Dan

Trailblazing Oakland Attorney Dan Siegel, Catalyst of Civil Rights Activism, Passes at 79

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OAKLAND, Calif. — Dan Siegel, a prominent civil rights attorney and a key figure in Berkeley’s activism history, passed away on July 2 after battling cancer. He was 79 years old. Siegel was a central player during the landmark “Bloody Thursday” protest at People’s Park in 1969, where he famously rallied thousands of demonstrators to reclaim the park, an event that resulted in tragic clashes with law enforcement. Growing up in a working-class family in The Bronx, New York, Siegel’s path to activism began early, shaped by a diverse upbringing. He later attended Hamilton College, … Read more

Progressive Champion and Lifelong Activist Dan Rupli Passes Away at 82 After Impactful Political Legacy

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Columbia, Md. — Dan Rupli, a fervent progressive champion and committed advocate for civil rights, has died due to complications from a fall and dementia at the age of 82. Known for his relentless pursuit of political and social justice, Rupli’s career spanned several decades, featuring stints as a U.S. congressional candidate, a legal adviser, and a participant in President Bill Clinton’s trade missions. Rupli’s political endeavors began in earnest in 1976 when he challenged incumbent Rep. Goodloe Byron in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District. Representing a more liberal stance against Byron, a conservative Democrat, Rupli … Read more