[1]Alameda in the news
I prefer to stay out of the news, but sometimes the news comes to us. For example, last month we learned, less than 24 hours in advance, of a federal deployment of immigration enforcement agents to Coast Guard Island Alameda [2] (CGIA). CGIA is a human-made island in the Oakland Estuary, between Alameda and Oakland. Although located within Alameda city limits, CGIA is a secure, federally owned facility.
Protests of the deployment outside CGIA were largely peaceful until an individual attempted to back a U-Haul truck through barricades and onto CGIA and was shot by Coast Guard law enforcement officers and arrested.
Alameda County Sheriff Yesenia Sanchez’s Office later confirmed that the planned surge operation in the Bay Area had been called off, due in part, to a phone conversation between San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and the President.
It is important to note that the Alameda Police Department, pursuant to the City of Alameda’s Sanctuary City policy, will not assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration enforcement. However, the City cannot prevent action by ICE or other entities the President deploys to assist in immigration enforcement.
Therefore, residents should know their rights. If you think you see ICE in action, suspect ICE activity in progress, or if you or someone you know has been detained by ICE, call ACILEP [3], the Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership hotline for verification, rapid response, and immigration legal services: 510-241-4011. For more information, visit the City of Alameda [4] website and type “Know your rights” into the search box.
Finally, a reminder that Alameda is a proud official “U.S. Coast Guard City” and home to hundreds of Coast Guard members and their families who live, work, and attend school here, volunteer in the community, and support local businesses. The women and men who serve in the U.S. Coast Guard perform vital services around the globe every day, including maritime rescue operations, drug interdiction, and protecting America’s ports and waterways. As part of the Department of Homeland Security, they take their orders from the Secretary of Homeland Security. While the First Amendment provides the right to peacefully protest government actions, our Coast Guard friends and neighbors deserve only our continued support and gratitude for the sacrifices they make in service to our nation, often in the face of great danger.
Addressing food insecurity
As I write this article, in the sixth week of the government shutdown, the Federal Administration has announced that it will comply with two federal court orders to release emergency funds to help cover Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. However, recipients of this food assistance will receive only about half the amount of assistance they normally receive, adding to growing food insecurity in the Bay Area and beyond, as federal workers continue to miss paychecks.
Fortunately, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors’ voted recently to allocate $10 million of Measure W funds to fight food insecurity. $8.3 million of these funds will support the Alameda County Community Food Bank which helps supply local food banks, including the Alameda Food Bank (AFB), and $1.7 million will help fund Meals on Wheels and other programs serving seniors.
AFB typically serves only those who live, work, or go to school in the City of Alameda. However, they’ve paused their qualification guidelines and are now serving anyone in need of food assistance during this crisis. Each family may receive food once a week, in-person at the food bank’s Island Community Market. Those with mobility issues can order online for curbside pickup.
AFB is located at 677 West Ranger Avenue at Alameda Point and is served by AC Transit’s Line 96 bus. Distribution hours are Monday & Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. If you need food assistance, visit the Alameda Food Bank [5] website for more information.
For seniors, lunch is provided at Mastick Senior Center, 1155 Santa Clara Avenue, Monday through Friday at noon. The senior center is served by AC Transit’s Line 51A bus. For more information, or to sign up to receive these nutritious meals provided by Spectrum Community Services, call 510-747-7503.
Homebound Alameda residents can have hot meals delivered to their home seven days a week from Alameda Meals on Wheels. For more information, call 510-865-6131.
No one in Alameda should go hungry.
Give thanks—it’s good for you
Scientific studies have shown that gratitude can improve our psychological well-being. So, as we enter the Thanksgiving season and beyond, find something you’re grateful for, and express your gratitude to others. I am grateful for the wonderful Alamedans who volunteer in many ways for various organizations, schools, sports teams, and more, to make our community a better place. And I am grateful to be your Mayor.
Let’s stay Alameda Strong!
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft is the Mayor of the City of Alameda. Reach her at [email protected] [6].