Alameda County
Niagara Movement Democratic Club Celebrates 50th Anniversary
The Niagara Movement Democratic Club (NMDC) celebrated their 50th Anniversary at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle on Saturday, March 18. The event raised funds for the newly created non-bipartisan Niagara Movement Foundation co-founded by lobbyist-author Virtual T. Murrell the Honorable Elihu Harris, former Oakland mayor, and founding members Sandra Simpson Fontaine, the Honorable Leo Bazile, Anita Williams, Geoffrey Pete and Robert L. Harris.

By Carla Thomas
The Niagara Movement Democratic Club (NMDC) celebrated their 50th Anniversary at Geoffrey’s Inner Circle on Saturday, March 18. The event raised funds for the newly created non-bipartisan Niagara Movement Foundation co-founded by lobbyist-author Virtual T. Murrell the Honorable Elihu Harris, former Oakland mayor, and founding members Sandra Simpson Fontaine, the Honorable Leo Bazile, Anita Williams, Geoffrey Pete and Robert L. Harris.
Bishop Grady L. Harris provided the invocation and the Honorable Donald R. White served as master of ceremonies. The Honorable Dezie Woods-Jones provided a posthumous tribute to Anita Williams, a founding member of the NMDC, whose memorial was held earlier in that day. Founding member of the NMDC Attorney Sandra Simpson-Fontaine also spoke of Anita Williams’ dedication and commitment. “She worked tirelessly to move our agenda forward,” said Simpson-Fontaine.
The event also celebrated the Honorable Willie L. Brown’s 89th birthday. Brown was unable to attend due to covid, but his daughter Susan Brown accepted an award for him. Brown’s daughter also led the audience in singing the Stevie Wonder version of “Happy Birthday.”
Celebrity guests included the legendary Black Panther Party leader, Bobby Seale and actor Richard Gant.

Mayor Sheng Thao congratulated Geoffrey Pete for his years of service as President of the Niagara Movement Democratic Club and as longtime business owner that deserves Oakland’s support. Photo by jonathanfitnessjones.
Virtual Murrell, founder and founding president of the NMDC, provided the organization’s rich history of advocacy, comradery and being a training ground for over a dozen elected officials. Murrell explained how he, in 1973, along with his friends Leo Bazile, AC Taylor and Johnnie S. Harrison formed the organization in honor of W.E.B. DuBois and William Monroe Trotter’s “Niagara Movement” that began in 1905 to end racial discrimination, segregation and establish voting rights, and equal economic and educational opportunities for African Americans.
“You’re standing on the shoulders of those that came before you,” said Murrell, founder and founding president of the Niagara Movement Democratic Club. Murrell went on to explain that Black people were one-third of Oakland’s population, yet not one elected official of Oakland or Alameda County was Black. Murrell’s club made it their mission to encourage, support, and produce Black candidates to run for office. Their movement transformed the landscape of the city and county’s politics, resulting in the elected official representation of Black people in the region’s politics for the next 50 years. Out of the NMDC came political legends like Congresswoman Barbara Lee and the Honorable Elihu Harris, former mayor of Oakland. Harris joked that he trumped the Honorable Willie Brown by becoming a mayor first.
Historically, the NMDC was created at a time when political power and influence were wielded by conservative Republican William F. Knowland, publisher of the Oakland Tribune, and the former Senate Majority Leader. With the NMDC declaring political warfare on the status quo, the organization produced Oakland City Councilmembers; Wilson Riles Jr., Leo Bazile, and Dezie Woods-Jones, Elihu Harris, Mayor of Oakland and State Legislature, Alameda County Board of Supervisors; Mary King and Keith Carson, Alameda County Treasurer Don White, Oakland School Board representatives Sylvester Hodges, Alfreda Abbott, and Carol Tolbert, California Assemblymember Sandre Swanson, Judge Magistrate Geoffrey Carter, BART Board member, Margaret Pryor, and Peralta Community College Trustee William “Bill” Riley.
In addition to the founder and co-founders, founding members of the NMDC included Shirley Douglass, Edmund Atkins, Art Scott, Irene Scott-Murrell, Anita Wiliams, Al Roger’s, Wilson Riles Jr., Edna Tidwell, Esther Tidwell, Walter Edwards, Sandra Simpson Fontaine, Beverly Brown Spelman, Joyce Wilkerson, Barbara Lee, Michael Penn, William “Bill” Riley, Geoffrey Carter, and Elihu Harris.
Alameda County Board of Supervisors Chairman Nate Miley commended the NMDC with a resolution from the Board of Supervisors, and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao presented a “Niagara Day” Resolution.
Activism
Former U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee Reflects on Her Career as She Bids Farewell to Congress
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
Outgoing Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) expressed deep gratitude to her constituents and marked the end of her 26-year career in public service.
Lee, who is succeeded by Lateefah Simon, a civil rights and racial justice activist, praised people in her community for their support. She also highlighted her dedication to promoting peace, justice, and equity.
“Together, we have raised our voices and pushed the envelope for peace, justice and equity. It has been the honor of a lifetime to provide constituent services, deliver federal investments to my district, speak out, and often times be the only one to take tough votes against the tide. I have, and will continue to, fight for working families, the middle class, low income and poor people,” said Lee On her final day in Congress.
Throughout her tenure, Lee earned a reputation as a principled lawmaker known for taking bold and sometimes unpopular stances. One of her defining moments came in 2001 when she was the sole member of Congress to vote against the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in response to the September 11 attacks. This decision led to death threats but ultimately cemented her legacy of courage.
Lee’s leadership extended beyond her district, where she fought for social justice, the rights of low-income communities, and global health initiatives. She was a key figure in pushing for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). She was a vocal critic of the Hyde Amendment, which restricts federal funding for abortion services.
The Congresswoman also faced significant challenges in her career, including a failed Senate bid in 2024. Yet, Lee’s efforts have paved the way for more excellent representation, with more Black women now elected to Congress. She worked closely with organizations like Representation Matters to encourage more women of color to run for office.
Lee says she looks to the future, confident that the next generation of leaders will continue her unfinished work, particularly on issues like military force and reproductive rights.
Activism
OPINION: Gavin’s Ghosts — Governor Attacks Oakland’s Voter-Approved Police Commission
The Coalition for Police Accountability (CPA) hears from Oakland residents that the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) members misrepresent the policy. In October, police arrived during a business invasion and armed robbery but did not pursue fleeing assailants. This was ascribed to the pursuit policy — although chasing robbers with guns where people were beaten is clearly permissible within the policy.

By Oakland Coalition for Police Accountability
Why is Governor Newsom attacking the Oakland Police Commission over a pursuit policy that was written by the Oakland Police Department and later amended by ex-Chief LeRonne Armstrong?
The Governor is demanding more police chases in a broader set of circumstances that he appears not to know. Oakland’s pursuit policy says police cannot engage in high-speed chases unless there is a public safety benefit to catching the driver that outweighs the strong possibility of injury resulting from the chase.
The original policy was written and amended by OPD with no input or approval from the Oakland Police Commission.
The original policy was based on national best practices, written and implemented by former Police Chief Sean Whent. In 2022, after two high-speed police chases resulted in the deaths of two bystanders, then-Chief LeRonne Armstrong amended it to our current policy.
Most recently, the Oakland City Council requested the Police Commission review the policy even though it is not in their purview. After a town hall, and a review of research and comparable policies, the Commission supported OPD’s current policy.
The Coalition for Police Accountability (CPA) hears from Oakland residents that the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA) members misrepresent the policy. In October, police arrived during a business invasion and armed robbery but did not pursue fleeing assailants. This was ascribed to the pursuit policy — although chasing robbers with guns where people were beaten is clearly permissible within the policy.
Newsom’s insertion of himself into local politics amplifies the misinformation from OPOA and other opponents of police accountability. This deceit also distracts the community from focusing on the important issue of police overtime, a major driver of Oakland’s budget crisis.
Why is OPOA misrepresenting the role of the Police Commission to the public and attacking Armstrong’s policy?
Vilifying the commission is the wrong target, dishonest and reflects their real opposition to oversight and constitutional policing.
OPOA has manufactured this crisis by not following the current policy and signaling to criminals that they will not do their job. OPD does not have a “no chase” policy.
If OPOA is now concerned that criminals believe there is a “no chase” policy, then OPOA only has itself to blame. What other city workers are permitted to publicly misrepresent the city policy that they work under?
CPA stands with the 83% of the Oakland voters who created a civilian police commission. Despite improvements and reductions in the use of excessive force, the Oakland Police Department continues to have scandals and coverups, which is why they remain under federal oversight.
There may be changes to the pursuit policy that are worth considering, but it is harder to have that conversation when the impact and actual policy are being misrepresented.
The Coalition for Police Accountability condemns these disingenuous attacks against the Commission. If the Governor gets his demand for more high-speed chases it will result in more injuries and deaths on our streets.
Should we call these deaths Gavin’s Ghosts?
Activism
Gov. Newsom Demands Oakland Police Commission Adopt Police Pursuit Policy Allowing More High-Speed Chases
CHP’s involvement in Oakland policing over the past year has resulted in more than 1,400 arrests, representing 30% of the 4700 of the arrests made by the entire Oakland Police Department in 2023. Aligning himself with the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA), Newsom called the Oakland Police Commission irresponsible in their duty to the safety of Oakland residents because they declined to change the pursuit policy when tasked to do so by the Oakland City Council:

By Post Staff
At a press conference on Dec. 27, Governor Gavin Newsom gave an ultimatum to the City of Oakland. He demanded the city change its current police pursuit policy or risk losing current support from the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
“We need to see some commensurate support and reforms and changes as it relates to policing here in Oakland in order to consider extending this state subsidized partnership,” he said. “We specifically are going to need to see changes in the pursuit policy in Oakland.”
CHP’s involvement in Oakland policing over the past year has resulted in more than 1,400 arrests, representing 30% of the 4700 of the arrests made by the entire Oakland Police Department in 2023.
Aligning himself with the Oakland Police Officers Association (OPOA), Newsom called the Oakland Police Commission irresponsible in their duty to the safety of Oakland residents because they declined to change the pursuit policy when tasked to do so by the Oakland City Council:
“In July, I wrote a letter to the police commission. I wrote a letter to the city council. I wrote a letter to local leaders and the mayor at the time requesting some common sense, not going back to an extreme,” he said.
“We’re not looking for an old binary here. We’re trying to take best practices across the state and, for that matter, across the nation. It’s been a decade since that policy was reverted, and [we asked them] to update it. In September the police commission had that opportunity to do so, and they decided not to do it,” he said.
CHP Deputy Commissioner Ezery Beauchamp said, “Criminals are fully aware that when the lights come on in certain communities and municipalities, the police are not allowed to chase them. We have had CHP officers who pursue individuals and, upon arresting them, have had the criminals tell us they didn’t think we were allowed to chase them. This type of situation only benefits the criminals; it does not benefit the people that are being victimized here in California by crime.”
Over the past year, CHP conducted 500 chases. In contrast, the Oakland Police Department, with a much larger patrol force than CHP, conducted about 65.
In the public meeting of the police commission on Sept. 19, 2024, 100 residents of Oakland implored the commission to revise restrictions and restore police chase capabilities. They highlighted to the commission that “Oakland’s businesses are being targeted almost on a daily basis and we need to help our small business owners….it is a plea to help our city thrive.”
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