OAKLAND — Dozens of supporters gathered near the Rockridge BART station Sunday to support embattled Mayor Sheng Thao and oppose the upcoming recall election.
“Oakland has seen enough instability in the last few years — COVID, crime, camps,” Thao told the lunchtime crowd. “What we need now is stability and experienced leadership to guide us through these difficult and challenging times.”
The rally, organized by the group Oaklanders Defending Democracy, is a response to a campaign calling for Thao's removal only a yr into his term.
Her critics accused her of neglecting and mismanaging town's funds. Rallies had previously taken place calling for her resignation.
Elaine Peng, president of Asian Americans for a Progressive America, defended Thao's leadership, pointing to a decline in town's murder rate as evidence of progress.
“I strongly oppose the recall,” Peng said. “Oakland’s murder rate was higher in 2021 than it was in 2023, the mayor’s first year in office.”
Statistics from the Oakland Police Department show a 33% decrease in overall crime year-to-date in comparison with the identical period last yr. However, the decline followed a pointy rise in crime, meaning overall rates remain high.
An independent evaluation by the Bay Area News Group found that Oakland's crime rate rose 65% in 2023 in comparison with 2020, the sharpest increase among the many region's major cities, including San Francisco and San Jose.
Although crime stays a key issue, recent incidents have increased concerns.
Last week, an Oakland resident was shot and killed at a faculty reunion in DeFremery Park, and in June, 15 people were injured in a mass shooting at Lake Merritt. There have been 70 homicides recorded in Oakland to this point in 2024, barely fewer than the 76 recorded in 2023.
But advocates point to signs of improvement.
West Oakland resident Josh Gunter highlighted the revitalization of Raimondi Park, once home to Northern California's largest homeless encampment.
“Thanks to coordinated efforts and city investments, more homeless residents have received services and are now housed in housing,” Gunter said.
He also argued that recalls must be reserved for cases of negligence and never political disagreements.
“Recalls should occur because of serious negligence, not because of political differences,” Gunter said.
In addition to Thao, Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price can be facing a recall effort, with critics accusing her of failing to adequately address violent crime.
Thao also addressed the FBI raid on her home in June, again suggesting that it was politically motivated.
“I want to make it clear that I am innocent and not the target of the FBI investigation,” Thao said. She likened the situation to “external forces putting a finger on the scale to influence the outcome.”
“I humbly ask Oakland voters to let the U.S. justice system take its course,” she said. “A recall is not the way the rule of law is supposed to work.”
Thao praised her government's achievements but acknowledged that challenges remain.
“This problem didn’t happen overnight – not through illegal dumping, camps or disease,” she said. “We have solutions to address these challenges head-on. We cleared tons of debris and created a path to permanent housing for those in need.”
Originally published:
image credit : www.mercurynews.com