Lorenzo Hall awarded $300K for false imprisonment, arrest by Oakland City Council-- See the video
Article by Oriana Bolden.
Last updated at Tue, 22 Feb at 2:39pm.

Update, February 21, 2011: In a closed session this week, the Oakland City Council agreed to award Oakland resident Lorenzo Hall (known as Zoe tha Roasta) and his attorneys $300,000 in settlement for the Oakland Police planting a gun on him.

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Oakland gang injunctions hearing Feb. 3 denies prosecution's conflict of interest claims
Article by Eric K Arnold.
Last updated at Sat, 5 Feb at 8:01am.

The most recent court hearing on the controversial issue of Oakland gang injunctions has, for the time being, resulted in an apparent victory for the defense.

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Oakland gang injunction hearing fails to disqualify defense attorneys, judge to rule Feb. 3
Article by Eric K Arnold.
Last updated at Mon, 10 Jan at 1:35am.

A hearing regarding possible conflict of interest allegations in the ongoing Oakland gang injunctions saga has resulted in the judge issuing a non-ruling, until more evidence is presented.

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Mandela High students speak out for what's right (Community Voices)
Article by Debi Mason.
Last updated at Tue, 14 Dec at 7:46am.

On Friday, Mandela High School students and teachers came to together to give definition to the human rights issues of today that are continually affecting everyone in every neighborhood and community across the nation.

 

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Noting the Passing of Dr. Benjamin Hooks
Blog entry by Oakland Local edi....
Last updated at Fri, 16 Apr at 10:12pm.

We're saddened by the passing of Dr. Benjamin Hooks, who did so much to fight racism and create a more equal opportunity through his civil rights work.

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Forced labor allegations, Easter art, more: Daily Brief, April 1
Blog entry by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Fri, 2 Apr at 11:11am.

(UPDATE Apr. 2: Yes, this post was indeed a joke. Happy April Fool's Day, Oakland!)

Hello, Oakland. It's Thursday, the week's nearly done. Hang in there. Here's a quick roundup of what's going on in and around Oakland...

Climate activists allege city government forced them to caulk. As the lead photo in Ryan Van Lenning's article yesterday about the city's climate action plan indicates, some local climate activists have taken to waving unlicensed caulk guns in public. Claiming that this represents a threat to public safety, last night members of the city Public Ethics Commission detained 41 caulk gun-wielding activists. They were later released without charges -- but Oakland Local has learned that while detained, the Commission allegedly forced the activists to weatherize four floors of city hall. We're investigating and will follow up later.

And in the comments to our story today on a possible pigeon-serving restaurant for Jack London Square, reader JM raised the idea that since pigeons are considered a delicacy in some parts of the world, perhaps the city's environment and economy might improve by supporting a local pigeon export business. What's your take? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

In other local news...

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Homophobia, Paramount Theater don't mix! Oakland City Council meets tonight, more (Jan. 19 Daily Brief)
Blog entry by Susan Mernit.
Last updated at Tue, 19 Jan at 11:12am.

Sean Sullivan, who once ran for Oakland City Council, is one of the leaders of a movement to block the reappointment of Lorenzo Hoopes as a member of the Paramount Theater Board of Directors.

"I think it's outrageous that we would appoint anyone who calls for discrimination and works hard to see discrimination written into California's constitution representing all of Oakland on the Paramount board," said Sullivan, a West Oakland resident and a founding board member of Oakland's Rainbow Chamber of Commerce.

Hoopes was the leader of Oakland's "Yes on Prop 8" effort. He also was Oakland's largest donor and fundraiser to this discriminatory proposition. It is unfortunate that Hoopes' nomination is moving forward as the Prop 8 trial is happening across the bay in San Francisco.

Tonight: Tell City Council what you think! Sullivan is asking Oaklanders to attend the Jan 19 Oakland City Council to ask that Council only approve board members who don't discriminate against any of our citizens. (Sullivan's Facebook event listing says the meeting is 7 pm, but the City Council web site says 6 pm.)

To follow this issue, join Sullivan's Facebook group: The Paramount -- No Place for Homophobia.

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Community Views: Zombies, Rights, and Christmas
Article by Amy Gahran.
Last updated at Mon, 28 Dec at 8:55am.

Most people only encounter zombies while shooting at them or while being eaten. This holiday season the Oakland zombie community decided to to mend fences and build bridges with local humans by gathering in a popular shopping district to groan "Feliz Navidead!"

On the evening of Dec. 22, a small but vocal, energetic, and cheerful contingent of the local undead congregated at Jack London Square in Oakland to demonstrate for their rights -- and to wish passersby a happy holiday season.

The gathering represented much of the the diversity of the local zombie community. It was an all-ages, all-species, queer- and disability-friendly event.

Watch the video (note: light gore and profanity)...

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