‘We need your support’: An open letter from Wood Street
By members of the Wood Street encampment community on The Wood Street Commons is scheduled for eviction on January 9. The Commons is a resource hub for unhoused in the West Oakland area.
Opinion
View Articles in Other Categories
Berkeley’s Specialized Care Unit was designed to be an alternative to police—let’s keep it that way
By Berkeley Copwatch on As the City of Berkeley prepares to roll out the Specialized Care Unit, let’s not forget where it came from, Berkeley Copwatch writes.
A note to my amazing customers—thank you for your support
By Vernon Dailey on Vernon Dailey sells the paper in Fairfax and at Berkeley Bowl West.
My Christmas carol: a roof over my head for the holidays
By Vicky Batcher on After a period of homelessness, housing has allowed me to give my kids the kind of Christmas I used to have, Vicky writes.
I hate smoking cigarettes but I can’t quit
By Jack Bragen on I must face this demon myself, Bragen writes.
Leaked texts reveal racism, anti-homelessness in BPD
By Berkeley Copwatch on The recently leaked text messages reveal unsurprising truths and create a unique opportunity for Berkeleyans to hold their police force accountable.
Poor in public: Socia, my RV neighbor
By Martha Cast on An excerpt from Martha Cast’s book, Poor in Public: a collection of essays about the people she met and experiences she had while homeless in Berkeley between the years of 2014 and 2015.
Staying warm and dry 101
By Ace Backwords on As the weather changes, some tips for staying warm and dry on the street.
Promises to protect incarcerated LGBTQ people go unfulfilled
By Gary K. Farlow on Despite recent legislative wins, prison remains unsafe for LGBTQ+ people.
Societal shame degrades self-esteem; makes it hard to get off the street
By Andy Pope on Often, society’s expectations of unhoused people are degrading, and do nothing to help get people indoors.
Berkeley vehicle dwellers win settlement in court
By Berkeley Copwatch on Despite the wins in the settlement, plaintiffs have yet to receive their vehicle repair and registration stipends.
All quiet at People’s Park: here’s what’s going on in court
By Lisa Teague and Harvey Smith on The stay on new construction will remain until the case works its way through the appeals process.