’s and tiny homes. Residents made a peaceful request for information about what was coming and for inclusion in the process but were ignored by city officials, blocked from participating. After residents and advocates had begun to disperse on one of the days, and at a time when there was no public works supervisors present, several police officers and a bulldozer suddenly appeared. Violating basic safety protocols, nearly harming residents who were standing behind the fence, the bulldozer broke down the fence. Then backed up and sped off. The police sped off too. The next day the operation continued as normal. Wood Street Commons is a long-standing autonomous community that cares for one another in all of the ways the city fails to do. The community has built extensive ties with non-profits, dedicated advocates, housed neighbors and multimedia artists and creators, and has developed resources such as solar power, a shared kitchen, community spaces, music stages and a free store. The City’s eviction of Wood Street residents continues this week. (Please see video link below about this information.) The community says it needs people power! Come to the Wood Street Commons M-F from 7am to 7pm.
PRESS RELEASE:
Over the past two weeks, the Wood Street residents and volunteers have fallen victim to the egregious acts of state violence that have occurred under the watch of [city administrators] LaTonda Simmons, Amauri Collins-McMurray, Director G. Harrold Duffy, and police Sgt. Patrick Gonzales. The most basic human rights, that everyone should be afforded, are being trampled and demolished, much like all the homes and belongings of the residents. Even the residents’ pets have not been safe from the trauma caused by the eviction.
These acts of state violence result in state created danger; they are unlawful, unconstitutional, and the residents demand that the violence come to an immediate halt. Furthermore, the residents demand that the City of Oakland pursue legal action against the city employees that have committed crimes against the residents of the Wood Street Commons during the eviction process.
The residents’ property, freedom, and lives have been jeopardized on several occasions throughout the eviction and it must stop today.
The residents would also like to address some misinformation and false claims which have been circulating on the internet. The false accusations are the work of some individuals that seek to shift blame away from the rich and onto the poor for problems caused by the system, since poverty is an economic and public policy choice. One particular individual who has blatantly spread lies about some of the residents at Wood Street actually ran for Mayor and City Council, losing both elections. The residents of Wood Street would like to remind him that this is not how a candidate for political office should behave.
The residents would also like to take time to thank all the volunteers and supporters who’ve sacrificed so much of themselves while fighting for people that are all too often unheard. The residents feel deeply indebted to all the volunteers and supporters, due to all the selfless service displayed and should be an example of how we should all treat one another. However, it is a sad state of affairs when volunteers are having to cover the needs of the displaced residents because the government won’t step up and do their job.
Due to all of the violence and unlawful acts committed by city employees over the past two weeks, the residents have no other choice but to hold the parties in question legally responsible. If our peaceful protests, blood, sweat, and tears have not gotten the City of Oaklands attention, perhaps lady justice will.
Thank you all for your continued support, and as always — Vivá le Resistance!
See video from the Wood Street Commons:
