Alameda residents helped fellow Alamedan Fredrick Alexander clean graffiti off his two vehicles after someone spray painted “ALM” (All Lives Matter) on it. Alexander, a Black male, noticed the vandalism to his vehicles Sunday, June 28, on Otis Drive. After neighbors were notified, they helped clean the graffiti and offered their sorrow.
On May 19, the City Council approved a multi-pronged Commercial Streets Program to streamline the permit approval process for expanding dining and retail to parklets and sidewalks. Last Friday many Alameda businesses and restaurants began reopening.
Last week, thousands of people unified in protests across the world calling for change in police departments across the United States after George Floyd, a Black man, was murdered by Derek Chauvin, a White police officer, in Minneapolis on May 25. Witnesses recorded Chauvin kneeling directly on Floyd’s neck during his arrest for allegedly using a counterfeit $20 bill.
Above, Alameda residents held a rally outside Alameda Police Department Monday demanding justice for George Floyd, and people of color across the country who disproportionately suffer at the hands of law enforcement. Right, at the same time, commercial property and business owners raced to board up their windows ahead of anticipated civil unrest that targeted seven locations in Alameda the night of May 31. Due to a rapidly imposed curfew, little unrest occurred Monday night.
Island not immune from impacts of George Floyd’s death
The ramifications of George Floyd’s death last week in Minneapolis have been felt throughout the country including here in Alameda.
Floyd, 46, died on May 25, after Minneapolis police officer Derek Michael Chauvin held his knee on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes while trying to arrest him, according to video surveillance. An independent medical examination by renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden ruled Floyd’s death was caused by asphyxia, when the body is deprived of oxygen.
The City of Alameda is currently soliciting donations from the community to help those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
At its May 19 meeting, the City Council unanimously approved the “Alameda Strong” community relief fund. The fund, which will be financed solely by community donations, will provide grants to small businesses, nonprofits and renters financially affected by the shelter-in-place order due to the coronavirus.
I received the following notices related to the coronavirus pandemic this week.
‘From a friend’
Karen Green asked to share this piece with the community.
“I will be wearing a mask in public as an act of kindness and a demonstration of my humanity. It protects those with weakened immune systems, eases the burdens on our healthcare warriors and will move us quicker to the day that we can begin to emerge from our burrows.
On Monday, May 4, health authorities in the nine-county region that includes Alameda loosened restrictions on construction as well as some outdoor activities and businesses. They announced that the state of California was planning to allow some retailers to reopen with curbside pickup and physical distancing. The state was also allowing any manufacturing and supply chains for those businesses to open. These orders do not permit curbside pickup for all non-essential, brick-and-mortar businesses.
In early April, Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) launched its “Feed Alameda’s Frontline” campaign to support both Alameda restaurants and Alameda’s frontline staff who are responding to the impacts of COVID-19. When CASA approached Alameda firefighters to see if they would like to receive donated restaurant meals, they insisted on becoming donors instead.
Mindful of the loss of senior year celebrations this spring, a group of families and high school staff from across the district have planned “Alameda Senior Signing Day,” tomorrow, Friday, May 1.
Personalized yard signs will be delivered to every senior across the district this week. From 10 to 10:44 a.m., the Mayor, Superintendent, president of the Board of Education, Alameda’s four high school principals and other special guests will speak live on KJTZ (96.1 FM or www.encinalradio.com) to congratulate the Class of 2020.
