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For Immediate Release

Contact: Daniel Robelo, East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, 650-465-2584, daniel@workingeastbay.org

 

Community leaders call for a halt on project-related approvals until A’s agree in writing to provide good jobs, affordable homes, and a cleaner environment. 

 

Oakland – On Saturday, October 5th, Oakland United ⁠— a longstanding coalition of community, labor, youth, and faith leaders ⁠— is holding a town hall in West Oakland to demand that the A’s negotiate a strong Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) that guarantees good jobs and affordable homes before any stadium project moves forward. 

 

Community concern about the A’s proposed stadium complex has been growing as the team heads into the playoffs. Without a strong, legally-binding CBA, many community members fear the project will only accelerate gentrification and displacement. 

 

WHAT: Town Hall to Demand a Strong CBA with Any New Stadium Proposal

WHO: Speakers from labor, faith and community ⁠organizations, including Cat Brooks, Executive Director of the Justice Teams Network and former mayoral candidate

WHEN: Saturday, October 5th at 10:30 am

WHERE: Taylor Memorial Church, 1188 – 12th St, Oakland, California 94607

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/events/374765803192449/

 

Pastor Anthony Jenkins of Taylor Memorial Church said: 

 

“As the Pastor of one of the oldest churches in West Oakland, I am intimately familiar with the deep social problems faced by our community. Before any stadium project is even considered, the A’s must sign a Community Benefits Agreement directly with our community to address our city’s biggest needs. We want the A’s to stay in Oakland. And we want existing residents to stay, and for our neighborhoods to stay affordable. We need this commitment in writing, not just lip service.”

 

Liana Molina, Campaign Specialist with the East Bay Alliance for a Sustainable Economy, said: 

 

“The A’s claim their project will benefit the community, but they haven’t negotiated anything concrete with the community or put anything in writing. This is public land, and if the A’s are truly rooted in Oakland, they must prove that they are rooted in our community. Promises aren’t enough.”

 

Alvina Wong, Campaign and Organizing Director with the Asian Pacific Environmental Network, said:

 

“Without concrete guarantees, this new ballpark threatens to uproot our communities ⁠— and it won’t just impact East and West Oakland. This development will have city-wide reverberations, including for families in Chinatown. We demand good jobs for local residents, significant affordable housing, a healthier environment, and investments in our youth and neighborhoods.” 

 

Oakland United is a coalition of Oakland residents, workers, faith leaders, youth, community organizations, and unions invested in the health and economy of Oakland. We believe that development on public land should serve the public good by creating affordable housing, good job opportunities for our residents, investments in community services, and healthy land use practices that address decades of environmental racism.

 

#RootedinCommunity  #OaklandUnited #PublicLandforPublicGood

 

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