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Pressure Rises as More People Call on Mayor Sheng Thao to Resign from Office

The Oakland Police Officers Association is the newest set of upset residents calling on Mayor Sheng Thao to resign from office because of her alleged mismanagement of the city. Thao is already facing a recall election that will take place this November. Opponents have said on numerous occasions that they would rather she resign than have to go through the process of an election.

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Mayor-Elect Sheng Thao. Photo courtesy of Sheng Thao.
Mayor Sheng Thao

By Magaly Muñoz

The Oakland Police Officers Association is the newest set of upset residents calling on Mayor Sheng Thao to resign from office because of her alleged mismanagement of the city.

Thao is already facing a recall election that will take place this November. Opponents have said on numerous occasions that they would rather she resign than have to go through the process of an election.

OPOA’s executive team sent Thao a lengthy letter Monday citing all the failures she’s had under her administration, with lack of police staffing being the No. 1 problem.

“Every day you are in office, Oakland is less safe. Your administration has turned Oakland into an international embarrassment,” the letter reads.

Because of budget cuts, the Oakland Police Department only has enough funding for 678 sworn officers, down from 803 officers a few years ago.

OPOA said the Oakland Coliseum sale that is intended to save Oakland from its budget crisis is not a guarantee and they fear what will happen if the funds do not come through as promised by city officials and developers.

The letter said City Councilmembers Nikki Fortunato-Bas, Rebecca Kaplan, Carroll Fife and Dan Kalb are equally to blame for passing a budget that relied heavily on funds that may not be seen.

According to OPOA Vice President Timothy Dolan, nine people were shot over a 30-hour time period last weekend. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to manage the number of 911 calls they receive and who they can send out to respond to crimes.

Dolan said the department was up to 250 calls when he started his shift over the weekend.

OPOA is calling for Thao to resign by Aug. 9, the last day potential candidates can file paperwork to run for mayor.

OPOA President Huy Nguyen said her resignation could “save millions” that could then be invested into hiring more police officers. He said there needs to be at least 1,000 officers on staff in order to fully function.

According to a memo by the City Clerk’s office, the recall election for Thao, which is being consolidated with the November general election, will cost the city up to $1.2 million.

Dolan said there are 105 officers a day over three shifts patrolling the city, meaning only 35 officers are on the streets at any given moment. Three hundred officers on patrol a day is the minimum in order to answer more calls and reports, OPOA staff said.

Nguyen said he’s heard directly from residents that they fear leaving their homes or work because they do not want to be the next victims of crimes. He added that members of the association are also expressing worry over the lack of staffing and the work that is quickly building up.

Nguyen also criticized the police crime data that Thao uses to show that crime has drastically gone down since last year. He said property crimes and crimes that are reported online are backlogged almost four months, so the data is not accurate to the total picture Thao is trying to paint.

But OPOA are not the only ones turning up the heat on forcing Thao out of office.

A recent survey of Oakland voters shows that 73% of Oakland voters say the city is on the wrong track, 66% disapprove of the mayor’s job performance, and 65% disapprove of the job performance of the City Council.

Oakland NAACP President Cynthia Adams used this data in a recent press release to “call upon voters of Oakland to come together and elect leaders who will focus on ending the rampant crime that is devouring our city.”

Adams has been vocal about wanting Thao out of office, blaming her for a lack of a permanent police chief for a year and the rise in crime.

“It is time to clean house. We must rid Oakland of elected officials who enable criminality by voting to defund or reduce funding for public safety!” Adams said.

Recall group Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao doubled down on their calls for the mayor’s resignation following OPOA’s announcement.

“Every day that Mayor Thao remains in office, Oakland’s safety diminishes,” Brenda Harbin-Forte, leader of Oakland United, said.

Thao released a video statement Tuesday saying OPOA is “obviously playing politics” and that she has done a lot of work in public safety since her start last January.

She told the press that she has no plans to resign.

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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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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