450 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
USA
Judge William Alsup will hear oral arguments on the Post Office’s “Motion to Dismiss.” The Post Office claims that since they have delisted the Berkeley Post Office from their sales website that the City of Berkeley’s lawsuit against the sale is no longer moot and should be dismissed.
This is an important milestone in the two and a half year (so far) struggle to save the Berkeley Post Office and Post Offices around the country from being sold and the Post Office itself from privatization.
(Note: This event was postponed from its original date, on March 19th)
Via Save the Berkeley Post Office:
The U.S. Postal Service has moved to dismiss the suits filed by the City of Berkeley and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Both suits call out the Postal Service for violations of federal environmental and historic preservation laws in the Postal Service’s attempt to dispose of Berkeley’s historic 1914 downtown post office.
The USPS is arguing that both suits are moot as the USPS is not currently in contract to sell the building. But statements made by the Postal Service tell us the building is still for sale. And the Postal Service has done nothing to remedy their flaunting of environmental and historic preservation laws.
Judge William Alsup will hear the case. If Judge Alsup rules that the case should proceed, the attorneys defending our historic post office anticipate a full hearing on the merits will be held in the fall of this year.
No signs are permitted in the court room, but your presence will be noted and is helpful. The federal building in SF has airport-type security so bring identification (e.g. a drivers license). Judge Alsup starts court promptly. If you’re able to come, plan on arriving early, 7:30 a.m. or thereabouts.