At 12:15 PM Tuesday, June 18 at 8915 International Blvd, Oakland, Faith in Action East Bay (FIAEB) community leaders will hold a press conference to urge Oakland city officials to maintain funding for crucial city illegal dumping clean-up programs and expand funding for crucial services which includes the Department of Violence Prevention and the successful Oakland Ceasefire gun violence prevention strategy.
FIAEB leaders will express opposition to freezing the vacant Environmental Enforcement Officer position in the Oakland Public Works Department and the elimination of the Bulky Block Parties program, which allows Oakland residents to drop off large trash items each month for free.
FIAEB leaders understand that illegal dumping disproportionately impacts Black and Brown neighborhoods. Our childrens’ mental, physical, and emotional health, as well as development and education are continuously being negatively impacted by Illegal dumping.
The leaders will also express support for Mayor Sheng Thao’s budget proposal for the Oakland Ceasefire strategy and the Department of Violence Prevention that reduces gun-related violence. Ceasefire is the proven community-originated strategy Oakland needs to continue to invest in. When we utilize the strategy correctly, it contributes to a reduction in gun violence, saves lives, and reduces mass incarceration.
FIAEB leaders will support the Mayor’s budget proposal regarding Ceasefire which includes adding case managers, a dedicated Violence Prevention Services supervisor, and a program analyst. These positions are intended to ensure the program’s efficacy through continual oversight and evidence-based response.
Grime breeds crime, and cutting these essential services will further exacerbate the quality of life of our Black and Brown communities.
The press conference will take place as Oakland city officials prepare to meet to approve the budget.