Katharine Davies Samway, Author at Oakland Voices

East Bay activists cautiously hopeful about Gaza ceasefire

February 12, 2025 Katharine Davies Samway

Some East Bay activists expressed hope at the Gaza ceasefire. Others said pressure must continue to end U.S. military for Israel.

East Bay organizations address racial wealth gap, promote Black homeownership

December 26, 2024 Katharine Davies Samway

Some racial justice advocates promote Black homeownership as a form of reparations, seeking to address the longstanding effects of slavery.

a brown wooden board with pieces of a white banner left

Bay Area Churches’ “Ceasefire” Banners Vandalized

May 29, 2024 Katharine Davies Samway

Several churches in the Bay Area have had their ceasefire banners vandalized.

Over 1,000 People Join 22-Mile Interfaith Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage

March 26, 2024 Katharine Davies Samway

People from all faiths and backgrounds joined in on a 22 mile interfaith walk to call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

a diverse group of people holding protest signs about Israel's attack on Gaza

Christian Organizations’ Responses to Israel’s Destruction of Gaza

March 19, 2024 Katharine Davies Samway

Demonstrations in support of Palestinians have highlighted the limited visibility of a strong Christian presence, attributed to historical antisemitism and fear of being labeled antisemitic, despite the Holy Land’s significance to Christianity.

An elder African American woman with short hair and a dress smiles for camera inside a church with colorful windows

Oakland’s Plymouth United Church is Promoting Jazz and Justice

May 8, 2023 Katharine Davies Samway

The 120-year old church now embraces social justice and inclusion.

A collage of four diverse people, mostly Latinx

Undocumented Immigrants in Oakland: “We Live in a Country that Hates Us, but Benefits from Our Labor. We Belong Here.”

November 17, 2022 Katharine Davies Samway

In October 2022, a federal court ruled against the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA. The participants of the program are immigrants who came to the U.S. as minors, and are

a man wearing glasses and a suit speaks at podium

Oakland Pastors Support Palestinian Struggle

May 19, 2022 Katharine Davies Samway

Sami Abu Shehadeh is one of only 10 Palestinian legislators in the 120-member Israeli Knesset (Parliament), even though Palestinians make up 20% of Israel’s citizens. Recently, he toured the U.S. to visit Palestinian American communities

Some Unexpected Outcomes of the Pandemic: Katharine Davies Samway

February 25, 2022 Katharine Davies Samway

We asked our Oakland Voices alumni community members and correspondents: How has pandemic life changed your habits and your outlook? How have you navigated public spaces and health risks now that we are in a

A Chicana woman with dark brown hair smiles. On the right, an illustrated image of a young brown girl in braids, with a wire fence in front of her and "Land of the Cranes" as the title in white font

Oakland Author Aida Salazar Humanizes Border Detainees Through Children’s Book

April 26, 2021 Katharine Davies Samway

Oakland author Aida Salazar’s latest book delves into immigration centers for children to understand, through a series of free-verse poems