Thank you to everyone who came out to Wood St encampment last week to provide support to residents during this violent displacement. Wood St encampment is home to an estimated 200 to 300 individuals, some who have lived here over a decade.
With little to no resources or support from the state, we need to keep showing up for our unhoused neighbors! Please show up again this Monday and Tuesday anytime between 6:30 am to 5 pm at 34th and Wood St in West Oakland.
This is the largest encampment in the Bay Area, and even though Libby Schaaf is on record saying Oakland does not have the beds for everyone living here, they’re going forward with the sweeps anyway. The encampment spans for blocks, and their plan is to do it in sections, with two week breaks in between each section. Keep reading below for more details on joining us!
What: Eviction support at Wood St encampment Where:34th St & Wood St, Oakland, CA 94608 When: Monday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 13 between 6:30am and 5pm Point person on site: Boots w/ Love and Justice in the Streets (will be in a canopy tent) Note: this encampment spans for blocks so this will be an ongoing effort with two week breaks between each section that is cleared
CHP (California Highway Patrol) has been rolling deep and two residents were even arrested for non-violent civil disobedience in resistance to this displacement. We were able to help bail them out and they were back at Wood Street the next day. Let’s make sure the state knows we’re watching!
Residents are mainly in need of witnesses. Be prepared for the heat (wear sunscreen, hydrate and wear a hat if you have one). We need folks to drop off ice, water and ready-to-eat food to share. Be prepared to document. Bring charged phones and extra batteries. Wear protective closed toed shoes (like work boots or hiking shoes). Gloves and heavy duty trash bags may be helpful. If you have a truck that can tow vehicles or a commercial drivers license, that *might* come in handy.
The state has failed the unhoused. Homelessness is the result of policies that criminalize poverty, addiction, mental health disabilities and treat human beings like garbage to be swept away while the underlying causes go ignored.
You can come for an hour or stay all day, but all hands on deck are needed!
Love and solidarity,
APTP
P.S. You can also venmo @love-and-justice to support from afar!
