Rashi Kesarwani

08Apr 2026 by Kieryn Darkwater

Spring News: Harrison Encampment Litigation Update, Hopkins Street Council Item & More

Event, Homelessness, News, Newsletter, Sidewalks and Streets

Dear Neighbor, Happy Spring! As we enjoy this beautiful time of year in Berkeley, the City Council continues its important fiscal and policy work. In this newsletter, I will cover: The judge's ruling in the Harrison encampment litigation—Berkeley Homeless Union v. City of Berkeley (which has halted the City's attempt to close the encampment since January 2025); Fill you in on a Council item I have co-authored related to paving Hopkins Street with safety features; and Update you on the City Council's work to close a $30 million budget deficit. We also have two events coming up: Holocaust Remembrance Day is this Sun., April 12 (see details further below); and The Fourth Annual Gilman District Street Fair will take place on Sun., April 26 (see details further below); volunteers are…

16Jan 2026 by Kieryn Darkwater

Jan. News: Public Health Alert – Lepto at Harrison Encampments

Homelessness, News, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, I’m writing to you this morning to share an important Public Health Alert from our City’s Public Health Officer issued earlier this week. In and near the Harrison Street encampments, numerous rats and at least two dogs have tested positive for Leptospirosis—a treatable disease that can have severe and potentially fatal impacts to people and dogs who are exposed to infected water or mud. Rats and their urine are the vectors for Leptospirosis. To date, no human infections have been diagnosed. Rats have made conditions unsafe for encampments in the area bounded by San Pablo Avenue, Gilman Street, Codornices Creek and the railroad tracks. The City’s Health Officer Dr. Noemi Doohan strongly recommends that encampment residents move out of the defined area (see map below) and at least…

24Dec 2025 by Kieryn Darkwater

Happy Holidays!

News, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, As we wrap up 2025, I want to wish you and your loved ones a joyful and peaceful holiday season. Serving as your Councilmember is a true honor, and I am constantly inspired by the resilience and spirit of our Berkeley community. Whether you are celebrating Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, or simply enjoying the winter break, I hope your days are filled with warmth and connection. I look forward to continuing our work together in the New Year. Happy Holidays! Warmly, From left, Councilmembers Terry Taplin, Igor Tregub, Mayor Adena Ishii, Berkeley Food Network Executive Director Andrew Crispin, and Councilmembers Rashi Kesarwani and Cecilia Lunaparra at the Mayor's Community Holiday Party in support of Berkeley Food Network. To support their work to address food insecurity in our community, you…

04Nov 2025 by Kieryn Darkwater

REMINDER: Food Assistance During Federal Government Shutdown

News, Newsletter

Dear Neighbor, Because of the ongoing federal government shutdown, CalFresh food assistance benefits, which are funded by the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will lapse Saturday, Nov. 1—unless Congress takes immediate action or the courts intervene. This means that money will not be added at the beginning of the month to EBT cards. If you have unused funds on your EBT card, you can continue to use those funds until they are depleted. For more information, please visit the state's CalFresh FAQ webpage. The California Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program, which provides food benefits to families with pregnancies and children under 5, is not impacted and benefits will continue for WIC recipients. Berkeleyside has prepared a list of resources for those in need of food assistance and those…

23Oct 2025 by Kieryn Darkwater

Oct. News: Possible ICE Deployment in Bay Area, Nov. Special Election & More

Event, News, Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, The latest news reports from this morning suggest that it is "not immediately clear" whether a major federal immigration operation will proceed as planned in the Bay Area. I am sharing below a statement from Mayor Adena Ishii and City Manager Paul Buddenhagen released late yesterday that provides guidance and resources during this uncertain and challenging time. Please take care. Statement from Berkeley Mayor Adena Ishii and City Manager Paul Buddenhagen It has been confirmed that ICE is coming to the Bay Area and is currently mobilizing 100 agents to conduct operations within and around San Francisco, including East Bay cities. We have known that it was only a matter of time before we were faced with this challenge here. The time is now, and we want to…

17Sep 2025 by Kieryn Darkwater

Sept. News: Sanctuary City Ordinance, New Bathrooms & More

Event, News, Newsletter, Sidewalks and Streets

Dear Neighbor, I hope you had an enjoyable summer! The Council has returned from its summer recess, and it was a delight to walk with members of the Berkeley City Council, Mayor Adena Ishii, and Alameda County Supervisor Nikki Fortunato Bas during the Solano Stroll on Sunday. And thank you to the 1300 block of Talbot Avenue for inviting me to your block party later on Sunday. Please know that my calendar is always open for your block party invitations or other community gatherings! As we endure difficult times, it feels especially important to find moments to come together and enjoy each other’s company. If you'd like to come say hello, I'll be holding a Drop-In Meeting: This Sun., Sept. 21 from 4-5 p.m.Picnic tables at James Kenney Park Members…

25Jun 2025 by Kieryn Darkwater

June News: Judge Authorizes Ohlone Encampment Closure & Middle Housing Mtg TONIGHT

Homelessness, Middle Housing, News, Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, I'm writing to you this morning with an update on the Ohlone Park Encampment court case. The judge in the case Berkeley Homeless Union v. City of Berkeley issued an order yesterday afternoon denying the plaintiffs request for a preliminary injunction to prohibit the City’s planned encampment closure of Ohlone Park. Our City Manager now has the court’s clearance to proceed with the encampment closure, and is working to do so as expeditiously as possible. The City must provide new notice (of at least 72 hours) prior to closing the Ohlone encampment and must comply with all of its policies and procedures, including as it relates to the storage of personal belongings. Here is a short summary of the ruling: The court denied the Berkeley Homeless Union’s motion…

25Apr 2025 by Kieryn Darkwater

April News: Middle Housing Mtg Postponed, Ohlone Park Mtg & More

Homelessness, Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, It was uplifting to see so many of you at the Hands Off! protest at the North Berkeley BART Station last Saturday. I felt inspired to stand with you, and I feel confident that our City Council will do everything we can to defend democratic values and human rights in these times of uncertainty and fear. As we call attention to injustices perpetrated by the federal government, I believe we also have to be laser focused on the housing injustice right here in our community that is directly within our power to redress. Over a century ago, our city pioneered exclusionary single-family zoning—explicitly designed to segregate people by race and class. For generations, single-family zoning has imposed artificial scarcity in our residential neighborhoods, gatekeeping our city so that…

11Mar 2025 by Kieryn Darkwater

March News: Homeless Encampments in City Parks

Homelessness, Newsletter

Hi Neighbor, After nearly two months under the new federal administration, I know I share the concerns of many in our community about the public programs and services abruptly halted and government workers let go. When federal funds for public programs were abruptly frozen in late January, our City staff began preparing a report for the Council that itemizes all of our federal funding sources. The City receives a total of about $27 million in direct funding from the federal government, and we must be prepared for possible cuts to federal programs on which our most vulnerable residents rely. Any loss of federal funding will require us to make even tougher choices about how to prioritize our scarce resources. Many of you have written to the Council sharing your concerns…

17Dec 2024 by Kieryn Darkwater

Reminder: Winter News: Encampment Policy Update, N. Berkeley BART Entitlement Issued & More

Homelessness, News, Newsletter, North Berkeley Bart

Hi Neighbor, I want to wish you a joyful holiday season! On the City Council, I’m pleased to welcome Mayor Adena Ishii, new Councilmembers Shoshana O’Keefe (District 5) and Brent Blackaby (District 6), and newly re-elected Councilmembers Terry Taplin (District 2) and Ben Bartlett (District 3). I look forward to working productively and collaboratively with all of my Council colleagues to address District 1 priority issues, particularly homeless encampments, public safety, and street paving. From left, Councilmember Ben Bartlett, Mayor Adena Ishii, Councilmembers Terry Taplin, Shoshana O'Keefe, and Brent Blackaby taking the oath of office. Photo: Eric Panzer In this newsletter: Homeless Encampment Policy Update #2 N. Berkeley BART: Land Use Entitlement Issued! A Call for Civility at Public Meetings Sign Up for Emergency Alerts Homeless Encampment Policy Update #2…

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