Nine people transported to medical facilities for evaluation; large crane needed closes two Hwy 24 eastbound lanes; line between Walnut Creek and Rockridge Stations may not reopen by Tuesday morning

By Allen D. Payton

A partial derailment of a BART train between the Orinda and Lafayette stations that occurred shortly after 9:00 AM on Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, just outside the Orinda station, stopped service on the Antioch line between Rockridge and Walnut Creek stations. A bus bridge provided by AC Transit is in place providing full bus service between Rockridge and Walnut Creek in both directions. Buses will make all station stops. Yellow line riders should expect major delays all day. Trains are turning around Rockridge and Walnut Creek. No other BART lines are impacted.

BART has learned from first responders that nine people were transported to medical facilities for evaluation.

BART Director Deb Allen, who was on the scene, explained what happened.

“The actual cause has not been determined,” she said. “We have fiber optic cables that run under the right-of-way. There’s an interlocking that has to change directions when a train comes out of the Orinda Station. The operator made an announcement that OCC (Operations Control Center) told the operator he had to get out of the train and manually change the interlocking. He does that then gets back in the train and starts moving the train forward. It was fortunate that it was moving from a dead stop. After the interlocking the train switched to the wrong track which resulted in the partial derailment. What caused it is under investigation.”

5:15 PM Update: Two inside eastbound lanes of Hwy 24 east of Orinda are closed for the crane to remove the derailed 65,000 lb. BART car.

4:40 PM Update: BART spokesman Jim Allison held a press conference in the Orinda Station parking lot providing an update to the progress on the train fire and partial derailment. As he was speaking, a Bigge company crane arrived to move the derailed BART car. The operation should take about six hours, Allison said. But he couldn’t say if there will be BART service on the Antioch line in either direction between Walnut Creek and Rockridge Stations Tuesday morning. If not, hopefully bus service will continue. 

In response to a reporter’s question, Allison said there had been upgrades to the interlocking. BART made major trackway repairs on the Yellow Line, which is the busiest in the BART system. Over Presidents Day weekend, February 18-20, 2023, BART crews worked around the clock to replace 7,350 feet of worn rail between the Rockridge and Lafayette stations.

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From BART – Rolling Updates Based on Information we have:

3:15pm Update: BART is currently working with Caltrans to close two lanes of Eastbound Highway 24 within in the next hour for a large crane that will position the incident BART train back in place. We do not have an ETA on how long it will take but will provide frequent updates on the process.

2pm Update: The derailment occurred at an interlocking located between the Orinda and Lafayette BART stations shortly after 9am. Just prior to the derailment, the train operator was instructed by the Operations Control Center to manually align the route at the interlocking because a signaling issue prevented the computer from doing it. This procedure is not uncommon and train operators are trained to manually align routes. The operator then manually moved the train when it derailed. The train was not under automatic train control. The details into what happened are under investigation.

A large crane will be needed to get the incident train back in place on the tracks. This crane will be positioned on Highway 24 eastbound. Two highway lanes will be closed for this. The train will then be moved to a yard and track inspections and any repairs will need to take place.

The California Public Utilities Commission was notified and their staff were on scene.

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12:30pm Update (Bus Bridge Available): A bus bridge provided by AC Transit is now in place providing full bus service between Rockridge and Walnut Creek in both directions. Buses will make all station stops. 

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Noon update (injury update and correction): Nine people were transported to medical facilities for evaluation following this incident. Based on the initial report from first responders there were no major injuries. BART Police will be interviewing all people who were transported for evaluation. A correction has been made below.

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11:15am update: BART has powered off the rails between Rockridge and Walnut Creek stations. All passengers that were on board trains in that section of track have been off-boarded. BART is working with partner bus agencies to establish a bus bridge but it is not yet in place. 

Only the Yellow line (between Walnut Creek and Rockridge is impacted). All other lines are running. 

The Official BART App offers customized in-app notifications about BART service and announcements using the official BART app. Riders can personalize what type of information they get through the app based on when and where they ride BART and what information they care most about.

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10:15am Update: Shortly after 9am on Monday, January 1, 2024, an east bound Yellow line train partially derailed between Orinda and Lafayette stations just outside the Orinda station.

Passengers were safely evacuated from the train and were escorted to Orinda Station by BART personnel. Nine people were transported to medical facilities for evaluation*. Based on the initial reports from first responders there were no major injuries. BART Police will interview all people who were transported for evaluation to get an update. 

Two cars were reported to be on fire with smoke and the Orinda Fire Department responded and extinguished the flames.

The Orinda and Lafayette BART stations were closed and we are advising Yellow line riders to seek alternative transportation at this time. There is no train service between Rockridge and Walnut Creek. There is currently no available bus bridge but staff is working to see if partner bus agencies are available. 

BART has extra staff and BART Police at Orinda and Lafayette stations to help. 

Other BART lines are not impacted.

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9:28am Service Advisory posted: There is a major delay on the Antioch Line in the Antioch and SFO directions due to an equipment problem on a train between Orinda and Lafayette stations. Please seek alternate means of transportation.

9:21am Service Advisory posted: There is a major delay on the Antioch Line in the Antioch and SFO directions due to an equipment problem on a train.

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*An earlier update said there were no reported injuries, however BART has learned from first responders that nine people were transported to medical facilities for evaluation. 

BART Advisories are available via SMS text, email, at the top of bart.gov, on the BART app, and on X (Twitter) at @SFBARTalert, the main @SFBART account is also providing updates.

Check back later for any updates to this report.

By BART Communications

2023 has been a big year for BART as we laid the critical groundwork toward a new vision and a better future. It’s a future that features a cleaner, safer, easier-to-use BART that prioritizes all riders – and it’s right around the corner. 

Here are 23 things BART is proud of this year. 

We understood travel patterns were changing…so we changed with them. 

1. BART listened to riders clamoring for more comprehensive service outside 9-to-5 work hours. We increased service during nights and weekends, where ridership is growing fastest. From weekend sporting events to evening concerts, BART is dedicated to being the safest, fastest, most reliable way to get where you need to go for fun.  

We made historic updates to modernize our system.

 2. We are now running exclusively new trains as part of the base schedule.  

3. We migrated to 100% digital payments, eliminating paper ticket waste, and paving the way for our new state-of-the-art fare gates that will bolster ridership, revenue, and rider safety in 2024. 

4. We rolled out the first gates to the public at West Oakland Station this week, ending the year with yet another upgrade to BART’s public safety infrastructure. 

We doubled down on safety and cleaning. 

5. We released our Safe & Clean Plan to show the progress we have made in making our system cleaner, safer, and more reliable.  

6. Customer on-time performance is at 92%.

7. We doubled the police presence in the system, and we won awards for using unarmed Ambassadors and Crisis Intervention Specialists to increase staff presence in our system and help people in need. 

8. We discontinued the disruptive fare inspections during the morning commute at Embarcadero Station and re-deployed the fare inspectors to ride trains and inspect Clipper cards at more stations. 

9. We started running shorter trains to enhance safety because data shows without a doubt that active spaces are safer spaces. 

10. We launched our “Let’s Talk About Us” campaign about domestic violence and Phase II of our Not One More Girl initiative addressing sexual harassment. We believe using art to change a culture of violence and building community partnerships to make BART safer is important. 

11. We doubled the rate of deep cleaning train cars, and we increased the pressure washing of stations.

We made stations more welcoming. 

12. We made it easier to pay for parking with the new Tap-and-Go feature on the Official BART Mobile App that allows customers to pay for parking with just one tap. 

13. We reopened newly remodeled all-gender restrooms at Embarcadero and Downtown Berkeley stations. We now have six open underground restrooms. 345,000 people used these attended, clean, and safe restrooms in 2023. 

14. We deployed a comprehensive strategy to clean up Civic Center, resulting in a dramatically improved station experience from previous years.   

15. We now have ten brand-new escalators in downtown San Francisco and six new canopies along Market Street.

16. We’re increasing the discount for low-income riders from 20% to 50% with the Clipper START program beginning January 1, 2024.  

We advanced our efforts to build housing on our property. 

17. BART was proud to celebrate the openings of three transit-oriented development projects – Gateway at Millbrae Station, Waymark at Walnut Creek, and Kapuso Upper Yard at Balboa Park, creating over 1,100 new homes, including over 200 new affordable homes.  

18. We advanced two additional projects by signing lease options with our selected developers at West Oakland and Phase I at Lake Merritt. These will bring nearly 1,200 new homes, including more than 400 affordable homes for riders who need them most. 

We focused on responsible long-term planning to secure a thriving BART today and long into the future. 

19. We delivered a balanced budget during the most difficult financial time in the history of American public transit. The Grants team secured nearly $400 million of funds in 2023 to help pay for improvements and reinvestment within the BART system. 

20. We welcomed our new Inspector General and nearly tripled the office’s budget so it can expand and perform even more audits and investigations to identify waste, fraud, and abuse and ensure we are maximizing our efficiency.  

21. And most impactful of all, we successfully advocated to get financial assistance from the state budget that immediately averted an impending fiscal cliff. BART stands to receive 45% of the region’s allocation and we will continue to build the case for long overdue investment.   

We got to know our riders and celebrated transit with our biggest fans. 

22. From our book club to new anime mascots, we activated our stations and trains with fun events to welcome people back to BART.  

We also haven’t lost sight of the future. 

23. The Link21 program was awarded $11.3 million in project development funds from the state, reaffirming the critical role of our efforts to build a second train crossing between Oakland and San Francisco in helping the State achieve their State Rail Plan vision for Northern California. Link21 launched its first 18-member, community-based Equity Advisory Council to advise program on priority population concerns, including anti-displacement, connectivity, access, and service needs.

BART remains the best and the safest way to travel the Bay Area.  

We are proud of what we accomplished in 2023 – from investments in public safety, modernizing our trains and schedules, improving infrastructure, increasing equity, and working toward a secure fiscal future. But we know there’s always more to be done. We can’t wait to show riders what’s in store in 2024 and beyond as we continue driving our vision for the future of Bay Area public transit. 

SACRAMENTO, Calif.— California State Parks announced Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, $41.9 million in grant funding to support the diversity of California’s park needs. Under “Round Four” of the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program, the state of California is delivering new park access to an additional eight communities across the state.

To date, the Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program has provided approximately $1.2 billion to California’s communities. Round Four received the highest amount requested in State Parks’ nearly 50-year history of grant administration.

“Having access to outdoor spaces is critical for all Californians and these projects will contribute to the quality of life for many people who seek local parks to improve their physical, mental and social well-being,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “State Parks is incredibly grateful to all the organizations who applied for grant funding this round.”

The eight awarded grant projects are:

Fresno County

• Reedley: City of Reedley, Camacho Park Project: $4,049,992 to construct a new walking path, group picnic area, restroom, signage, and public art. Renovate three existing baseball/softball fields, existing restroom/storage/concession stand, and landscaping and lighting throughout the park.

Kern County

• Bakersfield: County of Kern, Potomac Park Neighborhood Project: $7,384,000 to construct a new soccer field with lighting, splash pad with shade, dog park, basketball court with lighting, three shade structures over existing picnic tables, walkways with lighting, parking lot with lighting, and restroom. Renovate the existing group picnic pavilion, basketball court with lighting, inclusive playground with lighting, and landscaping throughout the park.

Los Angeles County

• Hawthorne: Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, Zela Davis Park Renovation: $963,060 to construct a new playground with shade, basketball court, picnic area with shade, walking path and hardscape elements, exercise equipment, public art, restroom building, and landscaping and lighting throughout the park.
• Los Angeles: Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, Jefferson Park Project: $5,800,000 to create a new park which will include a new playground with shade, sand and water play area, picnic area with shade, exercise area, public art, skate spot, walking path, and lighting and landscaping throughout the park.
• Paramount: City of Paramount, Paramount Park Community Center Expansion: $7,372,213 to construct a new expansion of an overused Center’s Senior Center and renovate existing building spaces to create dedicated senior activity spaces. The expansion and renovations would include fitness, music, craft, billiards, card, and conference rooms, two screened outdoor lounge areas, reconfiguration of the stage area to make it fully accessible and viewable from the auditorium/dining space, and installation of landscaping along the exterior of the center.

Sacramento County

• Sacramento: Southgate R.P.D., Jack N. Sheldon Park & Florin Creek Trail: $8,500,000 to acquire approximately 8.77 acres and construct a new dog park with lighting, disc golf course, basketball court, exercise equipment stations, four pickleball courts with lighting, gazebo and BBQ area, practice wall, playground, soccer field with lighting, multiuse trails, informal trails, electric vehicle charging stations, ping-pong with shade cover, educational arboretum, pathways with lighting, two shade structures with picnic tables, public art, and lighting and landscaping throughout the park. Renovate six tennis courts with lighting, a multiuse trail, playground, soccer field and parking with lighting.

San Joaquin County

• Stockton: City of Stockton, Van Buskirk Park Renovation: $7,016,086 to construct a new skate park, two full-size basketball courts, and BMX/Bike Trails with lighting and landscaping.

Yolo County

• Knight’s Landing: County of Yolo, Knights Landing Community Park: $814,649 to create a new park which will include a new soccer field, little league/softball field, full-size basketball court, ball wall, children’s playground, perimeter 6’ wide walking/jogging path, shaded picnic and BBQ area, open natural grass area, parking lot, plaza area with picnic tables, shade trees, and farmers market/food truck areas for community gathering space. Renovate the existing restroom.

On March 21, 2021, California State Parks’ Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) received $2.42 billion in grant requests for Round 4 of the Statewide Park Program. The department was able to award $548.3 million to projects throughout California; however, approximately, $1.87 billion in requests were left unfunded. An additional appropriation of $41.9 million was provided through the 2023/2024 State Budget. This additional funding is now being awarded to unfunded Round 4 applications.

Funding for the grant program was first made available through Proposition 84 (2006 Bond Act) Sustainable Communities and Climate Change Reduction. Proposition 68 (2018 Bond Act) and additional general fund money continue this program’s legacy.

Since 2000, California State Parks’ OGALS has administered more than $3 billion in local assistance grants from a variety of funding sources. The funding has established indoor and outdoor recreation in every corner of the state, built trails, acquired and restored sensitive habitat, built natural and cultural interpretative facilities, and fostered outdoor natural experiences for thousands of children, youth and families. Approximately 8,000 California parks have been created or improved through these grant programs. To view previous park projects created through OGALS, visit this link.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, and the programs supported by its Office of Historic Preservation and divisions of Boating and Waterways and Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation. Learn more at parks.ca.gov.

Joins Tri Delta Transit’s Executive Director to grow ridership, improve experience

California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin last week appointed Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s Chief Deputy Executive Director Alix Bockelman to the state’s Transit Transformation Task Force, which will be charged with developing policy recommendations to grow transit ridership, improve the transit experience for riders and address long-term operational funding needs throughout California.

The 25-member task force represents state government, local agencies, academic institutions and advocacy organizations. Bockelman will be joined by other Bay Area representatives, including the executive directors of Eastern Contra Costa Transit Authority (ECCTA/Tri Delta Transit), Napa Valley Transportation (NVTA/Vine Transit), the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and the San Francisco Bay Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA/SF Bay Ferry), as well as policy directors from Seamless Bay Area, SPUR and the Bay Area Council. Review the complete roster of task force appointees in the CalSTA news release(link is external).

Established by Senate Bill 125 and signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in the transit recovery package as part of the 2023-24 state budget, the task force will kick off with a virtual meeting on Dec. 19 and then will meet in person every two months beginning in Feb. 2024. Agendas, meeting materials and other task force information will be available on the CalSTA website’s Senate Bill 125 Transit Program page(link is external).

CalSTA will prepare a report of findings and policy recommendations based on the task force’s efforts and submit it to the Legislature by October 2025.

BART is helping lower-income riders pay their fare by increasing its Clipper START means-based fare discount from 20% to 50%, beginning Monday, Jan. 1, 2024. This means that Clipper START users will pay half the regular BART fare. 

Clipper START, a pilot program facilitated by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, offers the discount for Bay Area residents ages 19 to 64 whose incomes are less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Clipper START is accepted by more than 20 regional transit operators. Those who qualify can apply for the program here. 

BART offers multiple fare discounts in addition to Clipper START, including discounts for youth (50% off with a Youth Clipper card), seniors (62.5% off with a Senior Clipper card), passengers under 65 with qualifying disabilities (62.5% off with an RTC Clipper card ), and a High-Value Discount (adult Clipper users who buy $45 or $60 Clipper cards when autoloadis set up get $48 and $64 worth of value, or a 6.25% discount). 

Marcus Ervin arrested 12 times since March 2021

By San Francisco Police Department

On December 21, 2023, at approximately 11:00 p.m., SFPD officers from Tenderloin Station responded to a business located on the 200 block of Ellis Street regarding an armed robbery that just occurred. Officers responded to the robbery and observed a suspect who matched the description running from the scene. Officers attempted to detain the suspect to no avail at which time a foot pursuit ensued. Officers were able to apprehend the male after a brief struggle. Upon searching the suspect officers seized a loaded firearm from his person. 

During the arrest a hostile crowd formed around the officers and suspect. Officers were able to transport the suspect to a secure location for their safety and the safety of the suspect. Officers on scene also detained a female who had interfered with the investigation. She identified herself involved with the suspect. The female resisted arrest and spat on the officers during the incident.

The investigation revealed the suspect wore a balaclava, jumped over the counter, and brandished a firearm while he made his demands before fleeing on foot with U.S. currency that he stole. Through the course of the investigation officers developed probable cause to arrest both the male and female. 

The male suspect, 34 year-old Marcus Khalant Ervin of Antioch, CA was charged with robbery (211 1st PC), possession of concealed firearm (25400(A)(2) PC), possession of a loaded firearm to commit a felony (25800(A) PC), possession of concealed firearm in public (25850(A) PC), prohibited person to possess a firearm (29825(B) PC), convicted person in possession of firearm (29900(A) PC), convicted person in possession of ammunition (30305(A) PC), exhibiting a deadly weapon (417 PC), resisting arrest (148(a)(1) PC). 

The female suspect, 46-year-old Hailia Hayes of San Francisco was charged with battery on a police officer (243(b) PC) and resisting arrest (148 (a)(1) PC). 

UPDATE: According to a report by SFGate.com, police said, during the arrest, a hostile, antagonistic crowd formed around the officers who chased down the armed robbery suspect. “Officers were able to transport the man to a secure location for their own safety and the safety of the suspect.”

While arrests have been made, these incidents remain open and active investigations. Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 1-415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD. You may remain anonymous. SFPD Case# 230892344 

According to localcrimenews.com, which lists his middle  name as Khlani, Ervin has been arrested 12 times since March 2021 by multiple agencies including Oakland PD, San Francisco PD, Alameda County Sheriff’s Department and Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Department for a variety of gun and drug crimes, assault with a deadly weapon – no firearm, likely to cause great bodily injury of a peace officer or fireman, hit-and-run resulting in an injury, and evading police with wanton disregard for safety.

According to the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department, he is being held without bail and has a court appearance on Jan. 10, 2024.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

“As California’s chief elections officer…I must place the sanctity of these elections above partisan politics.” – Secretary of State Shirley Weber

Issues list of candidates including the former president but leaves option open pending any decision by the U.S. Supreme Court

By Allen D. Payton

Sacramento, CA – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D. responded on Friday, Dec. 22 to the letter from California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis requesting the removal of former President Donald Trump from California’s 2024 presidential primary ballot. (See related article)

In her letter, Weber reinforced that, because this is an issue of particular concern to the public, she is obligated to address it within legal parameters and in the best interests of all California voters.

“It is incumbent upon my office to ensure that any action undertaken regarding any candidate’s inclusion or omission from our ballots be grounded firmly in the laws and processes in place in California and our Constitution,” she wrote.

“As California’s chief elections officer, I am a steward of free and fair elections and the democratic process. I must place the sanctity of these elections above partisan politics,” Weber continued. “Removing a candidate from the ballot under Section Three of the Fourteenth Amendment is not something my office takes lightly and is not as simple as the requirement be at least 35 years old to be president.”

“I am guided by my commitment to follow the rule of law,” she added.

While Trump is on the March 5 primary election ballot, Weber concluded her letter with, “My office will continue to assess all our options, including those that may arise as a result of any action taken by the United States Supreme Court or other changing circumstances.”

The full text of her response letter can be found here. 

On Thursday, Dec. 28, Weber issued the Certified List of Candidates for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary Election which included Trump as one of the nine Republicans on the state’s primary ballot. The list also includes eight Democrats, with President Biden at the top of the alphabetical list.

The list of presidential candidates includes three Peace and Freedom party candidates, with Cornel West the most well-known among them, as well as one candidate each from the American Independent Party, Green Party and Libertarian Party.

Independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s name will not appear on the state’s presidential primary ballot. When asked the reason his campaign explained, “Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is running as an independent candidate for the presidency and therefore will not be participating in any primary elections, including the California March 5 Presidential Primary. As an independent, he will be working towards securing a place on the ballot for the general election in November 2024 by collecting the necessary signatures and meeting state requirements.”

Nationwide, community art project, to raise awareness of gunfire, remember victims

Public invited to participate Jan. 14

By Lisa Dell’Anno

The Contra Costa Library system is showcasing the Soul Box Project, a nationwide, community art project, to raise awareness about the scale of gunfire in the U.S. The project displays thousands of Soul Boxes in public spaces to illustrate the number of victims of gun violence, defense, accidents and suicides.

Every day, Americans must confront the impact of gun violence in their communities. The statistics are mind-numbing: gunfire in 2022 alone killed over 44,000 people in the U.S.  In an average year, 3,253 people die and 7,293 are wounded by guns in California.  (state’s statistics: EveryStat.org)

Soul Boxes can bring solace to individuals and encourage sharing and healing within our community.  A box-making gathering is scheduled to honor Martin Luther King, and to make boxes to honor lives lost to gunfire in Antioch and elsewhere. Anybody can make a Soul Box and have it included in the display.

The Antioch Library showcase installation will include over 1,000 origami Soul Boxes, hand-folded and personalized. Each 3-inch-by-3-inch Soul Box holds space for a gunfire victim with a name, an image or a message of protest or hope. Admission is free and open to the public.

WHEN: Showcase exhibit can be seen during Library open hours during the month of January.

MLK box-making gathering will be Sunday, January 14, 2:00 – 4:00 in the Library Community Room.

Visitors can fold a Soul Box and add it to the exhibit. 

To make a Soul Box: download folding instructions and watch an instructional video.

WHERE: Antioch Library, 501 W. 18th Street, Antioch

Artist Leslie Lee, from Portland, Oregon, created the Soul Box Project after the mass shooting in Las Vegas in October 2017. It became a nationwide community art project designed to reveal the growing number of gunfire victims. The Project displays thousands of Soul Boxes in public spaces, illustrating the staggering number of victims of gunfire violence, defense, accidents and suicides. By raising awareness of the number of victims, the Project aims to empower people to choose actions regarding responsible gun use that reflect their values, priorities and beliefs. These actions may span a wide range – gun safety, education, legislation, mental health. Together those actions will help cause a shift in our nation’s culture. 

The Project displayed 200,000 Soul Boxes on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 2021. The exhibit, titled This Loss We Carry, vividly illustrated the staggering number of U.S. victims of gunfire violence, defense, accidents, and suicides in less than 3 years.

Portions of the D.C. exhibit are now being distributed – by request and free of charge – to any individual, group or organization who can use this dramatic visual to bolster their work to end gun violence. View a video clip about the Soul Box Project.

For more information visit SoulBoxProject.org.

Dell’Anno is a former leader in the Diablo Valley chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and now volunteers with The Soul Box Project.