Grassroots Leaders Prepare for November Election

Richmond, CA — The Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA) proudly celebrated 20 years of corporate-free grassroots activism on Saturday at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium. Many original founders and activists were in attendance, along with organizational partners, elected officials, and current members.

YES on Prop 33

Allow Richmond to Expand Rent Control

RPA recommends a YES vote on Prop 33 to Prohibit State Limitations on Local Rent Control Initiative. We join supporters such as Senator Bernie Sanders, Dolores Huerta, California Nurses Association, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, and the California Democratic Party. Opponents of this measure include the Republican Party of California, California Apartment Association, California Association of Realtors, and National Association of Realtors. All three members of Team Richmond – Melvin Willis, Claudia Jiménez, and Sue Wilson – support Prop 33.

$18 Minimum Wage Initiative

Over a decade ago, progressive leaders on the Richmond City Council led the effort to pass the Minimum Wage Increase Ordinance. Since then, major economic and social changes have taken place which have affected the quality of life for all working people. From the COVID-19 pandemic to hyperinflation in consumer goods, today’s households are holding on by a thread.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau and Zillow, an average Bay Area adult currently needs to earn over $100,000 ($50 hourly) to afford a one-bedroom apartment.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Zillow. "Housing Costs in the Bay Area: Median Rents and Salaries Needed." April 24, 2024. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/movers/income-needed-to-move-to-major-cities.

Richmond's Economic Development Commission (EDC) is bringing back "Taste of Richmond" with a fresh outlook. In this podcast, we interviewed Diana Wear, chair of the EDC, on how the event is changing to better meet the needs of Richmond’s diverse food and beverage entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Listen To The Podcast

A Bit of History

Taste of Richmond was founded by Janet Johnson, Sarah Wally, and Brandon Evans and was originally held at the historic Riggers Loft on Canal Blvd. This year, attendees can expect a completely new format with exciting benefits.

Latest News from Richmond City Hall

Catch up on hot items from this week’s Richmond City Council meeting below. If you're interested in making public comments as a member of RPA or getting involved, contact us.

Meetings are primarily held on the first, third, and fourth Tuesday of each month at 440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond, CA 94804.

Why We Need To Codify Marriage Equality in California

With an increased number of conservative judges, the right to marry is being threatened for LGBTQIA+ Californians. RPA is proudly standing by our community to protect marriage equality at the state level from a hostile court system.

This November, Californians will have a chance to defend hard-won civil rights from potential Supreme Court shenanigans. If passed, Proposition 3 will establish that the "right to marry is a fundamental right" in the state Constitution. 

Remove Involuntary Servitude as A Punishment for Crime

It’s shocking that slavery and involuntary servitude exist in this day and age — but it’s still enshrined in California’s constitution. Join RPA as we vote for an end to this exploitative system in November.

How Instant-Runoff Voting Expands Democracy

Have you ever worried about “wasting” your vote if you cast it for the candidate you truly favored, because they seemed unlikely to win? Or wished there was a box beside a certain candidate’s name that said, “No, anybody but this person”? Or heard doubts about the legitimacy of a 3-way election, based on the notion that 100% of voters for each of the losers surely would have voted for the other one, had one dropped out, so that “splitting” the vote changed the outcome?

These issues are resolved by a process called Instant Runoff Voting (also called “Ranked Choice”).

This fall, Richmond voters can approve a City Council-supported proposal for Instant Runoff Voting in future local elections. IRV makes a lot of sense and it’s not too complicated for voters to understand. But it’s not what voters are used to, so it requires a bit of an explanation.

The Richmond Progressive Alliance (RPA) is proudly standing by the recommendations of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Reimagine Richmond in the campaign against Prop 36.

What is Prop 36?

The California Proposition 36, Drug and Theft Crime Penalties and Treatment-Mandated Felonies Initiative is a state ballot measure headed to the polls this November. We strongly oppose the measure because it will lead to the increased criminalization of marginalized communities in Richmond.

Did you know that Richmond is home to another EPA Superfund site?

United Heckathorn is a contaminated site, located at the top of the Lauritzen Channel (between S. 2nd and S. 4th, south of Cutting Ave.) with pesticide contamination that extends well beyond into adjoining area waterways and the San Francisco Bay. It was initially classified as a Federal Superfund site in 1990. 

The US EPA serves as the lead regulatory agency and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is the supporting regulatory agency overseeing the cleanup of the contaminated upland and submerged lands.

City of Richmond, CA 2024. Photograph.