Community Celebrates Historic Oakland Billboard Agreements
Grand Jury Report Incorrect – Council & Community Benefit
We, the Oakland Billboard Economic Development Coalition, which includes Oakland’s six leading community health clinics, all ethnic chambers of commerce, and top communitybased economic development organizations –celebrate the historic billboard agreements approved last year by the Oakland City Council. We have fought for this opportunity against the billboard monopoly, against Clear Channel, for five years. The agreements approved by Council set the bar for community benefits - nearly $70 Million over their lifetime, more than 23 times the total paid by all previous Clear Channel relocation agreements in Oakland combined.
Oakland Post
postnewsgroup.com 61st Year, No.
OPINION
By Pastor Kenneth Chambers Special to The Post
The summer of 2024 promises to be a season of reckoning for both the City of Oakland and Alameda County. The ever-present threat of gun violence, high rates of burglary, robbery and car break-ins, the lack of accessible mental health care, the scourge of sex trafficking, and the imperative need for affordable housing needs to be reckoned with.
The Interfaith Council of Alameda County (ICAC) is committed to working with the faith community, service providers, advocates, businesses, and city and county officials to address the reckoning before us.
The need for emergency housing is apparent. The number of unhoused people in our city and county is both staggering and heartbreaking with a 9% increase
in Oakland’s unhoused community since 2022, according to a recent report from EveryOne Home.
ICAC provides emergency housing in Oakland with a safe car park and tiny homes for people living in their cars. ICAC is also planning to develop a transitional housing village at West Side Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland with 25 trailers available to house individuals and families that are currently unhoused.
West Side MBC, at 732 Willow Street in West Oakland, is looking to partner with other congregations across Alameda County that are interested in developing transitional housing with trailers on their properties.
“There is a need for more action and funding from the state, and city and county officials to provide solutions to the homelessness crisis in
By Magaly Muñoz
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao finally addressed the public Monday morning after four days of silence following an FBI raid on her home last week and the certification of signatures required to trigger a recall election.
Thao and her family woke up to FBI officers entering her home last Thursday morning and leaving with several boxes of unknown content.
The FBI has not commented on what the investigation is about, but it has been reported that they are working in collaboration with the IRS and USPS.
“I want to be crystal clear. I have done nothing wrong,” Thao stated
emphatically at the press conference.
Three other properties were also searched that morning, including the residences of California Waste Solutions owners Andy and David Duong. The Duongs are at the center of an investigation by the Oakland Public Ethics Commission for political money-laundering, as reported by the Oaklandside. Thao said that she was unaware of the investigation or raid prior to Thursday and would have fully cooperated had the FBI contacted her beforehand. She says she still has not received any information on what the investigation is about or whether she is the focus of it.
By Conway Jones
The Oakland City Council approved legislation to authorize the City Administrator to enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG) for the sale of the City of Oakland’s half of the Coliseum site. Seven councilmembers voted “Yes.” District 5 City Councilmember Noel Gallo abstained.
AASEG will purchase Oakland’s share of the Coliseum property for a minimum of $105 million.
The Oakland A’s, who are playing their last season at the stadium before temporarily relocating to Sacramento, are buying the other half of the property.
“AASEG is clearly one of the positive things happening right now, and Oaklanders from the flatlands to the hills should be uniting to make sure that this fact gets celebrated,” said AASEG Founder Ray Bobbitt.
Oakland residents and city leaders said they are pleased that AASEG is an Oakland-based development group, believing that the development group knows Oakland best and will preserve its vision.
Jonathan Jones, finance chairperson of AASEG who just returned from doing work in Ghana for two months, said, “It is important to build the community by the community.”
AASEG is committed to engaging with East Oakland residents to develop a strong community benefits agreement. This agreement will be a model for community development and inclusion.
“This historic decision finally delivers on those promises by empowering the East Oakland natives and Black developers at AASEG who are dedicated to their community’s health and well-being to develop the site.” said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao.
By Ken Epstein
If Mayor Sheng Thao’s enemies, who have been working since the day she was elected to unseat her and install a representative of the old regime, had hoped she was on the ropes and that her
supporters would be silenced following an unannounced and unexplained but highly publicized FBI raid on her home last week, they learned this week they were wrong. In a short, fiery speech, the mayor came out swinging, defiant. She made clear that she does not know any more than the public about what the FBI is investigating. She questioned why the FBI felt it had to raid her home at dawn, the day after the announcement that a recall petition made the November ballot: “What probable cause does the FBI have that justifies the raiding of the home of a sitting mayor without the courtesy of conversation?”
“I am innocent: I have not been charged with a crime,” she said. She stated forcefully that the attack on her was politically motivated: “I want you to know about
Are Calling on Her to Resign Following FBI Raid
By Magaly Muñoz
It’s no secret that residents of Oakland have been widely unsatisfied with Mayor Sheng Thao during her 18 months in office, but calls for her resignation have soared since her home was raided by the FBI last week for an unspecified investigation.
Thao opponents have held several press conferences and rallies in the week since the raid and the certification of necessary signatures to trigger a recall election against the mayor.
Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao, headed by Seneca Scott and former Alameda judge
Brenda Harbin-Forte, is leading the campaign to oust Thao from office. They are adamant that under the mayor’s leadership, Oakland has gone to ruin and her resignation would allow the city to heal once and for all.
“More than 40,000 people signed the recall petitions from all over Oakland. These are citizens who are hurting. They’ve been hurting for a long, long time,” Harbin-Forte said.
The most recent call for resignation came shortly after Thao’s first appearance following the news of the FBI investigation. Until that
Recall proponents against Mayor Sheng Thao have held several
Pastor Kenneth Chambers, Pastor of Westside MBC. Courtesy photo.
Story continues on page 8
Members of the Oakland Billboard Economic Development Coalition after unanimous Council vote. Photo by Pamela Palma Photography
Black Leadership Council Honors California’s Three Black Constitutional Officers
By Antonio Ray Harvey California Black Media
The Black Leadership Council (BLC) honored Secretary of State Shirley Weber, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and Controller Malia Cohen on June 19 during its Juneteenth Legislative Awards Luncheon in Sacramento.
Along with other awardees, California’s three Black constitutional officers were honored for their dedication to excellence, vision for equality, and awareness of political rights. The awards presentation was held at the Sutter Club near the State Capitol.
The state’s other constitutional officers are Gov. Gavin Newsom, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalikis, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, State Treasurer Fiona Ma and the four members of the state’s Board of Equalization.
“It was a wonderful event. Well done,” Weber said. “They’ve honored some wonderful people. I am just proud to be a part of the list.”
Honorees included Dr. Flojaune Cofer, an epidemiologist, policy director, community advocate, and mayoral candidate in Sacramento; and Tomiquia Moss,
who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom as the secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSHA) in November 2023.
Tiyesha Watts, a legislative and policy analyst for the California Academy of Family Physicians, was the youngest of the six honorees. She is well known around the State Capitol for being an outspoken advocate, bringing awareness to challenges people are facing in socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
Tasha Henneman, chief of Policy and Government Affairs for PRC (formerly Positive Resource Center), shared that she admired Watts’ leadership and extensive knowledge of the legislative process.
“I was immediately impressed by her intellect, professionalism, grace, and confidence from providing expert testimony on a bill or just in a ‘me, too’ moment, or just facilitating a meeting with a physician or budget staff,” said Henneman.
BLC co-chairs Brett Andrews, interim CEO of All Home; and Felton Institute CEO Al Gilbert provided opening remarks, along with PRC CEO Chuan Teng and Board Treasurer Darren Smith.
Kapri Walker, chair of the California Legislative Black Staff Association (CLBSA), addressed the need for more Black legislative staff. Walker, who is from San Diego, is a former Capitol Senate Fellow. She said CLBS is currently raising money to fund interns.
Henneman referred to Walker as a “generational leader.”
“We are trying to strengthen the pipeline of young Black talent into positions of power,” Walker said.
BLC is a group of leaders whose work involves improving the conditions for Black Californians and other vulnerable populations across the state in housing, education, and healthcare. BLC also seeks to remove institutional barriers based on race, class, color, and zip codes.
In addition to the Legislative Awards Luncheon, BLC was at the State Capitol to commemorate Juneteenth by participating in “Black in Action Advocacy Day” held to engage policymakers in Sacramento.
“BLC to me is not just an organization or effort that is trying to systemically change the future for Black folks, it’s a movement,” Moss, a former co-chair of BLC, said while accepting her award.
al views, the court concluded, that may have clouded their judgment.
The defense team eliminated the last Black women from the jury and continued the trial with no Black women serving on the jury.
The court appeal in Nadey’s case alleged that his case was affected by racial bias. However, the Supreme Court decided to uphold the initial ruling and found that the State prosecutor’s decision to remove Black jurors was justified.
Capital punishment remains a complex issue in California’s criminal justice system, although Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a moratorium on executions.
‘A
Time to Reflect and Rejoice’: Black Caucus Members Commemorate Juneteenth on Assembly Floor
By California Black Media
On June 17, two days before Juneteenth, members of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) delivered remarks on the Assembly floor commemorating the national holiday and its significance in American history.
ACR 192, introduced by Assemblymember Reggie JonesSawyer (D-Los Angeles), aims to honor, and reflect on the emancipation of African Americans from chattel slavery and honor their contributions throughout America’s history.
Speaking on the Assembly floor, Jones-Sawyer said the resolution is the CLBC’s annual commemoration of Juneteenth as “Freedom Day.”
“Two years after President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, the bell of freedom rang true for over 3 million Black Americans, marking the beginning of the fight to secure the freedom of those still enslaved and provide fair and equal treatment for the formerly enslaved,” JonesSawyer said.
“Juneteenth is a time to reflect and rejoice for all the work it took to reach this point, as well as a reminder that true equality is not accomplished overnight,” he added. “While there have been great
strides to acknowledge and address the history and plight of Black Americans, society, as a whole, still has a long way to go. Juneteenth is an opportunity to educate all communities that we may not repeat injustices and abuses committed in the past.”
The resolution particularly highlights how Black Americans have helped enrich American civic life through their steadfast commitment to promoting unity and equality.
Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), also a member of the CLBC, spoke on behalf of the Women’s Caucus in support of Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 192, the California Legislature’s resolution acknowledging the federal holiday and celebrating the emancipation of African Americans from slavery.
Weber highlighted that African Americans won their hard-won freedom after providing free labor illegally for two-and-a-half more years in Texas.
Weber shared the story of Opal Lee, known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.” Lee is among numerous civil rights activists and leaders who campaigned for decades for June 19th to be recognized as a federal holiday.
Lee traveled around the country educating people about Juneteenth
California 2024 Budget Agreement Includes Funding for Reparations Bill Implementation, Victim Services and More
By Joe W. Bowers Jr. California Black Media
By California Black Media
Last week, the California Supreme Court voted 5-2 to uphold an Alameda County court’s decision to issue death penalty sentences in over 30 trials, ruling that the prosecutors had valid reasons to dismiss Black jurors.
“We conclude in each instance the prosecutor’s reasons were inherently plausible and supported,” the court ruled. The court cited evidence from jury questionnaires and the prosecutors’ questions directed to the jurors removed from the trial.
In April, a federal judge or-
dered Alameda County to review over 30 death penalty convictions following allegations that the Alameda District Attorney’s office removed Black and Jewish people from juries.
The trials reviewed included a case that involved a jury in February 2000 that found Giles Albert Nadey guilty of murder and sodomy, sending him to death row.
During this trial, a California prosecutor removed five out of six Black women from the jury pool. According to the prosecutor, some of the Black jurors were reluctant to impose the death penalty. Other Black women had liber-
The executive order declared that “death sentences are unevenly and unfairly applied to people of color, people with mental disabilities, and people who cannot afford costly legal representation.”
A report by The Sentencing Project indicated that African Americans are skeptical about pursuing the death penalty in cases. Therefore, criminal justice advocates argue that prosecutors prefer juries that support capital punishment, often excluding Black jurors.
California laws allow convicts to appeal court rulings based on racial bias in criminal hearings. Criminal justice advocates continue to push back on the death penalty and call for more accountability in the courts.
The 2024 California budget agreement has earmarked $103 million in one-time funding for victims’ services programs. This allocation is designed to compensate for federal funding cuts and ensure continued support for crime victims.
Grace Glaser of VALOR, a member of the California VOCA Advocacy Alliance, a statewide coalition of organizations dedicated to supporting survivors of crime, advocates, and their communities, praised this move, stating, “Gov. Newsom and the Legislature have temporarily stitched [the safety net] back together with their commitment to one-time backfill funding, ensuring that for now, victims will receive support during the most traumatic and dangerous times of their lives.”
While grateful for the current funding, Glaser emphasized the need for ongoing financial commitment to ensure long-term stability for victims’ services.
The budget also allocates $12
million to support the implementation of reparations legislation enacted into law this session. This funding aims to help address historical injustices and promote equity and justice for Black Californians.
Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC) Chair, told California Black Media: “I consider the governor’s allocation of $12 million for reparations resources a win. While the Legislative Black Caucus is committed to getting our legislative work on Reparations fully funded, I believe this is a positive start, especially during a challenging budget year. As I’ve always emphasized, this is a multiyear effort to implement the legislative recommendations in the report.”
The 2024 CLBC Reparation Priority Bill Package includes 14 measures being considered by the Assembly and Senate. Additionally, CLBC Vice Chair Sen Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood) has proposed two reparations-focused bills not included in the package.
Bradford expressed gratitude for the allocation of $12 million in the
and led walks each year commemorating Juneteenth before it was federally recognized.
At 89, Lee led a symbolic walk, said Weber, from her hometown of Ft. Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., leaving in September of 2016 and arriving in January of 2017.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021 and Lee was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024 for her activism.
“Lee represents the millions of women throughout the history of this country who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our history is not erased, reframed nor ignored,” said Weber.
Other lawmakers who recognized Juneteenth on the Assembly floor included Assemblymember Lori Wilson (D-Suisun City), Chair of the CLBC; Eloise Gomez Reyes (D-Colton), chair of the California Legislative Latino Caucus; Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno); Assemblymember James C. Ramos (D-San Bernardino), chair of the California Native American Legislative Caucus; and Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley), also a member of CLBC.
“It is a call-to-action for all Californians to interrogate the systems that keeps others in bondage,” said Wilson.
state budget for reparations, despite the state’s current financial challenges.
“This money will start to stand up the infrastructure to pay for future reparations. We, as the California Legislative Black Caucus, made the case that the harms of slavery and racist public policies aren’t healed,” Bradford said. “This clearly states that reparations do matter and will be a priority in California going forward. This is just the beginning.”
The 2024 Budget agreement reached between Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Mike McGuire (D-North Coast), and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Salinas) comes at a time when the state faces significant fiscal challenges.
In his statement announcing the agreement, Newsom highlighted the budget’s role in establishing “long-term fiscal stability,” addressing both the immediate shortfall and strengthening resilience for the future.
The budget plan includes $297.9 billion in total expenditures, with $211.5 billion from the General Fund. It preserves significant reserves, with the Budget Stabilization Account projected to hold $22.2 billion at the end of the 202425 fiscal year.
The agreement addresses a $46.8 billion deficit through a combination of reductions, revenue increases, and fund shifts. About $16 billion in cuts come from state operations and various programs.
The budget maintains core programs like Medi-Cal, behavioral health services, and Supplemental Security Income/State Supplemental Payment grants. Budget committee hearings and legislative votes on 19 budget-related bills are scheduled to be completed by June 27. June 30 is the deadline to pass all budget bills.
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, right, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond were honored at the Black Leadership Council’s Third Annual Juneteenth Legislative Awards on June 19 in Sacramento. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa) speaking on the California Assembly Floor.
Shutterstock photo.
Shutterstock: Activist in Washington D.C. Oct. 16, 2021.
Kra Food Flow: A Simple & Powerful Ancestral Way of Eating
By nanaama raine, MS, RD
Special to California Black Media
Nowadays, people prefer long lists of dos and don’ts and expensive supplements when it comes to food and eating. But our ancestors gift us a simpler, time-tested way of eating that aligns with our unique selves.
Our ancestors teach us that our “kra” - the higher self and guiding energy within us - guides us in many ways, especially with food. Our kra tells us what, when, and how to eat. The Kra Food Flow is what should steer our diet choices -- not the latest trends.
Ways Your Kra (Soul) Speaks
Ancestors say, the voice of your kra (soul) is a physical sensation and inner knowing that is unique to you that you can identify with, interact with, and feel deep inside of you. Your kra uses obvious signals like allergies/intolerances to guide you and subtle, quiet cues that require training your atten-
tion, so don’t ignore these messages. This helps you make food decisions that keep you mentally sharp and healthy. Once you experience it, there’s no doubt, as it is constant, trustworthy, and nonjudgmental.
Practice Listening to Your Kra (Soul)
In the beginning, to tap into the deeper wisdom of your kra, find a quiet place to be, ask questions about what foods are best for you, and listen for answers that are consistent and clear. You might need to ask your kra the same questions repeatedly. You will know you’re hearing your kra when you find yourself asking over and over if you can eat a favorite food and your kra consistently says yes (or no). Eventually, you’ll recognize and trust your kra with confidence.
Water, the Bridge to Your Kra (Soul)
Remember that sometimes internal noises in your head (or trauma trapped in your body) can drown out your kra’s voice. For most people of African descent, a way to clear the noise around your kra’s voice could be by simply drinking
enough water every day. As we age, we become drier and less sensitive to thirst. When you’re even a little bit dry, things start to break down. A lot of chronic disease like diabetes and hypertension stem from being dry.
Our ancestors have said that having enough water in our bodies helps us stay in harmony. Science agrees. Our bodies are made of 5080% water. Water is in your blood and every tiny crevice and corner of your body, creating a spacesuit environment, lubricating your brain/ spine/joints/tissues, keeping you at a comfortable temperature, and allowing your enzymes and immune system to function optimally.
Power Your Soul with Water
Challenge
Water helps you feel at home in your body - homeostasis, so you can hear your kra speak clearly to you about everything, including how to eat. This is why our ancestors emphasize the importance of water for our bodies and souls, our kras. To stay in balance and feel at home in your body, you must intentionally drink water, ideally at least
50% of your body weight in ounces, i.e., about 85 ounces daily if you weigh 170 pounds. Watery foods like fruits, vegetables, and soups also contribute to your hydration. Get a large water bottle, decide how much you’ll drink per day, and find a community for support. Make drinking water a habit. In our flowfolx community, we’re serious about drinking at least 64 oz. of water every day. Join our Power Your Soul with Water challenge for encouragement and accountability. Find us on Instagram @poweryoursoulwithwater.
About the Author nanaama raine (@nanaamaraine) is an Akan poet, seer, dietitian, and member of The Association of Black Psychologists Bay Area Chapter (Bay ABPsi). Bay ABPsi is a healing resource committed to providing the Post Newspaper readership with monthly discussions about critical issues in Black Mental Health. Join us at our monthly chapter meetings every third Saturday via Zoom and contact us at bayareaabpsi@gmail. com.
nanaama raine, MS, RD. Courtesy photo.
Public Notices, Classifieds & Business
OPINION: A Strange Tale of Two Political Fights: Sheng Thao and Donald Trump
By Emil Guillermo
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao
must be wondering how can a convicted felon with 34 guilty verdicts be riding high, while she, an uncharged elected official, fights for her political life?
That’s how strange politics is in America today.
On the national stage, President Joe Biden made an historic ask of Americans this week. It’s summer, and everyone is a “low information” voter now. But for the sake of the country, and the future of democracy, it’s time to pay attention. Get nerdy now.
Biden is essentially tied with Trump, a newly convicted felon, which tells you how cockeyed political values are in America.
Instead of policy, Trump is all bluster talking about a pre-debate drug test because he’s sure Biden is going to be “jacked up” on some kind of performance enhancing drug.
That kind of thing gets attention. Not whether you’re going to do things to improve people’s lives.
But rest assured, if Donald Trump is elected for a second time, the blueprint is already out. The Heritage Foundation’s plan calls for a “Department of Life,”
For five days, Thao was silent, but on Monday, she came out firing her best shot.
“I have done nothing wrong,” Thao said at a news conference. “I can tell you with confidence that this investigation is not about me. I have not been charged with a crime and I am confident that I will not be charged because I am innocent.”
Thao said she was seeking answers from the U.S. attorney as to why she wasn’t “offered the opportunity to cooperate voluntarily.”
and a theocratic-based world view where abortion is illegal, and minorities of all stripes are disempowered.
A vote for Trump represents a radical reformatting of democracy.
POLITICS IN OAKLAND
In the meantime, local Oakland politics is slightly different, but no less confounding.
Sheng Thao, 18 months into her tenure as the first Hmong American to be mayor of a major U.S. city, is recovering from the worst week in her life.
First, a group of Oakland citizens qualified enough signatures to hold a recall election of Thao.
Then, on Wednesday, 15 people were shot at an unauthorized Juneteenth celebration in the city’s Lake Merritt area. The topper came Thursday, when the FBI executed a pre-dawn raid of a number of houses including Thao’s, all connected to a case reportedly involving improper campaign donations from Andy Duong, a Vietnamese American businessman whose company, CalWaste, won the contract to run the city’s recycling program. No arrests were made, just boxes and computers hauled from the various homes. Not a good look.
THAO: “I AM INNOCENT”
Good question. Unless they thought she was hiding something.
Thao addressed the shootings last week first with care, then said she won’t be distracted from the real issues of Oakland. Like safety or the selling of the Oakland Coliseum to a Black-owned group. But she went back to questioning the timing of last week.
“I want to know more about the handful of billionaires from San Francisco and Piedmont who are hell bent on running me out of office,” she said, questioning how the recall announcement and the raid seemed orchestrated with the media “to fan the flames and bend the facts to shape a narrative.” Trump, the convicted felon, overcomes reality and is propelled by “friends” who see him as a winner. Thao was voted in through RCV, rank-choice-voting. She was the most people’s No. 2, not No. 1. Maybe that’s why few allies are standing up behind her now. The Oakland NAACP, and even one Asian group is calling for her to resign.
For Thao, this will be the test if her story can overcome it all, again.
About the Author Emil Guillermo is a journalist and commentator. See him at
When you get a Flex Alert, reduce your power use to help ease the grid and avoid statewide outages. The more people that save their energy for later, the more likely we keep the lights on.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Presidential Candidate Donald Trump. Courtesy photos.
Oakland Mayor’s Team is Jumping Ship: Personal Attorney,
By Magaly Muñoz
Mayor Sheng Thao’s Chief of Communications Francis Zamora announced his resignation from her administration Tuesday morning, following Thao’s attorney withdrawing representation Monday afternoon.
The mayor’s office sent out a brief statement where Zamora thanked his colleagues for their dedication and professionalism. He had worked for Thao’s office for less than a year before this announcement.
“It was an honor to serve the City of Oakland beside them,” he said.
Zamora did not share any additional details on why he is choosing to leave the mayor’s team, but it does come only days after Thao’s home was raided by the FBI last Thursday.
“Francis was a valuable member of the team whose contributions are greatly valued and appreciated. I thank him for his service and wish him well,” Thao said in a statement.
Pati Navalta, who previously held the now vacant communications position, will step in as interim chief of communications until a new person is hired.
The mayor has had a tumultuous week following the raid on her home, along with three other residences, with no explanation provided by the FBI. The other properties are owned by the Duong family, who are currently the focus of an Oakland Public Ethics Commission investigation on political money laundering.
Bay Area defense attorney Anthony Brass, who Thao hired to represent her after the raids, also announced that he was withdrawing from her legal team.
Brass confirmed his withdrawal with the Post but did not elaborate on his decision to leave.
In an interview with CBS Monday evening, Brass told reporters that he and Thao had “very different approaches or different philosophies about how to proceed” with her case.
‘I am Innocent’ ...
Continued from page 1
Bay Area defense attorney Anthony Brass, who took on Thao as a client shortly after the incident, and talked to press on Friday afternoon, withdrew his representation Monday.
He asked to withdraw from her legal team, and she accepted, Brass told the Post, but did not elaborate as to why.
Thao also addressed the shooting at Lake Merritt on June 19 during a Juneteenth celebration where 15 people were injured by gunfire. The incident was a result of a fight during a car sideshow that occurred at the Lakefest festival around 8 p.m.
This event resulted in yet another conversation about the lack of public safety and police presence in the city, an issue many have blamed Thao for.
“I want every Oaklander to know that we will work hard to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Thao said.
The FBI raid happened only two days after the Alameda County Registrar of Voters certified the signatures needed to trigger a recall election on the November ballot. Recall proponents submitted over 40,000 signatures seven weeks before their July deadline.
Thao accused billionaires from San Francisco and Piedmont for being behind the attempts to oust her and “buying the recall election.” She blamed them for empowering people like Seneca Scott, a leader
the handful of billionaires from San Francisco and Piedmont who are hellbent on running me out of office.”
She said the same people who are going after her are silent about current charges against a former elected official (Libby Schaaf) for political corruption.
“This couldn’t have gone down the way it did if I was rich, if I had gone to elite private schools, or if I had come from money,” she said.
“I am your mayor. The people who voted for me deserve to have their voices heard. I will not be bullied, and I will not be disparaged, and I will not be threatened out of this office.”
and because of which they were elected.
“We join Mayor Thao in questioning why she has not been told the reasons for the raid nor given an opportunity to cooperate and all this within hours of the recall petition being certified.”
Said Pamela Drake, a longtime political and police accountability activist in the city: “Our mayor, along with our progressive councilmembers, have made some enemies with deep pockets — developers, corporate landlords, and lock-’em-up folks — and they have come after her.”
Continued from page 1
Unfortunately, a recent flawed Grand Jury report got it wrong, so we feel compelled to correct the record:
1. Regarding the claim that the decision was made hastily, the report itself belies that claim.
Apparently, Brass had not even known that Thao was addressing the press that morning. Brass himself had spoken to reporters last Friday afternoon, assuring the public that Thao has “nothing to hide.”
At the time, neither Brass nor the mayor had any knowledge that she was the target of the FBI investigation. Thao echoed similar statements at her press conference on Monday.
In less than a week, Thao has had her administration, and possibly her legacy, turned upside down. She’s not only juggling this crisis, but the city is also up in flames over the large budget deficit, the recent shooting at Lake Merritt on Juneteenth, and her upcoming recall election in November.
The optics are not favoring Thao, considering her former chief of staff is also coming out and alleging that the mayor’s office engaged in pay-for-play schemes in her tenure.
Renia Webb worked for Thao during her time as an Oakland City Councilmember and was with her briefly after she won the mayoral election in 2022. She told CBS that she was not surprised to see the FBI investigating Thao and has called on Thao to resign following the incident.
Webb is also being interviewed by the FBI.
Thao’s opponents have not wavered in using recent events to prove that she is not fit for office and must be removed.
Since Thursday, multiple groups and residents have called on Thao to resign and save the city the trouble and money to put the recall on the ballot. Opponents are alleging corruption and mismanagement of the city by several city leaders aside from Thao, such as Council President Nikki Fortunato-Bas and Carroll Fife.
Thao stated that she would not be bullied out of her position and will fight against anyone who is attempting to oust her.
behind the recall, to overturn the election.
“They were not only aiming to undermine the outcome of a fair and free election, but they empowered a dangerous man with a history of assault weapons violations to further attack me in life,” Thao said.
The “dangerous man” in question is Scott, a failed 2022 mayoral candidate who is spearheading the recall alongside former Police Commissioner Brenda HarbinForte. The recall group has called on Thao to resign since the unraveling of events on Thursday.
The mayor also suggested that this situation would not be happening if she were a rich politician. She stated that she’s aware that former elected officials have committed campaign finance violations with “mountains” of evidence to prove the wrongdoing, but “their front doors remain intact.”
Because the press was told Thao would not take questions, following her lawyer’s advice, no one asked for further details about this claim.
Thao promised to continue her work to keep Oakland safe and fight against the “right-wing forces” behind her recall. She reiterated her commitment to major city projects like the sale of the Coliseum property to the African American Sports Entertainment Group, emphasizing that this investment would proceed without derailment.
“I will not be bullied, and I will not be disparaged, and I will not be frightened out of this office,” Thao said.
She promised to not allow the attacks to distract her from her duties. She pledged to work with the City Council to approve a balanced budget amid the deep financial shortfall facing cities nationwide and to move ahead with the sale of the City’s half of the Oakland Coliseum to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, which some estimate is the largest sale of public land to African Americans in history.
Encouraged by Thao’s strong words, community leaders and activists are raising their voices to support her.
Walter Riley, Oakland civil rights attorney and leader of the John George Democratic Club, has been an outspoken opponent of local recall campaigns.
Riley, who saw the press conference, said, “I thought she made a strong statement and that the people who are calling for her to resign are not following the evidence and are ignoring due process. They are not behaving responsibly or showing any quality leadership when they make sensational accusations where they have no evidence to back up what they are saying.
“I do know that there is evidence that leaders of past city administrations and some of the leaders of the local recalls have committed serious violations,” he said.
David Weintraub released a statement on behalf of the Coordinating Committee of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club, the East Bay’s largest Democratic club.
“(We are) 100% supportive of the mayor and her progressive policies and the direction she has set for our City.
“We are 100% opposed to the recall funded by wealthy interests and which have not only targeted her but progressive leaders such as our progressive DA, Pamela Price, and the former DA of SF, Chesa Boudin.
“The recall efforts of all these leaders were commenced practically before they took office, much less had any fair opportunity to implement the policies they ran on
“Additionally, her style offends some older folks and people who have a vision of how Asian women should deport themselves,” said Drake. “They’re willing to bring chaos to our city government to turn back the clock, but we must resist their rumor-mongering and negativity and give her a full term as the voters intended.”
Mona Treviño, a parent activist who has fought school closings and is organizing for a Gaza cease-fire, wrote a strong statement on Facebook:
“It’s not just me that sees that the Mayor appears to have pissed off some powerful people who are now throwing her under the bus. At the end of the day, power at the top does not have a party, it’s about power and money. This is seeping into our local representation and cannot be accepted. If you know anything about the shark tank that is politics, you know that too many people are open to the highest bidder - like this joke of a lawyer.”
She continued: “Why would anyone want any replacement who is not willing to accept the outcome of our (elections)? These people running around pouring in millions for reactionary recalls – who is leading this in elections around the country?... Shame on the powers that be (who are) throwing a local mayor under the bus. We see you.”
Servant BK Woodson, pastor of Bay Area Christian Connection, said he was concerned about the timing of the recall announcement to coincide with the FBI raid. “I don’t think these things are a coincidence,” he said.
“The idea of democracy, that people can govern themselves without the guidance of the overlords, is at risk right now,” he said. “Recalls are a way for the rich and well-positioned to override the will of the people.”
“It’s easy to abandon someone when they are down; I’m not going to do that,” he said. “She’s innocent until proven guilty. I think everyone needs to support her.”
Opponents of Sheng Thao ...
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point, Thao had been MIA for four days, only communicating through her former attorney Anthony Brass.
Many interpreted this lack of acknowledgment to the public as an admission of guilt and a sign that she has something to hide.
Thao emphatically portrayed her innocence at the Monday press conference, stating that she would cooperate in any way she could while continuing her duties to keep Oakland safe.
FBI raids aside, the mayor has long been the blame for many of Oakland’s deep-rooted problems including the absence of a police chief for a whole year, rising crime rates, businesses leaving the city, the fiscal crisis, and overall the lack of public safety.
This has ultimately led to her facing a recall election after the recall campaign successfully gathered over 40,000 signatures to get the recall scheduled. But her opponents are instead asking for her to willingly step down so as to not cost the city any additional funds to put this on the November ballot.
The city estimates that the cost of the recall could be $4.9 million for a standalone election or $1.2 for a consolidated ballot in November, but recall proponents say it doesn’t have to get that far and she can choose to “do the honorable thing” and allow for the people to vote for a new mayor in November.
Harbin-Forte also said that they could’ve gotten more signatures
The process was five years in the making, with two and a half years from the first City Council hearing to the final vote. Along the way, as the report describes, there were multiple Planning Commission hearings, public stakeholder outreach meetings, a Council Committee meeting, and then a vote by the full Council. Not only was this not hasty, it had far more scrutiny than any of the previous relocation agreements approved by the City with Clear Channel, all of which provide 1/23 of the benefits of the Becker/OFI agreements approved by the Council.
2. More importantly, the agreements will actually bring millions to the City and community, nearly $70M to be exact, 23 times the previous Clear Channel relocation agreements combined. They certainly will not cost the city money, especially since nothing would have been on the table at all if our Coalition had not been fighting for it. Right before the decisive City Council Committee hearing, in the final weeks before the full Council vote, there was a hastily submitted last-minute “proposal” by Clear Channel that was debunked as based on non-legal and non-economically viable sites, and relying entirely on the endorsement of a consultant that boasts Clear Channel as their biggest client and whose decisions map to Clear Channel’s monopolistic interests all over the country. Some City staff believed these unrealistic numbers based on false premises, and, since they only interviewed City staff, the Grand Jury report reit-
for the ballot but claimed residents were scared because of alleged threats made by Thao.
“So many [residents] did not sign and did not feel comfortable signing because… she had already told people that if anyone supported the recall that their nonprofit was not getting another dime,” HarbinForte said.
Tuan Ngo, founder of Asians Unite, stated that the mayor was embarrassing Oakland and needed to leave office immediately. He also called on council president Nikki Fortunato-Bas and Carroll Fife to resign, a message that has also been widespread amongst dissatisfied Oaklanders over the last several months.
Although the recall group has not officially endorsed anyone to take over for Thao, Loren Taylor, the candidate who narrowly lost to Thao in the 2022 election, has said that he is preparing to run again. Thao defeated Taylor by just 677 votes.
Despite the mounting pressure for her to step down, Thao assured the public at her press conference that she would not be bullied out of her job and won’t allow “billionaires from San Francisco and Piedmont” to buy a fair election out from under the city.
The Oakland City Council is scheduled to discuss the certification of the recall petition on July 2.
Continued from page 1 Historic Oakland Billboard Agreements ...
erated this misinformation, but it was just part of Clear Channel’s tried and true monopolistic practices of seeking to derail agreements that actually set the new standard for billboard community benefits. Furthermore, our proposals are not mutually exclusive – if Clear Channel’s proposal was real, why had they not brought it forward previously? Why have they not brought it forward since? Because it was not a real proposal – it was nothing but smoke and mirrors, as the Clear Channel’s former Vice President stated publicly at Council.
Speaking on behalf of the community health clinics that are the primary beneficiaries of the billboard funding, La Clinica de la Raza CEO Jane Garcia, states: “In this case, the City Council did the right thing – listening to the community that fought for five years to create this opportunity that is offering the City and community more than twenty times what previous billboard relocation agreements have offered.”
A Summer of Reckoning ...
Alameda County,” said Rev. Ken Chambers, Sr., pastor of West Side MBC and president of ICAC. “We want to provide unhoused people with stable, transitional housing where they can feel safe and give them some hope. But we can’t do it alone. Working together works.”
“How much more can we take?” asks Dr. Kenneth Anderson, pastor of Williams Chapel Baptist Church. “Public safety is my No. 1 focus and the need for more affordable housing for all people in Oakland. Too many people are homeless, sleeping in their cars and deserve a safe place to sleep.”
Tree of Life Empowerment Pastor Phyllis Scott also supports the proposed collaboration. “As the president of the Oakland commu-
nity chaplain program, we stand in agreement and in total support of the mission. And the great reckoning that needs to take place and the belief that ICAC is the organization that can see that happen. All for the shalom of the city,” she says. On Thursday, July 11 from 1:002:30 p.m., community members are invited to join ICAC at Williams Chapel Baptist Church, 1410 10th Ave. in Oakland, to reckon with the unfolding crises before us. We believe having “all hands on deck” can move our communities in the necessary direction towards solutions.
For more information or questions, visit www.interfaithac.org.
Francis Zamora, former City of Oakland Chief of Communications.
Photo by Gene Hazzard.
West Side Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland has 25 trailers available to house individuals and families that are currently unhoused.
Photo by Kevin Hicks.
The children of Louis and Barbara White would like to announce the celebration of their parents’ 75th Wedding Anniversary. The event will be held Saturday, June 29 at the Sequoyah Country Club, 4550 Heafty Road, Oakland, CA. Courtesy photo.
