community

People’s Tribunal finds Chevron guilty of violating rights of nature

A panel of judges unanimously found Chevron guilty Sunday of operating its Richmond refinery “in violation of the principles of environmental justice and the rights of nature.” But the judges didn’t represent a state or federal court – rather, they were judges on a “People’s Tribunal” organized by environmental advocates. The Bay Area Rights of Nature Ethics Tribunal, convened by the Bay Area Rights of Nature Alliance (BARoNA), focused on the impact of the massive 2,900-acre refinery on surrounding communities,…

Richmond police one step closer to body cameras

On Tuesday, Oct. 7, the Richmond City Council whether to spend $85,000 on body cameras for the Richmond Police Deparment. If approved, the cameras will be mandatory to wear during an officer’s shift. If approved, the body cameras are set to be rolled out in early 2015.

The Hacienda housing project was declared uninhabitable. Why are tenants still living there?

The troubles at the Hacienda housing project were made public in February. The Richmond Housing Authority promised a tenant relocation in April. The initial application was sent in May. It’s now October—and mice still crawl at residents’ feet and cracks still spider up the walls. “I thought this place was coming down on my head during that Napa quake,” said Clarence Malbrough, a 16-year resident of the notorious Iron Triangle apartment complex on Roosevelt Ave. Residents and city council have…

Community gathers to prevent violence in wake of recent homicide

Calling for an end to the deadly violence that flared in Richmond in recent weeks, a small group of community volunteers from Ceasefire marched through Pullman Point Friday night. “We’ve been working tirelessly in the community to reduce gun violence,” activist Tamisha Walker said. The effort is part of a broader push by the community and police to stop the recent cycle of violence involving young men that culminated in a double homicide last month. Under the watchful eye of…

Richmond youth question mayoral and council candidates in debate

The RYSE Youth Center, Invest in Youth Coalition, and the League of Women Voters hosted a two-hour debate Thursday at Richmond’s City Council chambers, with youth age 24 and younger and audience members presenting Richmond’s 13 mayoral and city council candidates with a range of questions.