Anti-war Activist & Veteran Aimee Allison Enters Oakland District 2 Council Race

NEWS ADVISORY
from the Aimee Allison for City Council Campaign

Community leader and anti-war activist Aimee Allison enters race for District 2 council seat, will champion the needs of Oakland’s families

OAKLAND – Community leader and anti-war activist Aimee Allison will enter the race for Oakland’s district 2 city council seat. Allison is running on a platform of responsible government that emphasizes community-based economics over big moneyed interests.

Aimee, an African-American veteran and 12-year resident of Oakland's Lakeshore area, was urged to run for the District 2 seat by a coalition of neighborhood activist, union members, and Green Party members, because of her background as a teacher, non-profit business consultant, and housing advacate.

Oakland’s failing school system is a top priority for Allison. "Oakland needs leadership from the City Council to make our schools work for our children", she said recently. "We cannot let the State Administrator or the Governor’s office dictate what is best for Oakland’s youth."

Allison is also dedicated to increasing affordable housing for Oakland families. "I believe that the diversity of our neighborhoods is a strength that makes Oakland a special place in America," states Allison. "We need economic development that enhances, not uproots, our neighborhoods - we must not give away city assets to developers without ensuring they provide adequate affordable housing."

Aimee is no stranger to adversity. As a medic in the Army Reserves, she took a public stand against the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and received an honorable discharge as a conscientious objector. She continues to counseled service members about their rights and has led the national coalition to support Marine conscientious objector Stephen Funk.

Aimee Allison holds a Bachelors and Masters from Stanford University, where she was active in the Black Student Union and served as Student Body President. She enjoys living in Oakland with her husband Aaron Baluyot and seven year-old son Isaiah.

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NEWS ADVISORY
from the Aimee Allison for City Council Campaign

Aimee Allison to hold joint press conference with Wilson Riles, Stephen Funk at Army recruiting station to launch grassroots campaign for City Council

OAKLAND – City Council candidate Aimee Allison will hold a joint press conference with former City Council member Wilson Riles Jr. and Marine conscientious Objector Stephen Funk in front of the Army recruiting station.

Aimee will present a comprehensive plan for improving public schools and speak out against the practice of allowing recruiters on high school campuses.

The press conference will be held on Thursday (2/17/05) at 10 a.m. on the “public sidewalk” outside the recruitment center located at 2116 Broadway, Oakland, where Allison was enlisted into the Army.

As a medic in the Army Reserves, Allison took a public stand against the Persian Gulf War in 199, fighting for and receiving an honorable discharge as a consciences objector. She has since counseled numerous service members about their rights and recently worked on the legal defense team to free Stephen Funk.

"Jerry Brown has made Oakland friendlier for the military, by pushing the Military Academy as a panacea for our students, by inviting the Army for war games, and by encouraging the growth of a militarized police force," states Allison.

"I know that the military isn’t a game,” she added. “I am outraged that in a time of unjust war anyone thinks that our children should be encouraged to look upon the military as just another educational option."

Aimee Allison holds a Masters from Stanford University and spent several years teaching High School Social Studies in the East Bay. She lives in the Lake shore area of the city with her husband Aaron Baluyot and seven year-old son Isaiah.


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You are cordially invited to Aimee Allison's Campaign Kickoff Party
Date: Friday February 18
Start Time: 5:30 pm
Location: 531 Valle Vista Ave.
(Map)

Meet
Aimee Allison
Teacher, Vet, and Community Activist

Special guest
Wilson Riles
Former Oakland City Council Member