The last day of Alliance Metals started off with a line of customers waiting for the gate to open at 8 a.m., like any other day. We spent time with people who recycle by foot, by bike, by truck, people who work in the yard, in the office, all of whom, with every ounce of their energy, strive to make ends meet. Friends who have protected each other and kept the business going for years are now disbanded--and the day ended with sorrow and sadness on the faces of many, particularly Alliance's employees as they closed the open gates one last time. (06:13)
On July 19, 2016 protestors urged the Oakland City Council to offer solutions for an alternative income for recyclers because of the upcoming closure of Alliance Metals, the only source of income for many of them. (03:01)
The West Oakland Youth Center hosted a community screening of Dogtown Redemption with a panel discussion afterwards to address the imminent closure of Alliance Metals. Featuring filmmaker Amir Soltani, Oakland City Council President Lynette Gibson McElhaney, recyclers Oscar Jung and Jason Witt, and former recycler Landon Goodwin. (03:19)
On July 12, 2016 protestors met at the Oakland City Hall to raise their voices against the closure of Alliance Metals, the only source of income for many recyclers. (03:10)
Co-director Amir Soltani talks about the upcoming closure of Alliance Metals at a screening of Dogtown Redemption in West Oakland. (00:56)
Lynette Gibson McElhaney, Oakland City Council President, speaks about the upcoming closure of Alliance Metals at a screening of Dogtown Redemption in West Oakland. (01:47)
Co-director Chihiro Wimbush talks about the recyclers of Dogtown Redemption at a screening and discussion in West Oakland. (00:56)
Recycler Jason Witt talks about what might happen if Alliance Metals closes down. (00:29)
Former recycler Landon Goodwin speaking about changing mindsets during a post-screening discussion. (00:32)
Former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums on how complaints of theft and noise are dehumanizing recyclers. (01:23)
Former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums on the history of West Oakland recycling. (05:02)
Former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums on race and space in America. (03:05)
Former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums on his experiences of integration in West Oakland. (02:01)
Former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums on racial taunts as a child in West Oakland. (05:00)
Former Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums on the crack epidemic. (04:35)
Independent Lens | Dogtown Redemption | Preview | PBS (00:30)
Dogtown Redemption is the story of three recyclers struggling to survive in West Oakland, a neighborhood already decimated by unemployment, addiction, and violence. Their only lifeblood is a controversial recycling center threatened with closure.
Independent Lens | Dogtown Redemption | Former Oakland Minister Now Homeless | PBS (02:38)
In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Dogtown Redemption, we meet Landon Goodwin, an articulate former ordained minister whose life spiraled downward after he became addicted to crack, leading to his family expelling him. Now homeless and subsisting on recycling, he's working to get his life back together.
Independent Lens | Dogtown Redemption | Oakland Homeless Woman was a Punk Rock Drummer | PBS (01:08)
In this excerpt from the Independent Lens documentary Dogtown Redemption, we learn a surprising revelation about Miss Kay, now a homeless woman living on the streets in Oakland, CA, but way back when in happier days a drummer for popular Bay Area "punk polka" band Polkacide.
Independent Lens | Dogtown Redemption | How to Load 800 lbs of Recycling on a Shopping Cart | PBS (01:43)
In this excerpt from the Independent Lens film Dogtown Redemption, a homeless Oakland, CA man named Jason explains how he precariously carries a huge amount of recycling on a makeshift cart, including up to 800 pounds of glass and 200 pounds of plastic all at once, as he covers nearly 15 miles of road on his route.