ACLU opposes gang injunction, Oakland Census participation lags, weekend events: Daily Brief, April 9

Susan Mernit Wed, 14 Apr at 4:13am
So far, only 57% of Oakland Census forms are in. Where's yours?

So far, only 57% of Oakland Census forms are in. Where's yours?

The struggle over the proposed North Oakland gang injunction continues. Yesterday the ACLU of Northern California, along with the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, filed papers opposing the injunction with the Alameda County Superior Court. Among their complaints, the advocacy groups note: "There is no way out of the injunction. The injunction does not include an opt-out provision for people who are misidentified or who have turned their lives around. If community members are wrongfully labeled as gang members, they would be bound indefinitely by the restrictions of the injunction."

Meanwhile, have you sent in your 2010 US Census form? As of today, only 57% of Oakland residents have done so. (See the Census participation map.) This is pretty important: The Census is used to apportion federal money, among other purposes. With our city and state budget crises, we can use all the financial help we can get.

May 1, Census workers will start knocking on your door -- But you cannot fill out your Census form online. It must be completed by hand and mailed in or submitted in person at a Census 2010 questionnaire assistance center. There are a few dozen assistance centers in and around Oakland. Find a Census assistance center near you. If you never received or can't find your Census form, you can get one there. And if you need help figuring out how to answer Census questions, here's where to call for help in several languages.Remember, this really matter for Oakland getting funding and planning.

Finally, what's happening this weekend? Here are a few upcoming events..

  • Friday: African stilt dancing. Watch two free performances showcasing over 50 local youths trained in the art of African stilt dancing by Prescott Circus Theatre and Zulu Connection. Noon at Frank Ogawa Plaza (near 14th and Clay), and 5pm at Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts (1428 Alice St.)
  • Saturday: Rummage Sale, benefitting Oakland Based Urban Gardens. 8am-2pm, 1923 9th St., Berkeley. Community Garden Planting: 10am, Charcoal Park, 2727 Fruitvale Ave.
  • Sunday: Ladies Rock Camp Showcase. All this weekend, women ages 19+ have been jamming and learning at the Ladies Rock Camp. At 3pm, participants hit the stage at the Oakland Metro Operahouse, 630 3rd St. Sliding scale admission, $5-$10.

Find more events on the Oakland Local calendar.

About Susan Mernit
Susan Mernit is the founder of Oakland Local. She is also a circuit rider for The Community Information Challenge, a program of The John S and James L Knight Foundation, and a consultant to non-profit and community organizations. Susan lives in North Oakland, near the Santa Fe school, with her partner, her housemate, a rescue dog named Cazzie, and a yard full of ants. She is an aspiring gardener, a long-time blogger & entrepreneur, and a recovering journalist who's found home in Oakland.