Oakland, Calif., declares racism a public health crisis

Oakland City Hall is bathed in red light in a memorial to the people who have died from COVID-19 throughout the country in Oakland, Calif. in January 2021. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Oakland has declared a new public health crisis in the California town: racism.

Last week, members of the Oakland City Council voted without opposition to declare the public health crisis and vow to work on studies and actions that advance racial equity.