On Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 6:00pm PST the streets of West Oakland will host a candlelight vigil held in front of 526 Henry Street, Oakland, CA in memory of Elder Berresford “Berry” Bingham; a beloved father of three children and known throughout the neighborhood as the “Community Dad.”  Bingham was the Political Director for SEIU 1021 and a 20 year retired veteran of the United States Navy.

Joining the Bingham Family as Candlelight Vigil speakers will be SEIU’s 1021 Director – Bill Steck and SEIU’s 1021 Field Director - Fran Jefferson.  There will also be a select group of clergymen from the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) and community activists who are also scheduled to address the crowded street of supporters.

Elder Berry Bingham was found one week ago on the second story of his three story townhome in West Oakland by Oakland Police Officers who were called to the scene after two coworkers, Jet Chapman and Kimberly Townsend, were requested by one of Bingham’s children to check on him.  Berry Bingham is Oakland’s 12th homicide of the year.

During the Vigil, Family Spokesperson, Dion Evans will be clearing up some inconsistencies purported by media outlet KTVU – who aired footage quoting Bingham’s Co-Workers (Chapman and Townsend) in a context that led viewers to believe Mr. Bingham “had been shot” and that they were eyewitnesses to his murder as they entered through an “ajar door” at the front of the home.

Cross-posted from the Facebook page