We speak with Mike Hutchinson about Oakland school board’s decision to pass the Reparations for Black Students Resolution. Rachel Jackson talks about the death Tyrell Wilson, a 32-year-old Black man who was shot by a Danville police officer Andrew Hall, last week. The Danville police officer who shot Mr. Wilson has been identified as the same officer who shot and killed another man in 2018.
And we speak with Bilal Mahasin about changing the Oakland communities where he grew up, often connecting with at-risk youth through a shared love of boxing. He also talks about African American and Asian solidarity.
Mike Hutchinson – Oakland Board of Education Commissioner. Hutchinson’s journey began in 2012 when the school he was teaching at was closed by the board; he began to organize against such school closures and outside interference in his district – leading to two previous runs for office and his recent 2020 victory. As an elected school board commissioner, Hutchinson seeks to build back trust and community engagement in the district’s school system, especially now as the board faces schooling in a pandemic. In this interview, we discussed his learnings and insights, particularly relevant to communications, organizing and education justice.
Rachel Jackson – Organizer with People’s Strike, Support Amazon Workers, the Oscar Grant Committee Against Police Brutality and State Repression.
The march for Tyrell Wilson is March 28th from 3:30-5:30pm at Sycamore Park and Ride. For more information Together We Stand facebook page.
Bilal Mahasin aka Coach Bilal – Pro Boxer, Boxing Coach, Motivational Speaker, Writer and Community Leader and owner of Guardian Gym in Oakland, Ca. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOGZibttApQ