In a deep East Oakland church, anxious community members learn safety tips and constitutional rights

Amid heightened fears of a federal immigration crackdown, community members gathered in East Oakland for a “know-your-rights” training session. Organized by Rev. Cheryl Ward of Cheryl Ward Ministries and hosted at Amos Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the event featured speakers from the Anti Police-Terror Project and other advocacy groups. Attendees learned about their constitutional rights and basic safety tips, reflecting a community increasingly anxious about potential enforcement actions. Ward emphasized, “The question is not, are we prepared if they come.

It is, when they come. ” This training was part of an ongoing series aimed at educating high school and college students about civil rights. Local organizations have also conducted similar trainings online to reach residents throughout the Bay Area. The urgency of the session was underscored by reports of federal agents being dispatched to a Coast Guard base near Oakland. Participants left with actionable advice, including maintaining updated identification and car documentation to avoid unnecessary police encounters.