I just received this press release from the Executive Director of the SMAAC Youth Center in Oakland California.
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Oakland, CA - May 21, 2008
The Atrium of Oakland’s historic city hall was the scene of a vulgar display of abusive power yesterday, 20 May 2008, when a small group of youth and young adults (ages 14 – 22) and their Leader peacefully requested a meeting with the Mayor and his Chief of Staff to discuss the inequities in funding allocated by the Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY). The youth participants from SMAAC Youth Center were at City Hall to bring attention to the lack of program funding for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer, Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQQI) youth and young adults in the City of Oakland. The Oakland Fund for Children and Youth administers $13.8 million dollars for programs. Only one (1) program serving LGBTQQI youth and young adult received $175,000.00 (1.26% of the $13.8). This is an amount significantly less than the requested $300,000.00 (2.17% of the $13.8m).
While practicing their civil rights to peacefully assemble, the well-behaved youth were insulted and made visibly upset after the guard began shouting at them. The youth were possibly traumatized when their Leader, Mr. Roosevelt Mosby, was verbally assaulted and described as a “nigger” by one of the Mayor’s Private Security Guards. The youth and young adults were surprised when the Guards call the Oakland Police Department as if they were rioting and looting City Hall.
“I am convinced that Mayor Dellums doesn’t value this community and doesn’t believe he must serve all of the citizens of Oakland. He may have championed the causes of the LGBTQQI Community in Washington, DC, but not locally,” declared Roosevelt Mosby. “We ask all freedom loving persons to join our campaign in support of Oakland’s youth and young adults! Firstly, please write to Mayor Dellums and let him know that the disenfranchisement of any of Oakland’s citizenry is unacceptable! (http://us.mc559.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=officeofthemayor@oaklandnet.com) Secondly, join us next Tuesday, 27 May 2008 at 5:30 for a Rally for Youth and Young Adults in conversation with the City Council! Thirdly, if you have never supported the LGBTQQI youth community please consider making a tax-deductible donation to SMAAC Youth Center. (SYC 1608 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612) As we celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary (July 12 – 19, 2008), we are confident that with more community support we will be able to continue our efforts to help youth and young adults make the transition to healthy and productive adulthood.”
The Atrium of Oakland’s historic city hall was the scene of a vulgar display of abusive power yesterday, 20 May 2008, when a small group of youth and young adults (ages 14 – 22) and their Leader peacefully requested a meeting with the Mayor and his Chief of Staff to discuss the inequities in funding allocated by the Oakland Fund for Children and Youth (OFCY). The youth participants from SMAAC Youth Center were at City Hall to bring attention to the lack of program funding for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, Queer, Questioning and Intersex (LGBTQQI) youth and young adults in the City of Oakland. The Oakland Fund for Children and Youth administers $13.8 million dollars for programs. Only one (1) program serving LGBTQQI youth and young adult received $175,000.00 (1.26% of the $13.8). This is an amount significantly less than the requested $300,000.00 (2.17% of the $13.8m).
While practicing their civil rights to peacefully assemble, the well-behaved youth were insulted and made visibly upset after the guard began shouting at them. The youth were possibly traumatized when their Leader, Mr. Roosevelt Mosby, was verbally assaulted and described as a “nigger” by one of the Mayor’s Private Security Guards. The youth and young adults were surprised when the Guards call the Oakland Police Department as if they were rioting and looting City Hall.
“I am convinced that Mayor Dellums doesn’t value this community and doesn’t believe he must serve all of the citizens of Oakland. He may have championed the causes of the LGBTQQI Community in Washington, DC, but not locally,” declared Roosevelt Mosby. “We ask all freedom loving persons to join our campaign in support of Oakland’s youth and young adults! Firstly, please write to Mayor Dellums and let him know that the disenfranchisement of any of Oakland’s citizenry is unacceptable! (http://us.mc559.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=officeofthemayor@oaklandnet.com) Secondly, join us next Tuesday, 27 May 2008 at 5:30 for a Rally for Youth and Young Adults in conversation with the City Council! Thirdly, if you have never supported the LGBTQQI youth community please consider making a tax-deductible donation to SMAAC Youth Center. (SYC 1608 Webster Street, Oakland, CA 94612) As we celebrate our 10 Year Anniversary (July 12 – 19, 2008), we are confident that with more community support we will be able to continue our efforts to help youth and young adults make the transition to healthy and productive adulthood.”
SMAAC Youth Center
Contact: Roosevelt Mosby, Jr.
1608 Webster Street, Oakland, CA
510-834-9578
http://us.mc559.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=SMAACSED@AOL.COM
http://www.smaacyouthcenter.org/
Contact: Roosevelt Mosby, Jr.
1608 Webster Street, Oakland, CA
510-834-9578
http://us.mc559.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=SMAACSED@AOL.COM
http://www.smaacyouthcenter.org/
Joe
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