Gabriel Thompson

Gabriel Thompson is a journalist and author in Oakland. His most recent book is Chasing the Harvest, an oral history collection from California's fields.

Jose Gurrola

Meet the Millennial Mayor Who Took On Big Oil—and Won Meet the Millennial Mayor Who Took On Big Oil—and Won

Jose Gurrola is just 25, with barely 20,000 constituents, but he’s managed to put California’s powerful oil industry on the defensive.

Jul 12, 2019 / Cities Rising / Gabriel Thompson

northern-california-wildfire

As Toxic Smoke Blankets California, Who Has the Ability to Escape? As Toxic Smoke Blankets California, Who Has the Ability to Escape?

While the wealthy can flee toward cleaner air, the poorest have no choice but to stay put.

Nov 17, 2018 / Gabriel Thompson

‘All We’ve Got Are Protests and People Power’

‘All We’ve Got Are Protests and People Power’ ‘All We’ve Got Are Protests and People Power’

Meet the progressive strike force that saved the ACA—and almost brought down Brett Kavanaugh.

Nov 9, 2018 / Feature / Gabriel Thompson

The Fight Against Brett Kavanaugh Is Just Beginning

The Fight Against Brett Kavanaugh Is Just Beginning The Fight Against Brett Kavanaugh Is Just Beginning

After occupying Senator Chuck Grassley’s office last week, activists vow to keep the uprising going.

Sep 24, 2018 / Gabriel Thompson

Meet the Long-Forgotten Organizer Who Inspired Cesar Chavez to Become an Activist

Meet the Long-Forgotten Organizer Who Inspired Cesar Chavez to Become an Activist Meet the Long-Forgotten Organizer Who Inspired Cesar Chavez to Become an Activist

In 1952, Fred Ross appeared at Chavez’s door. The meeting changed Chavez’s life—and farmworker history.

Mar 31, 2016 / Gabriel Thompson

Illustration by Sho Watanabe

This Is What $15 an Hour Looks Like This Is What $15 an Hour Looks Like

In July, Emeryville, California, passed the highest city-wide minimum wage in the country. Here’s how workers’ lives changed—and didn’t.

Jan 7, 2016 / Cities Rising / Gabriel Thompson

The New Silicon Valley Movement That Is Taking on the Tech Giants

The New Silicon Valley Movement That Is Taking on the Tech Giants The New Silicon Valley Movement That Is Taking on the Tech Giants

In the neighborhood where Cesar Chavez got his start, janitors, cooks and shuttle drivers are organizing to end the area’s inequality epidemic.

Mar 10, 2015 / Gabriel Thompson

Minneapolis Has Long Been Fractured by Racial Inequity. Can a New Mayor Change That?

Minneapolis Has Long Been Fractured by Racial Inequity. Can a New Mayor Change That? Minneapolis Has Long Been Fractured by Racial Inequity. Can a New Mayor Change That?

Mayor Betsy Hodges wants to make Minneapolis live up to its progressive hype.

Sep 3, 2014 / Cities Rising / Gabriel Thompson

Will a Latina Labor Lawyer Replace a Tea Party Congressman in California?

Will a Latina Labor Lawyer Replace a Tea Party Congressman in California? Will a Latina Labor Lawyer Replace a Tea Party Congressman in California?

First, the EMILY’s List-backed Eloise Reyes has to get through the primary.

May 21, 2014 / Feature / Gabriel Thompson

The Workers Who Bring You Black Friday

The Workers Who Bring You Black Friday The Workers Who Bring You Black Friday

My life as a temp in California’s Inland Empire, the belly of the online shopping beast.

Nov 26, 2013 / Feature / Gabriel Thompson

x