'Street Wisdom' Topic at Safe Oakland Speaker Series Wednesday

From a press release from Oakland City Councilmember LibbySchaaf's office:

On Wednesday, May 22, Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere Founder Pastor Zac Carey, Caught in the Crossfire First Responder Kyndra Simmons, and Oakland Street Outreach Team Lead Akil Truso will share firsthand knowledge of violence from their outreach work on Oakland’s toughest streets at the Safe Oakland Speaker Series.
The event will take place from 7-9 pm at Holy Names University.

Truso, Carey, and Simmons will speak for one hour about their experiences and their efforts to make Oakland safer, and then take questions from the audience for the second hour of the program.

Councilmember At-Large Rebecca Kaplan will join the panel discussion, which will be moderated by Councilmember Libby Schaaf.

Oakland Street Outreach Team Lead Akil Truso works with residents in some of Oakland’s toughest neighborhoods, connecting them with vital City services. He also works as a speaker and trainer with several criminal justice organizations. Oakland’s Street Outreach work was recognized with the 2012 California Peace Price.

Pastor Zac Carey leads True Vine Ministries in West Oakland. A community organizer and advocate, Carey also founded S.A.V.E. (Soldiers Against Violence Everywhere), a citywide grassroots organization which provides resources and solutions for a more peaceful Oakland, and holds “Stand-ins” every Saturday at the street corners where Oaklanders have been murdered.

Kyndra Simmons is a first responder for Caught in the Crossfire, which provides counseling and assistance to violent crime victims and works to prevent retaliatory violence. When an Oaklander is shot, Kyndra responds immediately to hospital emergency room to interrupt potential retaliatory responses from the victim’s family or friends.

“It’s important for Oaklanders from every neighborhood to hear from leaders like Truso, Simmons, and Pastor Carey,” says Councilmember Libby Schaaf, who created the Safe Oakland Speaker Series.

“For these leaders, the violence is more than numbers on a page; it’s real, because they see it every day. Their knowledge and the great work they do must play an integral part in our efforts to make Oakland safer.”

DETAILS: Pastor Zac Carey, Akil Truso, and Kyndra Simmons speak at Councilmember Libby Schaaf’s Safe Oakland Speaker Series from 7 to 9 pm on Wednesday, May 22 at Holy Names University, Valley Center for the Performing Arts, 3500 Mountain Blvd, Oakland, 94619. Parking will be available on campus.

Councilmember Schaaf’s office will be live-streaming the event online at www.ustream.tv/channel/safe-oakland-speaker-series. A recording of the event can also be viewed afterwards at the same site. Visitwww.SafeOakland.com, email LSchaaf@oaklandnet.com, or call 238-7004 for details.

Upcoming Safe Oakland Speaker Series Events:

CAN CONSTITUTIONAL POLICING MAKE SAFER STREETS?
Wednesday, June 19th, 7 – 9pm
Civil Rights Attorney and Los Angeles Police Department Special Assistant for Constitutional Policing Gerald Chaleff explains why constitutional policing matters and how it helped, not hindered, reducing crime in tough cities like LA.

CRIME & PUNISHMENT: HOW TO HAVE LESS OF BOTH
Wednesday, June 26th, 7 – 9pm
UCLA public policy professor Mark Kleiman discusses how clear rules and credible sanctions could control crime without crowding the prisons.