Reminder! Action on Grand Avenue - April 13th
We commemorate the loss of Michael Burawoy, and demand a safer Grand Avenue
Grand Avenue Tragedy
On February 3rd, retired UCB Sociology professor Michael Burawoy was crossing Grand Avenue at Park View Terrace, right in front of Fairyland, when he was struck in the crosswalk and killed by a driver. This tragic loss is sadly part of a pattern of ongoing danger on Grand Avenue, as it is on other multi-lane streets in Oakland. We don’t want to wait any longer for our streets to be safer!
Commemorative Protest
On Sunday April 13th, at 1PM, Traffic Violence Rapid Response will host a commemorative protest for the loss of our neighbor, and against the ongoing danger to young and old that is Grand Avenue today. At the intersection of Grand and Park View. Bring signs, flowers, candles, your friends, family and neighbors, and all your feelings.
Every Loss is Tragic, but Change is Possible
At least thirty people died on the streets of Oakland last year due to traffic violence. Four of those were people attempting to cross International Blvd. The latest of these, Mardenia Carillo Lopez, age 17, died in front of her mother last August as they were crossing at 72nd Avenue.
TVRR pushed repeatedly for a solution on International for 2 years, and won a quick-build project, and now crashes, injuries, and fatalities are far lower than in the preceding three years. Public pressure works. So please come on April 13th, and bring your desire for change!
Safety Can’t Wait!
The Oakland DOT is already working on a redesign of Grand Avenue from Broadway to Mandana. TVRR supports using the redesign for calmer traffic, safer crossings, and greater vibrancy for Grand. People deserve to access Lake Merritt, our “central park”, safely and comfortably, on foot, on bikes, and on transit.
Sign the petition if you have not done so already.
Follow TVRR on BLUESKY and on INSTAGRAM. We’ll be posting much more about Grand in the coming weeks.
The most important thing is to be loud - to OakDOT and your council person - with your support for Safety Can’t Wait!
Your City Government
- Noel Gallo, Council President, District 5: ngallo@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-7005
- Zac Unger, District 1: zunger@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-7001
- Rebecca Kaplan, interim D2: district2@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-7002
- Carroll Fife, District 3: cfife@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-7003
- Janani Ramachandran, District 4: jramachandran@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-7004
- Ken Houston, District 7: khouston@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-7007
- Rowena Brown, at-large: atlarge@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-7008
- Kevin Jenkins, interim Mayor: kjenkins@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-7006, officeofthemaytor@oaklandca.gov, also District 6 Council Member
- Jestin Johnson, City Administrator: cityadministratorsoffice@oaklandca.gov (510) 238-3301