Akonadi Foundation stands firmly against the federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police department and the Trump administration’s blatant abuse of power, including threats to deploy the same tactics in other major cities like Oakland. Despite the fear-mongering and lies, violent crimes continue to decline in major cities throughout the country. This includes here at home, where overall crime dropped 28% in the first half of 2025 compared to last year, and homicides fell by nearly a quarter.
In Oakland, we know that we keep us safe – our neighbors, healers, artists, organizers, and community leaders, not outside forces with badges and handcuffs that don’t know us, don’t understand us, and too often criminalize us. That’s why we invest in movement-led initiatives that resist systems of criminalization, reimagine youth justice, and restore safety rooted in belonging, not punishment.
We know exactly who this kind of move targets: Black and brown communities who have called their neighborhoods home for generations. This isn’t about safety. It’s about control, and it’s rooted in the same racist, punitive playbook we’ve seen for decades. Militarizing our streets, harassing unhoused residents, and criminalizing young people is not how we make our communities safer.
True safety is built when every person has what they need to thrive: Affordable housing. Access to healthy food. Health care. Education and employment opportunities. Real connection.
To those who would try to dictate the future of Oakland from afar: We see through the lies, and we will resist.
To our Oakland community: We got us.
In solidarity always,
Akonadi Foundation
