The Oak Park Story

Directed by Valerie Soe

This documentary tells the story of a broad, multi-ethnic coalition--undocumented residents from Mexico, a European American minister, Cambodian refugees who had survived the Killing Fields, city officials, college students and others--at the Oak Park apartments in Oakland, CA who in 2000 won an historic settlement of almost one million dollars against their landlord, one of the worst of the "dirty dozen" of landlords in Oakland. Not only did this coalition win monetary damages for forty-four households, but they also forced the landlord to sell the building to two non-profit organizations. Since that time, the tenants have moved into brand new apartments that are permanently affordable, The Oak Park Story traces the stories of this coalition of activists and profiles immigrants overcoming tremendous odds, both here and in their native countries.