“I’m thankful to be alive,” answered Wilson, a homeless veteran with his homeless wife, “and I’m thankful to be in Fresno.” “Huh, thankful to be in Fresno?” I ask back. Before he answered, I [...] Continue Reading
Columns
Craig Scharton: Fresno’s Downtown Development Czar Talks to the Community Alliance
We printed an interview with three members of Southwest Fresno H.E.A.T. in last month’s issue of the Community Alliance newspaper. In that interview, the organizers raised concerns about high density [...] Continue Reading
The Ben Lomond Four (Muslims Targeted During Ramadan)
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) houses prisoners of every faith imaginable: Islam, Catholic, Protestant, Episcopalian, Baptist, Jewish, Mormon, Buddhism, Hinduism, [...] Continue Reading
Grassroots Profile
I remember when I first met Camille Russell. A group of us peaceniks was picketing against the bombing of Kosovo on what we now call “Peace Corner” at Shaw and Blackstone, and there was a newcomer [...] Continue Reading
Exposing Prison
There is no shortage of matters of importance that need to be brought to the attention of the public from inside California’s prison system. Its difficult to prioritize what is more important to write [...] Continue Reading
21st Cuba Caravan Packs a Few Surprises
Editor’s Note: Gerry Bill recently returned from the 2010 Pastors for Peace Caravan to Cuba, his fourth such caravan in as many years. These are his observations of this year’s events. By Gerry [...] Continue Reading
State of Art in Fresno
It’s hard not to like Mark Rodriguez. Maybe it’s something about the lines around his eyes when he is smiling. Which is something he does often when talking about what he loves to do and has been [...] Continue Reading
Credo: Gloria Hernandez
Ally or opponent, everyone knows that Gloria Hernandez means business. For decades now, since walking the UFW picket lines as a child with her parents, Gloria has been out front demanding justice and [...] Continue Reading
September Poll: Do you think City of Fresno police chief Jerry Dyer should resign or be removed from office?
Please leave your thoughts and views about Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer's tenure in Comments below. [...] Continue Reading
Grassroots Profile
I forgot to ask this month's subject, Ernesto Saavedra, if he was named after Che. Even if his parents didn't think of it, it would have been appropriate. For this Ernesto is a 24/7 organizer of [...] Continue Reading
Joaquin Cuesta Castro
Editor's note: The Community Alliance newspaper covers the passing of people who have touched the lives of members in the Central Valley progressive community. Joaquin Castro will be missed by us [...] Continue Reading
Fresno’s Homeless People Chatter
The talk on the streets by homeless people concerning homeless issues is among the most talked about subjects in some neighborhoods and communities, to include some people in north Fresno, where a [...] Continue Reading