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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao Faces Recall Efforts One Year Into Term

A group of Oakland residents, dissatisfied with Mayor Sheng Thao’s approach to combating crime and ensuring public safety, have initiated a recall campaign against her, one year into her term. The recall campaign is being led by Brenda Harbin-Forte, a former Alameda County Superior Court judge, who was removed from the Oakland Police Commission by Thao last year in June.

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Residents have been reported to be “fed up” with Thao’s perceived lack of action in addressing crime and public safety issues in the city, mainly citing the past year’s events with Oakland Police Department (OPD).
Residents have been reported to be “fed up” with Thao’s perceived lack of action in addressing crime and public safety issues in the city, mainly citing the past year’s events with Oakland Police Department (OPD).

By Magaly Muñoz

A group of Oakland residents, dissatisfied with Mayor Sheng Thao’s approach to combating crime and ensuring public safety, have initiated a recall campaign against her, one year into her term.

The recall campaign is being led by Brenda Harbin-Forte, a former Alameda County Superior Court judge, who was removed from the Oakland Police Commission by Thao last year in June.

Residents have been reported to be “fed up” with Thao’s perceived lack of action in addressing crime and public safety issues in the city, mainly citing the past year’s events with Oakland Police Department (OPD).

The notice of intent that was submitted over the weekend asserts that firing OPDs Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong has led to a spike in violent crimes and has created a public safety crisis that has led to “the city’s reputation as one of the most dangerous in America.”

The notice of intent adds that Thao has failed to appoint a new police chief in nearly a year after Armstrong’s dismissal and has also failed to declare a state of emergency in the city which she promised in September to do if a police chief had not been hired by the end of the year.

“Lives have been lost, property destroyed, businesses have shut down, and fear and collective trauma are daily occurrences for Oaklander,” the letter states. “We, the concerned citizens, therefore demand your recall for the sake of our city’s future.”

Armstrong was dismissed in February by Thao over allegations of mishandling officer misconduct cases. In December, the Police Commission submitted his name to Thao to be considered for reinstatement to the position along with two other candidates but the mayor rejected all three candidates and asked the commission to propose new ones delaying hiring a chief until March.

According to end of year OPD reports, all crime increased by 17% from 2022 to 2023; violent crime rose by 21%; robbery by 38%; burglary by 23%; and motor vehicle theft by 45%.

Soon after firing the chief, Thao and her administration also failed to submit an application for crime fighting funds that would’ve given Oakland an estimated $15 million for additional police patrols, squad cars, and automated license plate readers to track down suspected perpetrators of crime.

Thao acknowledged these mistakes in her State of the City address in October, saying that “the buck stops with me” and that her main objective as mayor is to ensure public safety in the community.

In response to the recall efforts, Thao said she wants people to come together and fight for the city they love.

“I have the best job in the world. That’s because every day I have a chance to fight for a safer, more affordable, and more prosperous Oakland,” Thao said in a statement. “I ask all Oaklanders to help me achieve that vision with hope and collaboration and push aside fear and division.”

Her chief of staff, Leigh Hanson, also issued a statement against those attempting to recall the mayor.

“This recall effort is led by losers. Men who ran against her for mayor and lost. I know for a fact that if Mayor Thao had lost the election, she would have conceded gracefully and found a legitimate job that contributed to moving our community forward,” Hanson said.

Hanson added that she believes the Oakland community is “smarter than this” and “will resist the urge to be distracted by a desperate attempt for relevance.”

In an unrelated note, Thao is not the only elected official in the Bay Area facing a recall campaign.  Alameda District Attorney Pamela Price is also under scrutiny, with recall organizers accusing her of being “soft on crime” as theft, robberies and shoplifting have increased over the last year.

Organizers have 160 days to gather signatures from 10%, or about 25,000, registered voters in Oakland to get the recall onto the ballot.

Bay Area

Gov. Newsom Looks Back at 2024 Milestones; Presents Vision for 2025

Newsom opened by recounting his announcement atop the Golden Gate Bridge of $150.4 billion in record-breaking visitor spending. He reflected on signing a bill with singer Demi Lovato to protect young content creators from financial exploitation. He celebrated the Olympic flag transfer ceremony, signifying California’s preparation for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo Courtesy of California Governor’s Office.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Photo Courtesy of California Governor’s Office.

By Joe W. Bowers, California Black Media 

In a recent video address, Gov. Gavin Newsom shared key moments that shaped California in 2024. He emphasized achievements in tourism, technology, public safety, and environmental resilience while underscoring the state’s ability to tackle challenges head-on.

Newsom opened by recounting his announcement atop the Golden Gate Bridge of $150.4 billion in record-breaking visitor spending. He reflected on signing a bill with singer Demi Lovato to protect young content creators from financial exploitation. He celebrated the Olympic flag transfer ceremony, signifying California’s preparation for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Focusing on innovation, Newsom praised NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang for his leadership in advancing generative AI. He showcased the transformation of an abandoned mall into a quantum computing center in L.A. that addresses global challenges.

He also highlighted the ARCHES coalition’s work on green hydrogen, aiming to decarbonize California’s industries.

Newsom emphasized California’s leadership on clean transportation with over 2 million electric vehicles sold and a statewide network of 150,000 public chargers. He spoke about joining Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to celebrate the long-awaited electrification of Caltrain, linking San Francisco to San Jose.

In climate resilience, Newsom spotlighted removing the Klamath Dam, the largest project in U.S. history, restoring salmon migration and tribal lands. He discussed agreements with Italy and Pope Francis to address greenhouse gas emissions and praised the legislature’s action to increase transparency and hold oil companies accountable for gas price spikes.

Turning to health, housing, and education, Newsom outlined progress on Proposition 1 to improve mental health care, legislative efforts to increase housing construction, and the expansion of universal free school meals for all public school students.

Public safety highlights included combating fentanyl trafficking, expanding the California Highway Patrol, and addressing organized retail theft through new legislation.

Newsom also celebrated the state’s balanced budget for the current and upcoming fiscal years. He joked about his detailed budget presentations as his “yearly Super Bowl,” highlighting the importance he places on fiscal responsibility.

The Governor closed by reflecting on 2024 as a year defined by resilience and optimism, crediting California’s ability to navigate polarization and overcome challenges. He emphasized the importance of preserving California’s values of innovation and inclusiveness while continuing to invest in communities, infrastructure, and equity as the state looks ahead to 2025.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of February 12 – 18, 2025

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To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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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.

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Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo.
Rep. Barbara Lee. File photo.

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.

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