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UID:Indybay-18874220
SEQUENCE:19046162
CREATED:20250310T213000Z
DESCRIPTION:Justice for James \n\nHouseless Lifelong resident of Vallejo Murdered by a 
 Sweep- Community Demands Justice at Emergency Press Conference, Speakout 
 and Prayer Ceremony   \n\nWhat: Emergency Press Conference/Prayer Ceremony 
 and Speak-Out by Vallejo Homeless Union and POOR Magazine\nWhen: 5pm 
 Tuesday, March 11th  \nWhere: Vallejo City Hall \n\nJames Edward Oakley, a 
 58 year old houseless, life-long resident of Vallejo was crushed to death 
 by a bulldozer while a “sweep” was being conducted in an empty lot. 
 Houseless and formerly houseless organizers from The Vallejo Homeless Union 
 and POOR Magazine are demanding answers and justice for James. \n\n“They 
 knew James was there when they ran that backhoe through that lot,” said 
 Shawn O’Malley, longtime friend of James and a currently houseless 
 organizer with Vallejo Homeless Union. He continued, “First they kill 
 him, then they try to kill his reputation.” \n\nShawn went on to explain 
 that people are trying to portray James as a “criminal” to make it seem 
 like his life didn't matter, which is more anti-poor, anti-Black violence 
 always perpetrated against poor and houseless residents.\n\n“Sweeps are 
 literally killing houseless people from Shannon Marie Bigley in California 
 to Cornelius Taylor in Georgia, and now James Edward Oakley, all run over 
 by bulldozers in “Sweeps” of their outdoor shelters. As poor, 
 houseless, indigenous people we have our own healing, practical solutions 
 to homelessness, they do not include spending millions of tax dollars 
 sweeping humans like we are trash,” said Tiny gray-garcia, formerly 
 houseless, incarcerated povertyskola and co-founder of POOR Magazine 
 Homefulness. \n\nFollowing the Grants Pass Vs. Johnson Supreme Court Ruling 
 that deemed houseless residents of the US no longer protected by the 8th 
 amendment of the constitution, state and city legislators, police and 
 sheriffs enhanced their already violent "sweeps" policy against houseless 
 people by directing state agencies to dismantle homeless encampments on 
 state land.  Hundreds of houseless elders and disabled adults' lives have 
 become gravely endangered and have died in increasing numbers due to this 
 state sponsored violence over the last several months that is threatening 
 to get worse under the new, nation administration.\n\n“200 years ago, 
 before colonization there wasn’t even a concept of homelessness,” said 
 Talking chief/spokesperson of the confederated villages of Lisjan/Ohlone 
 and co-founder of the Sogorea Te Land Trust and Family Elders Council 
 member of Homefulness, a homeless peoples' solution to homelessness which 
 just welcomed their 23rd houseless family into rent-free forever 
 housing.\n\n“He was a gentle giant kind of guy, if I needed a jump or 
 something he’d be right there, many times actually, you could always 
 count on him,” Shawn spoke through tears about his friend James. \n\nThe 
 press conference and prayer ceremony will feature houseless residents of 
 Vallejo and housed advocates and houseless/formerly houseless members of 
 Homefulness and POOR Magazine/Mixed Kollective and Where Do We Go. \n\nFor 
 updates follow: \n@vallejo.homeless.union 
 \n@poormagazine\n@mixedkollective\n 
 https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/03/10/18874220.php
SUMMARY:Justice for James - Emergency Prayer Ceremony, Press Conference and Speak Out
LOCATION:Vallejo City Hall
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2025/03/10/18874220.php
DTSTART:20250312T000000Z
DTEND:20250312T000000Z
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