- Kira Rao-Poolla | Staff
- Jan 10, 2025 (dailycal.org)

Beverly Dove, or “Bev-l,” a longtime Berkeley resident and activist, died at the end of December at the age of 77.
She was known for her vibrant personality and commitment to social justice causes, including Palestinian liberation, environmental justice, animal rights and People’s Park activism.
Diana Gwinn-Cirrito first met Dove in the early ’80s. She described a shared love for music and dancing, frequently visiting Ashkenaz on San Pablo and even traveling to Jamaica together for a reggae festival as well as political activism.
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“She really believed in a better world, a peaceful world,” Gwinn-Cirrito said. “She was very much against war, exploitation of the poor and the vulnerable. She was always on the side of the oppressed.”
More recently, as Dove was protesting the barricading of People’s Park, Rico Marisol recalled that she was shoved to the ground and still had scars on her palm months later. In an Instagram post, they characterized Dove as a “freedom fighter” who was “willing to- and did- square up with the police and get arrested for the things she believed in.”
Dove’s longtime friend of 40 years, Jessica Montiel, described as a “pioneer.” She said Dove’s activism began as a student at the Boston Museum school where Dove found one instructor’s presentations “boring,” and when she told him so, he challenged her to do better. So, she carried on a lecture using color images, changing how the institution allowed instructors to present.
Montiel was coming down from the Berkeley hills when she saw Dove on campus, protesting against a biology lab that was conducting animal testing.
“I learned a lot from her about the various things that she was involved in throughout my knowing her, and she was very political,” Montiel said. “I am grateful, because even though it was a challenge in my mind and very overwhelming to hear all this, it was more enlightening than what they were telling me in college.”
Another friend, Taiwo Koyejo, met Dove around 15 years ago when they both moved into the Ashby Lofts. They said in an email that Dove was incredibly kind to the children and “always made them feel loved,” and they would sit outside together and sunbathe.
Marisol added that a GoFundMe has been established to help cover Dove’s burial expenses. Additionally, a vigil will be held at Haste and Telegraph at 6 p.m Saturday, as well as a vegan potluck in her honor on Jan. 19 at 4 p.m at The Long Haul on Shattuck, according to Montiel.
“She was very caring for all things, for animals, people, the environment,” Montield said. “Hopefully all of us will continue her fight.”