By hannover-web.com As the November recall election looms on the horizon, Oakland’s Asian American Mayor Sheng Thao recently conducted a rally against the recall effort at the Rockridge BART station in North Oakland. Mayor Thao characterized the recall as an anti-democratic maneuver driven by affluent interest groups, asserting that her opponents unjustly attribute crime and urban issues to her leadership.
Supporters at the rally took the opportunity to highlight several significant accomplishments during her administration. They pointed out her success in balancing the city’s budget and securing an agreement with the African American Sports and Entertainment Group for the renovation of the Alameda County Coliseum. Additionally, there’s excitement about the arrival of a new baseball team, the Ballers, to West Oakland, and they noted a reversal in trends concerning violent crime.
Critics of Mayor Thao have held her and other progressive leaders accountable for an increase in crime, especially during her inaugural year. However, they acknowledged that violent crime has seen a decline this year. Thao emphasized that prior to her tenure, Oakland saw an average of 120 homicides annually over a span of three years, but that figure has since fallen to below 100.
While Thao refrained from directly naming hedge fund manager Philip Dreyfuss, a Piedmont resident funding the recall, she condemned the initiative as spearheaded by someone disconnected from Oakland. “He’s wielding his wealth to create division and distraction, attempting to revert us to an era where only the wealthy and well-connected had a voice in this city,” Thao asserted. “We cannot let that happen.”
Former Asian American Mayor Jean Quan, who encountered a recall threat shortly after her term began, commented on how this movement extends beyond targeting Thao; it reflects a broader strategy aimed at intimidating emerging progressive leaders. “I believe the recall proponents are really after rent control, ranked-choice voting, and progressive environmental policies,” Quan remarked.
Ray Bobbit, president of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, articulated that the recall threatens democracy, particularly with how it has been organized. “If you want to challenge Mayor Thao, do it in the upcoming election and see if you can actually beat her,” Bobbit suggested.
The recall organizers specifically cited Thao’s decision to fire Sheriff LeRonne Armstrong in February 2023 as a pivotal factor igniting their movement. Pastor Billy Dixon of At Thy Word Ministries in East Oakland voiced his support for Thao’s choice, reinforcing her stance amid the ongoing debate.
