top
East Bay
East Bay
Indybay
Indybay
Indybay
Regions
Indybay Regions North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area North Coast Central Valley North Bay East Bay South Bay San Francisco Peninsula Santa Cruz IMC - Independent Media Center for the Monterey Bay Area California United States International Americas Haiti Iraq Palestine Afghanistan
Topics
Newswire
Features
From the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature

People's Block Party Supplants Oakland Police Copaganda Effort, Saves Home

by Dave Id
Word got out that the Oakland police department had intentions to do neighborhood outreach in West Oakland on October 18. Knowing that OPD holds public relations events such as these to whitewash their earned reputation as racist, violent, and corrupt, the Anti Police-Terror Project set out to prevent OPD from exploiting local residents for a propagandistic photo op. As a bonus, a man's home was saved from being confiscated by the police.
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_001.jpg
[Impromptu blockade stops the theft of a mobile HOME by Oakland police.]


Oakland police planned their copaganda event for 3pm at 24th and Linden Streets, so the Anti Police-Terror Project (APTP) beat them to it by arriving a little after 1:30pm.

As tents, a children's play area, and a barbecue were being set up for a community block party, folks noticed a tow truck a few houses up the street preparing to make off with a parked recreational vehicle while a civilian Oakland police technician supervised.

Just as the tow truck began to drive away with a man's home, several people rushed in front of the truck, preventing it from leaving.

An ever growing number of police showed up, assuring those blocking the truck's path that the theft was justified because a citizen had filed a complaint and there were legal violations with the camper. The cops said it wasn't their decision. Unconvinced that taking someone's home was anything other than wrong, protesters refused to budge.

About an hour later, after plenty of back and forth with various police officers, it was agreed that the tow truck would release the RV and the owner would be afforded time to take care of legal requirements for a non-operational vehicle.

Cheers went up as the tow truck and the police left the scene. It was a completely unanticipated yet welcomed victory. It was a real achievement, making a big difference for the man who was about become homeless. Considering the massive gentrification and displacement happening in Oakland, however, the scope of the win was extremely limited.

It was simply bad luck on the cop's part that the APTP was present and decided on the spot to intervene. Similar theft of the property of poor people happens unimpeded every day in the city, often encouraged by gentrifying newcomers who are quick to call the police to file complaints about less fortunate long-time residents.

Neighborhood residents initially viewed the block party being set up with suspicion, openly wondering if it was the reason police were doing a towing sweep of the area. Once they saw APTP jump into action, risking arrest to save the man's home, people warmed up.

And once the police were gone, the block party proceeded cop-free until shortly before 6pm, feeding dozens, handing out fliers warning police not to use residents as props for photo ops, and gathering signatures for the effort to recall Mayor Libby Schaaf.

After the tow truck incident, and with APTP having claimed the intersection before police could get there to begin their community outreach, OPD didn't return that day.

The event was considered such a success that APTP is looking to host similar block parties on a monthly basis, possibly adding health care and other public services to the offerings.
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_003.jpg
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_004.jpg
§OPD Human Trafficking Since 1853
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_006.jpg
§End Gang Violence #DefundOPD
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_007.jpg
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_008.jpg
You can hear "Pork & Beans" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLBEZoagX6o. The Coup's "We Got the Guillotine" came on a few minutes later: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acT_PSAZ7BQ.
§No Photo Ops for Rapists
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_009.jpg
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_012.jpg
It was at that point that NWA's "Fuck that Police" was bumping from the sound system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-TTWgiYL4
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_015.jpg
For more details on the #ByeLibby recall effort, see https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/10/04/18791870.php.
§APTP says: OPD Is Guilty as Hell
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_016.jpg
§A beautiful Tuesday afternoon in West Oakland
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_017.jpg
§The free food kept flowing all afternoon
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_018.jpg
§Balloons for the kids
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_019.jpg
§Children's play area with crafts and art supplies
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_020.jpg
§Fun all around
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_021.jpg
§Handing out fliers to passersby
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_022.jpg
blockpartyflyer.pdf_600_.jpg
1) They celebrate violence.
2) They're corrupt and careless.
3) Our lives depend on it.
§One sign was left behind on a light pole
by Dave Id
sm_peoplesblockparty-oakland_20161018_024.jpg
Add Your Comments
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!

Donate

$80.00 donated
in the past month

Get Involved

If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.

Publish

Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.

IMC Network