Massive #Drive4Justice Caravan Targets Homes of Mayor, City Councilmembers, Declare “#TimesUp”

#DefundthePolice Coalition Leads Actions to Condemn Oakland’s Pro-Cop, Antidemocratic Budget

Photos are available here and pasted below (please credit Brooke Anderson.)
Livestreams are available here and pasted below.

Oakland, Calif., — A broad coalition of community organizations held a massive car caravan from the Port of Oakland to the mayor’s and city councilmembers’ houses in response to the pro-police, anti-community budget they adopted last week, over the cries of thousands demanding they defund the police and invest in community services. With actions at Councilmember McElhaney, Gallo, Taylor, and Mayor Schaaf’s houses, organizers aimed to raise awareness with Oakland voters about the dishonorable actions of their councilmembers, encourage them to register and vote for the Defund Police, Refund our Communities agenda in the coming election.  

Hundreds of cars streamed out of the Oakland Port with speakers blaring “Defund OPD” and posters demanding “Refund our Communities”, and were met with aztec dancers, marching bands, street murals, and children chalking their vision of the future of Oakland when they arrived at Councilmembers houses. 

"We have sent a clear message to our elected representatives that they will face consequences when they are reckless and dishonest with our public dollars. From the streets to their front doors to the ballot box, the people of Oakland are saying that enough is enough. And we won’t stop until we see OPD defunded by 50%, and every one of those taxpayer dollars invested towards life affirming programs and services. The time is now.” Said Jessamyn Sabbag, Executive Director of Oakland Rising Action. 

Earlier in the day, Council President Rebecca Kaplan joined the Defund the Police Coalition and leaders from ACCE Action, SEIU 1021, Oakland Rising Action, Anti Police-Terror Project, and others, who spoke about rejecting the proposed budget put forward by Councilmembers McElhaney, Reid, Gallo, and Taylor that narrowly crossed a procedural threshold in a hurried vote Tuesday. Kaplan and Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas will bring a proposal to the City Council meeting this coming Tuesday, June 30th, to bring back the final amendments for review, clarification, and amendment, to better serve the community. 

"In the midst of a global movement to Defend Black Life and Defund the Police, Oakland is taking our rightful place today. The people of this city will not stand for nearly half of their tax dollars going to fund the police department, while we have thousands of unhoused people on the streets being met with cops and not care” said Cat Brooks, co-founder of the Anti Police-Terror Project. 

The preliminary budget passed on Tuesday, which was authored by Councilmembers Lynette Gibson McElhaney, Loren Taylor, Noel Gallo and Larry Reid, was sprung on the city council and the public with less than 24 hours notice. It was forced through the preliminary vote with elements that were received after the meeting had begun, over the clear mandate from hours of unanimous public testimony to defund the police. 

Despite misleading rhetoric to the contrary, the proposal will divert less than 1% of funding from policing, anticipates cuts to vital services, and does little to further public safety in Oakland. 

In response, each caravan hand delivered copies of a full page ad in the San Francisco Chronicle condemning the pro-police budget and telling Oakland City Hall, “Your time is up.” McElhaney, approached by a small delegation of Black leaders from the faith community, initially opened her door, then slammed it closed in the face of her constituents. Gallo, Taylor, and Schaaf, despite attempts, did not answer the door and speak to the gathered Oaklanders. 

Hi-Res Photos (credit Brooke Anderson): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1rCpDfvEfl8TnThlJdXXw8IshIF7QHlqt
Live-streams: https://www.facebook.com/events/1925721074244152/permalink/1932338703582389/

###