Wood Street Love

Our time at The Wood Street Commons has been special. We've had amazing parties, put in gardens, and helped grow the Commons Cafe. We've watched and helped Artists Building Communities build three more tiny homes. We've made friends, built community, played music, and hosted performances including an ariel performance hanging from the overpass above. It's been priceless and precious and has given all of us a chance to revel in our humanity.

All good things must come to an end though. The city of Oakland, despite our best efforts, decided it was time to bulldoze The Commons, to destroy people's homes and our community. We put up a fight, built a fence across the frontage and defended it for 10 days. We asked for an audience with city officials, we had reasonable demands; permanent supportive housing, and input by the homeless for the homeless in policy and housing decisions but instead of discussions about creative solutions desperately needed the city chose to destroy something beautiful. With bottomless coffers and personnel, the city sent 60 cops to march on our gates early Thursday morning last week. We couldn't stop them. We didn't have the numbers. Arrests were made and the destruction began. We've been in triage mode ever since, trying to dampen and mitigate the violence. Residents weren't offered anything close to a durable housing solution, rather 90 days of quasi incarceration in 'community cabins' a euphemism if I ever heard of one. Locked gates, 2 bins, no house keys, restrictive visitation many will leave and return to the streets and many won't even go into the program in the first place. Is it too much to ask to provide housing in the wealthiest state in the wealthiest country in one of the wealthiest areas in the world? I guess so. Ask for housing and receive bulldozers and cops. I guess that's what the American dream has come to. Sounds more like a nightmare to me.

Despite all this, the connections and community we've built are robust, durable and will live on. This experience has enrichened many lives and provided an essential perspective of life in this country that must be seen and acknowledged and shared if we wish to advance out of these dark ages. Many friends were made; in particular, I'd like to lift Love and Justice in the Streets, Anti Police-Terror Project and Camp Resolution in Sacramento. All have made tremendous contributions to Wood Street and our community during this trying time. Love and Justice has tirelessly kept us fed and nourished. APTP has shown up with strength and also kicked down for hotel rooms and storage for residents. Camp Resolution has shown up and stood by our side and in front of bulldozers. If you wish to donate please send money to these amazing organizations. Venmo: @APTPAction, @love-and-justice

As far as Cob on Wood, the two large cobins saved from the last sweep; the clinic and free store are still standing. They've been providing housing for several different residents. We also still have the solar array and the invaluable storage container that has made this project logistically possible. We don't have a secure place for these resources. We have a hail mary pass that may work with a lot of effort but it's a long shot. Regardless even if we do lose these structures what's most important are the relationships and the community and that will certainly live on. Thank you all so much for your support. Much love to you all. ✊