UCP Press Conference on Illegal Dumping

URBAN COMPASSION PROJECT TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE REVEALING THE TRUTH ABOUT ILLEGAL DUMPING IN OAKLAND

Date: Thursday, October 16
Time: 11 AM PST
Location: Frank Ogawa Plaza, in front of Oakland City Hall, Oakland, CA

OAKLAND, CA: The Urban Compassion Project (UCP), a grassroots organization that has been on the ground since 2021 cleaning some of Oakland’s most heavily dumped and encampment-ridden areas, will hold a public press conference to shed light on the truth about illegal dumping and the lack of accountability surrounding it.

Since 2021, UCP has removed over 2,600 tons of illegally dumped waste from Oakland’s streets while working directly with homeless residents and a network of over 4,000 volunteers to restore and maintain neglected areas. With minimal support from the city, UCP’s Homeless Ambassador Program has proven that community-led cleanup and stewardship can keep 70% of cleaned sites from being re-dumped.

UCP is the only organization in Oaklandconducting cleanups of this magnitude near homeless encampments—while also providing essential services to those same residents through consistent outreach and weekly distributions of food, water, and supplies. To date, UCP has served more than 9,800 individuals across Oakland and beyond, and in the past year alone has helped house over 56 people.

The press conference will serve as a transparent conversation with the public and media about what is really happening on the ground. UCP co-founders and team members will answer questions, present firsthand accounts, and speak about the ongoing challenges faced by Oakland’s most vulnerable populations.

“We’ve been out here every week cleaning what others look away from. It’s time to tell the truth about how this crisis has grown and what real community solutions look like. Oakland deserves to know the truth.” – UCP Co-Founders Vincent Ray Williams III & Supriya Golas 

This event is open to the public. UCP welcomes residents, journalists, advocates, and city officials to join in hearing the real story of illegal dumping and the people most affected by it.

About Urban Compassion Project (UCP):
Founded in 2021, the Urban Compassion Project is a community-driven organization fighting illegal dumping and environmental neglect in Oakland. Urban Compassion Project’s mission is to bring health, welfare, and empowerment to those often overlooked, while tackling the environmental and social challenges facing the Bay Area. Since 2021, we’ve cleared over 2,500 tons of trash, mobilized 4,000+ volunteers, and supported 9,800+ people and animals through outreach and distribution programs. We shine a light on urgent issues facing our homeless neighbors while building bridges between housed and homeless communities.

For more information, visit www.urbancompassionproject.org or follow @UrbanCompassionProject on social media.

For additional questions, please reach out to info@urbancompassionproject.org (cc: vincent@urbancompassionproject.org & s.golas@urbancompassionproject.org)