I am so mad. Just found out that someone reported my beloved Black neighbor to his *property insurance company* to complain about the 2 "free tables" he upkeeps in the space between the sidewalk and the curb in front of his house. #IHateGentrification

These free tables have been going for the past 12 years. They are a lifeline to countless people in our neighborhood and beyond. Houseless folks, elders, disabled folks, families. Anyone can put anything on it and *anyone* can take whatever they need.

[Photo of 2 tables tables covered w a blue tarp/garbage bags, secured w duct tape. 1 is a folding table and the other is a wooden dining room table. Both are covered w: loaves of packaged bread, large squash, piles of greens/boxes filled w fruit.]

People leave everything from food to clothes, books, plants and toys for anyone to take.

My neighbor has lived in Oakland for over 20 years with his family and they live in a multi-generation house. They are such a staple in our neighborhood and their community.

There's always been a weekly drop-off of food (from food banks w over-flow or local folks).

It has always been life-sustaining for so many folks who rely on the weekly food drops, but now re pandemic, it has been a center point for our neighborhood, esp for our disabled elders who can’t get out to the stores.

The food banks are inundated right now, but other folks have stepped up to fill the gap. Folks in the neighborhood have also been leaving produce from their home gardens as well as trays of plant starts (veggies and flowers) for people to take and grow.

The other day i sat at my desk facing the free table as i took part in a radio show about ‘healing in this moment’ and I watched as some Black men pulled up in a big truck filled with crates of food and were greeted by my neighbor.

They all unloaded greens, vegetables and fruit into extra boxes on the table, and spread out bags of bread. I watched as neighbor after neighbor came by on foot and in cars to take food. Greeted with love and happiness by my neighbor.

Mutual aid does not have to be complicated or formal. This simple act of a couple of tables set-up, has created a beautiful example of long-term mutual aid and informal community infrastructure that was able to seamlessly adapt to the current crises.

12 years. 12 years the tables have been here. And now they are gone bc someone called his property insurance company and reported him. He doesn't even know who reported him. He just got a call from the insurance company. So fcked up.

Like everywhere in Oakland, our neighborhood has been undergoing intense gentrification. New (white and/or rich folks--many tech folks--have been moving in and pushing folks out. This kind of thing has been happening more and more. People spying on and surveilling our neighbors.

I am so mad and heartbroken for what losing those free tables will mean for so many. Esp in the pandemic and the fires.

What kind of person would do such a thing. What kind of selfishness and entitlement? It hurts no one and helps so many. It connects people.

and also, how the fck do you find out someone's property insurance company to report them? just. WTF??? How fcking creepy and cowardly? You don't even go up and have a conversation with the person?

Whoever you are, fuck you.

thank you to everyone who has expressed outrage at this. I will talk with my neighbor and see if he'd like anything to be done or if there is any other kind of support folks can lend. will let you all know if there's anything folks can help with. <3