Qilombo in Oakland Evicted by Sheriff's Deputies: Chaga Responds (video)

[Photo: Oakland police cruisers in front of Qilombo, 2313 San Pablo Avenue.]


When no one was in the building on the morning of January 9, Alameda County Sheriff's deputies oversaw the padlocking of security gates on behalf of the property management company, thereby formally evicting Qilombo from the building. Presumably, a representative of the landlord actually placed the new locks.

Hours later, Qilombo member Chaga kwa Nia requested permission to enter the premises from maintenance workers who were inside, so he could gather clothing and other items. He placed them in a bag and left the bag on the sidewalk out front.

When Chaga returned, Oakland police vehicles were in front of the building. As Chaga walked away with his bag, OPD accused him of having broken into the building and handcuffed him. He was later released and not charged with any crimes.

During the time they were there, police entered the space and removed computer equipment, Qilombo members say, but no warrant was shown to those who had arrived after the police. OPD were on the scene for about an hour.

Originally leased and established as The Holdout social center in the Fall of 2011, after having been vacant for years, the storefront on San Pablo Avenue re-opened as Qilombo in April 2014. Qilombo offered neighborhood residents a reading library, educational programs, computer access, meals, a garden next door, and more. Qilombo hosted music and arts gatherings as well as countless politically radical events on behalf of those effected by police violence, prisoners, and other marginalized peoples from across the country and around the world.

In 2015, the previous owner of the long-empty lot next to the building attempted several times to evict farmers and destroy the Africa Town community garden, but backed down after hundreds of allies showed up to defend the space and city officials intervened on behalf of Qilombo.

Neill Sullivan's SMC East Bay acquired the building and the adjoining lot used for the garden, then refused to renew Qilombo's lease in 2016. SMC East Bay, along with Sullivan's REO Homes, is responsible for numerous evictions and widespread gentrification throughout Oakland, especially in West Oakland. Qilombo has been fighting to hold on to the space ever since, until deputies rushed the building when no one was present and put new locks on the doors.

In the video below, Chaga explains that the eviction process was allowed to proceed against Qilombo without their participation because the rental company, the post office, the city, and the sheriff's office conspired to make sure Qilombo members did not receive related notices and legal filings. They were out of the loop until sheriff's deputies locked Qilombo.

Next steps for the community social center remain uncertain.


[UPDATED: The initial version of this story reported that Oakland police had raided and evicted Qilombo without noting the prior actions of sheriff's deputies.]


See also:

West Oakland’s Qilombo Loses Lease After Ghost Ship Fire (December 2016)
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/12/30/18795012.php

Solidarity With Qilombo Facing Eviction (October 2015)
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/10/20/18779066.php

Hundreds Defend 'Afrika Town' Community Garden in Oakland (April 2015)
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2016/01/07/18781577.php

Afrika Town Victory — Community Garden Wins Reprieve from Bulldozer and OPD (April 2015)
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/04/07/18770839.php

Stand in Solidarity and Stop AfrikaTown from Being Destroyed (April 2015)
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/04/02/18770733.php

Call to Defend the Afrika Town Community Garden in Oakland (March 2015)
https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/03/12/18769857.php