Oakland

Dozens of anti-war protesters including the leadership and many members of the Oakland Education Association (OEA) joined the picket lines this morning and in the evening of the SSA (Stevedoring Services of America) shipping terminal in Oakland, California to protest the war and the lack of funding for schools in Oakland.

Around 900 Bay Area refuse collectors could refuse to work from Friday in solidarity with landfill site staff across Alameda County. The landfill workers, who belong to International Longshore and Warehouse Union, deal with garbage from 13 different cities, and garbage truck drivers from the Teamster union have promised to honour the strike.

The history of the 1996 strike of teachers in Oakland, California for smaller class sizes and higher wages, which took up the slogan: "Classrooms First!"

By nightfall the strikers had instructed all stores except pharmacies and food markets to shut down, Bars were allowed to stay open, but they could serve only beer and had to put their juke boxes out on the sidewalk to play at full volume and no charge. 'Pistol Packin' Mama, Lay That Pistol Down', the number one hit, echoed off all the buildings.