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Agenda Item

2.1 20-0379 Subject: Local Health Emergency For Oakland's African-American (Black) Residents From: Councilmember Bas, President Kaplan And Councilmember Thao Recommendation: Adopt A Resolution Declaring A Local Health Emergency For Oakland's African-American (Black) Residents Due To The Spread Of COVID-19 Locally And Its Devastating And Disparate Impact On Oakland's African-American (Black) Residents Pursuant To Government Code Section 8630, The Oakland City Administrator's Proclamation Of Local Emergency On March 9, 2020, Ratified By The City Council On March 12, 2020, And The Emergency Health Orders Of The Alameda County Health Department And Governor Of The State Of California Related To COVID-19

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    Alvina Wong over 4 years ago

    Oakland needs a Black New Deal! I am an Oakland resident in District 6 and don’t believe the city is doing enough at the scale that it’s needed to protect our most vulnerable. I supporting this resolution that follows the lead of community groups and Black leaders like Cat Brooks of APTP and Candace Elder of East Oakland Collective.

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    Jessica Sexton over 4 years ago

    It's critical that our City Council and Mayor support this legislation to increase desperately needed testing, housing, and resources to Oakland's Black population in this critical time. We are NOT taking care of our people, and lives will be broken and lost as a result. Opening streets for recreation may feel good, but actual economic support for those proven to be disproportionately affected by COVID-19 is the real leadership we need from this administration. We need a Black New Deal NOW. As a District 1 resident, I deeply hope that Councilmember Kalb will not only pledge his support but also work to get the rest of the council on board.

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    Luz Hernandez over 4 years ago

    Oakland needs a Black New Deal! I am an Oakland resident and don’t believe the city is doing enough at the scale that it’s needed to protect our most vulnerable. Do better! Our health is all interconnected. The city must follow the lead of community groups and Black leaders like Cat Brooks of APTP and Candace Elder of East Oakland Collective NOW!!

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    Kate Gilbert over 4 years ago

    I'm a North Oakland resident and I support this measure. The Black residents of our community are disproportionately bearing the burder of Covid-19. All the data show this. The majority of the infections and deaths are occuring where the majority of Black Oakland lives. The City is not adaquately responding. This is a public healh emergency. We need to immediately focus more testing, housing and resources to the Black Community to interrupt this pandemic.

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    Jenna Hackman over 4 years ago

    My name is Jenna and I am a resident in Loren Taylor's district. I support this item. Black Oaklanders are being impacted by COVID-19 at disproportionate rates. The majority of infections and deaths are occurring where the majority of Black Oakland lives. The City is NOT adequately responding. We need more testing, more housing, and more resources to interrupt this pandemnic.

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    Laura Redmond over 4 years ago

    I am an East Oakland resident in Loren Taylor's district. I strongly support this measure. As a white person, I strongly support my tax dollars being used to support our Black residents who are being disproportionately impacted by this pandemic.

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    liz suk over 4 years ago

    This is critical and so important for our Black residents in Oakland. This is a racial justice issue and equity needs to be instituted in this moment.

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    Dante Popple over 4 years ago

    This measure is vital. The corona vital has had a disproportionate impact by race and income. This inequity must be addressed by the city council to the extent that it can. Compliance with masks and social distancing rules is more likely if people feel like the Oakland city government listens to their concerns and gives them the resources they need to do so.

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    Mario Wagner over 4 years ago

    A NEW DEAL for Black folks would be the beginning of a New Era in Oakland. Having the ability to pull from resources designated specifically for individuals of color, would restore this city as a whole. “Black Oakland” put this city on the map and gave it the notoriety it’s well known for around the world today. WE are the culture because WE are Oakland and we have the ability to be different. The rich history of talented Black individuals from Oakland include people from all sectors like well known educators, Dr’s, lawyers, entertainers, musicians, athletes, politicians, and even revolutionaries that shaped this country. To continuously be skipped and or intentionally left out because of the lack of support we either can’t get or rally does not mean the elected officials do not have an obligation to ALL of the people they took an oath to serve. The request here is for Oaklander’s in particular, the individuals who represent the vast majority of us to be different and show support.

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    Reisa Jaffe over 4 years ago

    The 33.5/100 score on the Oakland Equity report tells us we have a serious problem under "normal" circumstances. Things do not get better under a pandemic. It is way past time for City Council to listen to what Black community leaders have long been asking for. I support my tax dollars being used towards the Black New Deal.

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    Camilo Zamora over 4 years ago

    As an organizer at an Oakland organization supporting Black and Latinx working-class people, this is an important resolution to lift up and make visible. We are seeing the impacts structural racism is having on poor Black & Brown people during this pandemic and it is greatly impacting the Black community, especially poor Black folks. We cannot allow that to continue. We must support Oakland's Black community and provide whatever is needed so that they know the harms of covid19, and have resources to heal if infected. Thank you for supporting this resolution.