Come out to support James Ramsey at his next court date, a young Black man with severe mental illness held on trumped up charges in Santa Rita. James needs care, not incarceration.

Thursday, February 17
9:30 AM
1225 Fallon Street, Oakland

James Ramsey has a history of severe mental illness who was living unhoused when an incident occurred during which Chinatown Chamber of Commerce President Carl Chan was injured.

Both prosecution and defense agree that mental illness is an important factor in this case. Mr. Ramsey has not received adequate mental health services and support needed for his disabilities throughout his life. Instead, he was funneled to the carceral system and subjected to punishment for incidents that likely stemmed from his mental illness, further traumatizing him. The state, who was responsible for his care, failed him at every turn. And now, the state wants to punish Mr. Ramsey for its failure.

We have heard Mr. Chan’s calls for community safety. All of us want to live in a safe Oakland. We know that addressing the needs of community members like Mr Ramsey before there is a crisis is how we get there. We know that incarceration increases violence and harm in the long run, and this is not a pathway to treatment and recovery or safe neighborhoods.

We propose that Mr. Ramsey be referred to behavioral court and provided with services required to start his process of rehabilitation and healing. The services and support needed by Mr. Ramsey would not be accessible in prison, but rather, prison conditions would likely exacerbate his mental illness.

Moreover, we understand that living without shelter is not conducive to successful treatment of severe mental illness; thus, we recommend that Mr. Ramsey be provided with housing, as well as wraparound services that would support his independent living.

In short, we are clear that the solution to the problem of community safety as well as Mr. Ramsey’s long-term rehabilitation is to ensure that Mr. Ramsey receives the care and services that he needs.

Please come out and demand care and housing, not incarceration for James Ramsey!