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TELL CHANCELLOR CHRIST: HANDS OFF PEOPLE’S PARK! Rally and Speakout: Monday June 6 at 12 noon

TELL CHANCELLOR CHRIST:
HANDS OFF PEOPLE’S PARK!
Rally and Speakout
Monday June 6 @ 12noon
California Hall, UC Berkeley

The Regents of the are preparing to invade and destroy People’s Park by mid-June and we call on our community to RESIST! We call on all people who value Open Space, Free Speech, User Development and the right of our community to exist to tell Chancellor Christ that we will defend People’s Park against this corporate University takeover!

JOIN US! Now is the time to challenge the Regents for their part in creating the current housing crisis in Berkeley! Now is the time to fight for our history and our future!

Sponsored by the Peoples Park Council
www.peoplespark.org

ALL are welcome to speakout!
Speakers include activists, lawyers, students, community members and park residents.
We must unite to fight.

EMERGENCY ALERT:
TEXT “SAVETHEPARK” TO 74121

Download this as a printable 8.5 x 11 inch PDF flyer.

For Immediate Release  
June 1, 2022

Contact:
Joe Liesner 510-542-3112
Max Ventura 510-900-1160

*********ATTENTION NEWS EDITOR*********

RALLY AND SPEAKOUT
TELL CHANCELLOR CHRIST: HANDS OFF PEOPLE’S PARK!

People’s Park Council is hosting a rally and speakout for groups and individuals who oppose UCB’s plan to destroy People’s Park. DEMAND OPEN SPACE!

The situation is increasingly urgent as UC administration and the City of Berkeley make plans to suppress community opposition to the impending invasion of People’s Park. Tensions are rising as deadlines and rumors of deadlines circulate through the park. The placement of large dumpsters in the park; the opening of the new Rodeway Inn specifically for the residents of People’s Park and anecdotal accounts of police warning campers that it is “illegal” to trespass, all indicate that the UC will attempt to take the park soon. Despite the fact that just this week the park was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, decades after it was named a City of Berkeley Landmark, UC is amassing its forces to attempt take People’s Park once and for all.

Our opposition is to the construction of ANY housing on People’s Park no matter who it is for. While the pandemic emergency required that we use public places to respond to an emergency, People’s Park is meant to be a place for all people. We all need open space and a place to be.

For the sake of the climate, for our health which depends on green spaces and trees for good air quality, for the sake of our mental health, and for the sake of our children who by nature need to have open space to explore and grow. For the sake of our history and the movement that not only built People’s Park, but also made Berkeley known internationally. We must prevent needless desecration of that sacred space. The University community and administration need to honor our rich tradition of resistance and let People’s Park remain as a community park.

Our history AND our future depend on People’s Park.

WHO: People’s Park Council
WHAT: Rally and Speakout
WHERE: California Hall, UC Berkeley
WHY: To protest UC occupation of the park
WHEN: Monday, June, 6, 2022 at 12pm

More information: www.peoplespark.org

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Nationally significant People’s Park was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 2022

To all our People’s Park Supporters:
We are very happy to report that after over two years of work we were able to send out this press release today. — Harvey Smith

For Immediate Release

For additional information:
Harvey Smith peoplesparkhxdist@gmail.com
510-684-0414

(May 27, 2022) – Nationally significant People’s Park was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 2022.

This designation underscores the historical, cultural, architectural and environmental assets of this irreplaceable open space. The park has an over half-century legacy of political and cultural events, a bio system of flora and fauna, and a surround of highly significant architecture.

This recognition follows being nominated unanimously by the California State Historical Resources Commission. People’s Park has played a key role as a gathering place for free speech during the decades of anti-war and civil rights struggles.

Former Berkeley Mayor Gus Newport commented that, “The stability of cities and towns is formed from the history of planning and participation of citizens. People’s Park very much reflects and proves this. People’s Park is very deserving of being on the National Register of Historic Places.”

However, the University of California plans to destroy the park despite its national significance. Harvey Smith, president of the People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group, commented that, “Its planned destruction is unconscionable. The park’s importance is beyond a squabble in Berkeley or within California. It is a nationally recognized historic site.”

Smith suggests the park should be preserved so that its appearance and infrastructure are no different than any other park within the City of Berkeley or any green space within the UC Berkeley campus. This is entirely possible once the present homeless population of the park is relocated to housing as planned by the City of Berkeley and the University.

The ill-considered plan of UC Berkeley to build on the park should be scuttled because the university has many alternative sites for student housing. Chief among them is the Ellsworth Parking Structure, which is one block away from People’s Park. Keeping a parking lot and destroying a park is a totally irresponsible action in the age of extreme climate change. UC Berkeley’s plan to demolish Evans Hall to create open space on the campus should be matched by maintaining the open space of People’s Park in the community.

Both the City of Berkeley and UC Berkeley celebrate the Free Speech and Sixties history of the Telegraph Avenue corridor. It is an asset to both the city and university, and among the reasons visitors from all parts of the globe are drawn to Berkeley. Recognizing People’s Park for the asset that it is and then preserving and enhancing it can only add to its value as a treasured Berkeley attraction.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

More information on the People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group can be found at peoplesparkhxdist.org.

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Project Roomkey – An Independent Review of Abode Services and the Rodeway Inn, Berkeley, California

A new report has been released, and is a comprehensive analysis of the living conditions and grievances of unhoused residents currently and formerly occupying the “Rodeway Inn” hotel.

This is the introduction, and the full report can be downloaded here:
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Project-Roomkey-Review-of-Abode-and-Rodeway-v.1.3.pdf

The Rodeway Inn is located at 1461 University Ave. In Berkeley California. The age of the building is unknown at this time. Rodeway Inn is currently operated under “Project Roomkey” a series of transitional living facilities whose program offers individual or shared rooms to chronically homeless individuals for a limited time until permanent supportive housing can be secured.

Project Roomkey is a program initially funded by the State Of California through intermediaries such as Alameda County. However, since 2020 most if not all funding is provided by The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

In its current form the Rodeway Inn Project Roomkey program is managed by local non-profit and contractor “Abode Services”. Abode operates several hotel and alternative shelter programs in the area as well as offering other homelessness services including outreach and housing case management in Alameda County. While Abode is currently contracted through Project Roomkey, recent developments (including a consent calendar item introduced at a recent Berkeley City Council meeting*) have shown that in coming months the Rodeway Inn program will be financed by the City Of Berkeley and UC Berkeley respectfully.

“Where Do We Go Berkeley”(WDWG) is a non-profit advocacy group based in Berkeley CA. WDWG has been in contact with the Rodeway Residents in question for over 3 years in several collaborative and supportive capacities. WDWG was instrumental in ensuring the placement of most residents by coordinating with “Lifelong Medical Street Medicine Team” who managed hotel referrals during the eviction of “Seabreeze” and “Ashby Shellmound” encampments. It is for this reason that WDWG carries the responsibility of ensuring that all who entered this Project Roomkey site are allowed the same rights and respect that any housed individual would be entitled to.

Almost immediately after unhoused residents from the I-80 Corridor were placed at Rodeway Inn, WDWG began receiving numerous complaints of misconduct and mistreatment regarding Abode staff. WDWG is bound by its mission statement and organizing documents to take each complaint it receives seriously and to attempt negotiation and advocacy for remedies that would be satisfactory to the complaining party. To that extent, WDWG feels ignoring or dismissing complaints would make them complicit and liable for any injury that may occur to their clientele during participation in a program such as “Roomkey”.

Contained in this report is a series of findings and recommendations. Some findings are based on declarations made by Rodeway Inn residents while others were witnessed directly by members of Where Do We Go Berkeley. Because of the discrimination inherent in homelessness issues, WDWG is inclined to believe allegations made by residents unless clear evidence can be provided that shows otherwise. While not all allegations have been submitted to Abode through their official grievance policy, most if not all issues have been expressed to staff and management at various times.

Project Roomkey – An Independent Review of Abode Services and the Rodeway Inn, Berkeley, California
Where Do We Go Berkeley
Telephone: 510-570-8026
Email: wheredowegoberk@gmail.com
Web: www.wheredowegoberk.org

Download the report:
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Project-Roomkey-Review-of-Abode-and-Rodeway-v.1.3.pdf

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The Future of Southside Berkeley’s Parks?

Trees • Oxygen • Gardens

Now is the time to maintain nature’s gifts!

  • We need MORE, not less, open, green space in Southside!
  • According to Alameda County records, UC has acres of land all over Berkeley and the Bay Area, including south of campus

Come and share your visions for how to make these essential parks open and usable by everyone. Join us! Please attend an important community meeting to discuss these issues!

March 30, 2022 at 7 p.m.
Seventh Day Adventist Church, 2236 Parker St., Berkeley

&&&&

Author coming to speak at UC Berkeley in April:
Davarian Baldwin, author of In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities are Plundering Our Cities, will be speaking at a public event

April 18, 2022 from 5-7 p.m.
Social Sciences Matrix, 820 Social Sciences Building, UCB

peoplespark.org & peoplesparkhxdist.org

**** And come celebrate with us for our People’s Park 53rd Anniversary Weekend April 23 and 24th. Concerts noon, on each day, and celebrate the Berkeley Student Co-ops also under threats from UC. Music, food, speakers, festivities, and workshops the 24th (check out peoplespark.org for more details closer to the time)

Download PDF flyer for these events.

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The Ever-Expanding University of California: Property Claims and the Battle Over People’s Park

The Ever-Expanding University of California: Property Claims and the Battle Over People’s Park (PDF)

Download:
Newer version with images:
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Ever-Expanding-U.-of-California-Property-Claims-and-the-Battle-Over-Peoples-Park-Pamphlet-v4.pdf

Older text-only version:
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/The-Ever-Expanding-University_-Property-Claims-and-the-Battle-Over-Peoples-Park-2.pdf

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PRESS RELEASE – Community groups continue fight against secret, illegal agreement between the City of Berkeley and UC Berkeley

For Immediate Release

For Additional Information:
Harvey Smith, peoplesparkhxdist@gmail.com, 510.684.0414

(January 31, 2022) – A coalition of community groups filed a lawsuit to fight the secret, illegal agreement that the City of Berkeley signed with UC Berkeley — giving UC Berkeley a blank check for unfettered growth. The agreement, signed in July 2021, prevents the City of Berkeley from filing any further legal action against UC Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) and withdrew the city’s objection to the destruction of several historic buildings and to the eviction of tenants from their rent controlled homes.

Three community organizations — Make UC a Good Neighbor, People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group (PPHDAG) and People’s Park Council (PPC) — amended their Petition on January 20, 2022 that challenges the City of Berkeley’s agreement with UC Berkeley regarding their LRDP. The Petition alleges the vote on the agreement violates the requirements of the Brown Act, which mandates local government to conduct business at open and public meetings.

“The residents of Berkeley will be saddled with this onerous agreement long after the Mayor, Chancellor, City Council members and Regents are gone from their positions. The basic principles of open government have been shamelessly tossed aside for purposes of political expediency,” according to Harvey Smith, member of the People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group.

The agreement prevents the city from taking legal action against the LRDP for the next 16 years. Although the city’s own analysis estimated UC Berkeley costs the city $21 million per year, the agreement will pay the city only $4.1 million per year, 20 cents on the dollar. Therefore, over the 16 years Berkeley taxpayers will be responsible for covering a deficit of over $250 million. Three other cities hosting UC campuses have negotiated much more favorable agreements, including the mandatory production of student housing.

The lawsuit cites the action of the Berkeley City Council to conclude “a secret agreement in closed session, never acknowledged, approved or disclosed in public session.” The Petition to the court also cites Measure L, an ordinance passed by Berkeley voters in 1986, which mandates “That wherever public parks and open space currently exist in Berkeley, such use shall continue and be funded at least to allow the maintenance of the present condition and services.” The agreement violates voter-approved Measure L by collaborating in the destruction of People’s Park, a user-developed and community-controlled open space in the South Campus area of Berkeley.

Additionally cited is Measure N, approved by voters in 1988; the secret agreement is described as running “afoul of the intent and aspirational policies set forth in Berkeley Measure N,” which requires the city to “use all available lawful means to ensure that public agencies abide by the rules and laws of the city and that these agencies pay taxes and fees, comparable to those paid by private citizens and business to support their fair share of city services.”

Although the Berkeley City Council had also resolved on multiple occasions to support tenant rights, and specifically the interests of tenants evicted from 1921 Walnut Street, Berkeley, the agreement bound the City “to not challenge the upcoming 2021 LRDP and UC’s Anchor House [1921 Walnut Street] and People’s Park housing projects.”

The lawsuit further stipulates that the City through its agreement with UC will “induce, aid and assist” in destruction of People’s Park as a student and community park and open space and has collaborated in breach of contract by UC Berkeley. “UC has breached its mutual commitments, promises, and written contracts with responsible People’s Park organizations,” which are included in Exhibits A through L of the Petition.

###

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Let’s Stroll Along Derby Creek in People’s Park

Imagine the beauty of the sun on sparkling water of Derby Creek running through a wooded glade in People’s Park. This can become reality as we all get involved in caring for our precious open space in Berkeley.

Derby Creek in People's Park color map
Derby Creek in People’s Park color map
Derby Creek in People’s Park pencil sketch

This very detailed and informative report looks the process of daylighting Derby Creek in People’s Park, restoring a beautiful riparian Berkeley habitat with native plants and flowing water and the restorative power of nature in our neighborhood and town.

Report to the University of California and the People’s Park Community Advisory Board on the Feasibility of Restoring Derby Creek at People’s Park, Berkeley, California

Submitted by: Wolfe Mason Associates, Inc. in association with Waterways Restoration Institute. June 20, 1998
https://peoplespark.org/images/derbycreek1998.pdf
(69 pages, 29 MB, PDF)

Contact People’s Park if you would like to be involved in or want to support this project: e-mail: info@peoplespark.org.

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People’s Park Nomination for National Historic Landmark, CSHRC, October 29, 2021

Video of the People’s Park Nomination for National Historic Landmark, CSHRC, October 29, 2021

Hearing of the People’s Park nomination for the National Register of Historic Places, by the California State Historical Resources Commission, October 29, 2021

Excerpted from video of full commission meeting, available here:
https://cal-span.org/unipage/index.php?site=cal-span&owner=CSHRC&date=2021-10-29

Short introductions of Commissioners:
Lee Adams III, Chair (Public Member)
Adam Sriro, Vice Chair (Historical Archeology)
Bryan K. Brandes (Public Member)
Alan Hess (Architecture)
Luis Hoyos (Architectural History)
René Vellanoweth (Prehistoric Archeology)
and State Historic Preservation Officer:
Julianne Polanco

Followed by public comment, discussion and unanimous affirmative vote.

The Keeper of the Register is expected to issue final approval of the nomination within 45 days.

The original request for the nomination, with extensive historical context, was submitted to the commission by the People’s Park Historic District Advocacy Group, and can be read here:
https://ohp.parks.ca.gov/pages/1067/files/CA_Alameda_Peoples%20Park_DRAFT.pdf

For more information about People’s Park, its history and current events, please visit:
https://www.peoplespark.org/wp/
https://defendthepark.org/