Reems, the restaurant with a mural of convicted terrorist and murderer of two young men, Rasmea Odeh, hanging on the wall, seems to be closing down, judging by this post published on their Facebook page.

From the bottom of our hearts, we’d like to thank everyone who has supported us in keeping our humble oakland restaurant operation a force in our community. Today will be our last day open to the public for the foreseeable future.

After much reflection and conversation, we have decided that it is no longer viable or desirable to try to sustain our current model in an economic system that will never allow us to live out our values. Instead we want to use this time as an opportunity to be more radical–to act from a place of love, not fear and panic. The scrambling for dollars just to keep us “in the game” are distractions from the more important work we must do. That is to take care of our own in the absence of government and l confront power to demand change. We need healthcare for all, regardless of employment. We need human rights for all, regardless of status. We need a society with no walls and no cages. And we need redistribution of wealth immediately.

We have no desire for the food industry to return to the way it was. When we rebuild it we must ensure we do so equitably, centering those who have been hurt the most by its exploitation.

So what does this mean for Reem’s Fruitvale? In the next few months we will turn our space into a commissary kitchen providing hundreds of meals a day to those most vulnerable in this pandemic.

We will be able to keep our employees safe and supported through this crisis, envisioning a new path forward together.

Stay tuned for the initiatives we have been working on. We are excited for this new phase!

Reem’s Mission will continue to remain open for lunch with limited hours and also be feeding folks under @sfnewdeal

We are blessed to have the time to refocus our efforts and are inspired daily by our friends in the food industry who are doing the same. Let this be the moment of radical love and change!

For some inspirational reading, check out @engvinny in @foodandwine helping remind us of the roadmap ahead.

#wegotus #centerworkers #healthcareforall #feedthemasses #feelthewarmth #forthepeople #flattenthecurve #safespace #strongcommunities #onward