The liberation of public parks closed for gentrification in Oakland

In early September 2014, the small public park across from the Greyhound station on San Pablo Avenue between 21st and 22nd Streets, a common hangout spot for Oakland locals, was fenced up and closed by the city. This happened just after major construction of a large multi-story residential building was completed on adjacent land recently sold by the Oakland Catholic Diocese. it was clear that the idea was to run off the poor people who made use of the park for the supposed aesthetic pleasure of the expected newcomers who would be living in the building. In December, another popular mini-park on San Pablo and 32nd Street was likewise fenced off without notice. In the early morning hours of December 20, however, both parks were liberated when the city fencing was cut down.