Activism

Oakland’s Clergy Leaders Say ‘No’ Vote to Recall of Mayor Sheng Thao

“The recall of the mayor is not needed and ill-founded. Oakland does not need chaos. Oakland does not need coal dust in the air,” said Pastor Jim Hopkins of Lake Shore Avenue Baptist Church. The pastor was referring to recall funder and hedge fund partner Phillip Dreyfuss, whose company has several billions of dollars invested in the coal industry at a time when Oakland is resisting the construction of a coal export terminal in the city.

Published

1 year ago

October 28, 2024

Oakland Post

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao thanked more than 100 faith leaders who say a recall is unfair. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

By Post Staff

Local faith leaders spoke out at a press conference this week at the Democratic Party Election Headquarters office in Oakland to express their support for Mayor Sheng Thao.

They also urged Oakland residents to vote “No” on the recall on the Nov. 5 ballot.

The leaders in this interfaith coalition, representing the diversity of Oakland’s religious community, organized the press conference on Oct. 22 to show they are standing united against the recall. Speakers said they were concerned that a successful recall would throw the city and its finances into chaos.

If the recall were successful, the city would have five mayors in three years, creating dysfunction at a time the city desperately needs stable leadership to focus on its budget and continue to make progress on public safety, the leaders emphasized.

“The recall of the mayor is not needed and ill-founded. Oakland does not need chaos. Oakland does not need coal dust in the air,” said Pastor Jim Hopkins of Lake Shore Avenue Baptist Church.

The pastor was referring to recall funder and hedge fund partner Phillip Dreyfuss, whose company has several billions of dollars invested in the coal industry at a time when Oakland is resisting the construction of a coal export terminal in the city.

“I love Oakland, and we need to get behind our leadership. I’m excited we have a mayor who is concerned about the people of Oakland,” said Bishop Greg Payton of St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church in West Oakland.

Said Pastor Joe Smith of Good Hope Baptist Church in East Oakland, “Our homicides are down. Police force not fully staffed. She has the rate down. Black and Brown boys not getting killed. Mayor Thao has done this. United we stand, divided we fall. I’m here to say ‘No’ on the recall. I don’t believe in recalls. We have a good Mayor. Let’s stand with her.”

Speaking at the press conference, Mayor Sheng Thao said she has taken major steps to increase public safety, significantly reducing crime in the city. In addition, Thao added. “In less than two years, I’ve already invested in West Oakland, and in Deep East Oakland, (and) new investments are set to bring billions to the city,” Mayor Thao said

Many community organizations and leaders have stood with the mayor since the “No on the Recall” campaign launched on Oct. 6.

Those opposing the recall include the Alameda County Democratic Party, Rep Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), Sen. Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley), Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson, former Assemblymember Sandré Swanson, Oakland City Councilmember Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb, and 12 of the 16 candidates running for Oakland City Council.

In addition, a range of unions and political organizations have taken a stand against the recall effort, including the Alameda Labor Council, SEIU 1021, IFPTE Local 21, Alameda County Fire Fighters, NorCal Carpenters Union, as well as Oakland Rising Action, APEN (Asian Pacific Environmental Network), John George Democratic Club, Wellstone Democratic Club, the Latino Task Force, and others.