Today mayor Barbara Lee, council President Kevin Jenkins, and firefighters union boss Seth Olyer spoke at a rally with public employees to gin up support for Measure E.
Pamela, thank you for your comment. The article shows the video and transcript of the mayor's remarks, and readers can decide for themselves what to think about it. The firefighters union president stood at the podium and introduced the rally while standing next to the mayor. The firefighters union held a large sign next to the podium that said "save our fire stations" emblazoned with their union logo. Other public union employees were standing behind them wearing their union logo shirts, and helping distribute campaign signs. The video cut off before you were called to speak. Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated.
So, city services get held hostage if we don’t pass a new parcel tax that is going to pay for things the other parcel tax was supposed to pay for? Where is the money going?
It’s a big fat NO on E and every other attempt to tax Oaklanders further. The City must get its financial house in order. An entire audit of budgets, organization, salaries, priorities is needed, followed by an a major restructuring and overhaul.
Our representatives should NEVER be lock step with unions! They represent us, the constituents! What a mess.
Based on the transcript provided, a lackluster presentation considering how much money is wasted and being asked for. 🤔 some actual numbers would be appreciated? Feels like the voters of Oakland are taken for granted here and disrespected when half of the mayors speech was about disinformation vs just laying it all out and letting them decide.
How is it legal for them to hold a rally on city property using city resources? I know folks can do stuff on personal time however this really is blurring the line. City atty should advise on a brighter line if city staff/officials are in attendance
As usual you disrespect the fact that community organizations were present! Pastor Dixon, oakland Rising Action, ACCE Action, APEN, Oakland Tenants, District 4 resident, School Board President , and labor. How disingenuous and disrespectful to the community reps to claim it was union rally. Apologize and make the correction.
Here's a truncated transcript of your comments at the rally (from a video shared on X).
"And I think it's time we acknowledge that the elites in our society are attacking working people nationally and locally. On the national level, Trump and his MAGA forces are seeking to defund veteran benefits. They want to defund the Department of Education. They're defunding health care. They're even trying to defund the post office. These are essential services. And we have yet to feel the hurt that will affect the most vulnerable in our communities from Trump's big, beautiful bill.
I see that the same billionaires and corporate real estate developers that seek to weaken the Police Commission are the same forces that are funding the "No On Measure E" campaign and using the same tactics of misinformation.
Misinformation like blaming civilian police oversight for not being able to solve crime or acting like it's all the employee unions that are draining the city budget. Let's be clear. It is not SEIU's maintenance workers overtime that's breaking the budget. It's not IFPTE's Department of Transportation workers overtime that's breaking the budget. The forces opposed in Measure E are not simply concerned residents asking neutral questions about tax policy. They are part of a broader effort to reshape Oakland's politics. Every service cut is used to claim progressive governance can't work.
Without Measure E, there will be more children locked out of rec centers, more potholes, less dispatchers, and more closures of firehouses."
Millie, thank you for your comment. As we reminded Pamela, the article shows the video and transcript of the mayor's remarks, and readers can decide for themselves what to think about it. The firefighters union president stood at the podium and introduced the rally while standing next to the mayor. The firefighters union held a large sign next to the podium that said "save our fire stations" emblazoned with their union logo. Other public union employees were standing behind them wearing their union logo shirts, and helping distribute campaign signs. Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated.
Millie, these are the EXACT same "coalition of community groups" that supported Sheng Thao during the recall — even after the FBI raided her house. Just like you did.
Anything to say about your support for Thao? Don’t deflect. Don’t dodge, Millie - why did you support Thao? What happened to Measure NN promises?
More Sheng Thao supporters… interesting. Why should we listen to any of you? You supported a corrupt mayor now facing serious federal charges tied to her administration.
Care to comment on your support for Thao, your support for Measure NN, and the broader policies that helped push Oakland into crisis?
Of course you don’t. I don’t talk to people who bootlick for corruption, like you did supporting Thao. I recalled Thao. A supermajority voted to recalled her as well as over 75% of Black voters. But you go awf sellout!
You sound desperate. We’d leave similar comments for Oaklandside too, but they don’t allow comments — probably because propaganda works better without public feedback.
One community group I hope was there (but hasn’t been mentioned) is Oakland Community Land Trust. I’m hoping that Oakland Report will understand and appreciate in their writing the OCLT’s perspective.
you should retract this ridiculous headline. Neither the Mayor nor the unions held this rally. It was put on by a coalition of community groups. The firefighters showed up to show support. We asked Seth Olyer to co-chair with Chaney Turner. We are grateful for everything the firefighters do along with other unions and the Mayor. For just one post, try being factual instead of loading these up with spin, at best.
Pamela, thank you for your comment. The article shows the video and transcript of the mayor's remarks, and readers can decide for themselves what to think about it. The firefighters union president stood at the podium and introduced the rally while standing next to the mayor. The firefighters union held a large sign next to the podium that said "save our fire stations" emblazoned with their union logo. Other public union employees were standing behind them wearing their union logo shirts, and helping distribute campaign signs. The video cut off before you were called to speak. Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated.
I see 3 members of my IFPTE 21 leadership standing behind the mayor in union colors, and a firefighter's union banner, but I'm sure they just happened to be there at that precise moment. LMAO
*YOU* are one reason why Oakland is stuck in the abyss of dysfunction. You have never acknowledged that the ideas and executions by your friends (Quan, Sheng, Lee) are not correct or favorable to the majority of Oaklanders (Measures Y (Quan), NN, and now E).
Instead, you deflect by blaming Trump, Libby, or FOX RIGHT-WINGERS, and/or say that more taxes are needed.
Your friends have turned Oakland into an embarrassment and, for some reason, you are PROUD of this.
Pamela, thank you for your comment. The article shows the video and transcript of the mayor's remarks, and readers can decide for themselves what to think about it. The firefighters union president stood at the podium and introduced the rally while standing next to the mayor. The firefighters union held a large sign next to the podium that said "save our fire stations" emblazoned with their union logo. Other public union employees were standing behind them wearing their union logo shirts, and helping distribute campaign signs. The video cut off before you were called to speak. Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated.
So, city services get held hostage if we don’t pass a new parcel tax that is going to pay for things the other parcel tax was supposed to pay for? Where is the money going?
EMOTIONAL BLACKMAIL
It’s a big fat NO on E and every other attempt to tax Oaklanders further. The City must get its financial house in order. An entire audit of budgets, organization, salaries, priorities is needed, followed by an a major restructuring and overhaul.
Our representatives should NEVER be lock step with unions! They represent us, the constituents! What a mess.
Based on the transcript provided, a lackluster presentation considering how much money is wasted and being asked for. 🤔 some actual numbers would be appreciated? Feels like the voters of Oakland are taken for granted here and disrespected when half of the mayors speech was about disinformation vs just laying it all out and letting them decide.
How is it legal for them to hold a rally on city property using city resources? I know folks can do stuff on personal time however this really is blurring the line. City atty should advise on a brighter line if city staff/officials are in attendance
"And if you taxpayers don't cough up, we'll strike! Don't forget that! We have a monopoly on certain essential services"
Wallethub released its list of 148 best and worst run cities. Oakland comes in at 146. SF is 148, if that’s any consolation.
What are the top 10 cities?
Provo Ut is #1. wallethub.com/ed
Interesting demographics…….
Homogeneous
Strong mayor
Who are these freaks? And what sort of person would vote for them?
As usual you disrespect the fact that community organizations were present! Pastor Dixon, oakland Rising Action, ACCE Action, APEN, Oakland Tenants, District 4 resident, School Board President , and labor. How disingenuous and disrespectful to the community reps to claim it was union rally. Apologize and make the correction.
Here's a truncated transcript of your comments at the rally (from a video shared on X).
"And I think it's time we acknowledge that the elites in our society are attacking working people nationally and locally. On the national level, Trump and his MAGA forces are seeking to defund veteran benefits. They want to defund the Department of Education. They're defunding health care. They're even trying to defund the post office. These are essential services. And we have yet to feel the hurt that will affect the most vulnerable in our communities from Trump's big, beautiful bill.
I see that the same billionaires and corporate real estate developers that seek to weaken the Police Commission are the same forces that are funding the "No On Measure E" campaign and using the same tactics of misinformation.
Misinformation like blaming civilian police oversight for not being able to solve crime or acting like it's all the employee unions that are draining the city budget. Let's be clear. It is not SEIU's maintenance workers overtime that's breaking the budget. It's not IFPTE's Department of Transportation workers overtime that's breaking the budget. The forces opposed in Measure E are not simply concerned residents asking neutral questions about tax policy. They are part of a broader effort to reshape Oakland's politics. Every service cut is used to claim progressive governance can't work.
Without Measure E, there will be more children locked out of rec centers, more potholes, less dispatchers, and more closures of firehouses."
Millie, thank you for your comment. As we reminded Pamela, the article shows the video and transcript of the mayor's remarks, and readers can decide for themselves what to think about it. The firefighters union president stood at the podium and introduced the rally while standing next to the mayor. The firefighters union held a large sign next to the podium that said "save our fire stations" emblazoned with their union logo. Other public union employees were standing behind them wearing their union logo shirts, and helping distribute campaign signs. Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated.
Millie, these are the EXACT same "coalition of community groups" that supported Sheng Thao during the recall — even after the FBI raided her house. Just like you did.
Anything to say about your support for Thao? Don’t deflect. Don’t dodge, Millie - why did you support Thao? What happened to Measure NN promises?
Oh I forgot to add to the community groups you left off - Wellstone Democratic Club and Block By Block
organizing Network . More community
Than labor
More Sheng Thao supporters… interesting. Why should we listen to any of you? You supported a corrupt mayor now facing serious federal charges tied to her administration.
Care to comment on your support for Thao, your support for Measure NN, and the broader policies that helped push Oakland into crisis?
Of course you don’t. I don’t talk to people who bootlick for corruption, like you did supporting Thao. I recalled Thao. A supermajority voted to recalled her as well as over 75% of Black voters. But you go awf sellout!
No
But we da talk about OPD’s overtime
https://www.oaklandreport.org/p/police-overtime-report-shows-net
Reminder - The Wellstone Democratic Club wanted to keep Sheng as mayor even when her corruption was known.
You didn’t list the community groups. Yes labor was present. Does that give you the right to leave off the community groups?
You sound desperate. We’d leave similar comments for Oaklandside too, but they don’t allow comments — probably because propaganda works better without public feedback.
Millie, FUCK YOU VERY MUCH
One community group I hope was there (but hasn’t been mentioned) is Oakland Community Land Trust. I’m hoping that Oakland Report will understand and appreciate in their writing the OCLT’s perspective.
you should retract this ridiculous headline. Neither the Mayor nor the unions held this rally. It was put on by a coalition of community groups. The firefighters showed up to show support. We asked Seth Olyer to co-chair with Chaney Turner. We are grateful for everything the firefighters do along with other unions and the Mayor. For just one post, try being factual instead of loading these up with spin, at best.
Pamela, thank you for your comment. The article shows the video and transcript of the mayor's remarks, and readers can decide for themselves what to think about it. The firefighters union president stood at the podium and introduced the rally while standing next to the mayor. The firefighters union held a large sign next to the podium that said "save our fire stations" emblazoned with their union logo. Other public union employees were standing behind them wearing their union logo shirts, and helping distribute campaign signs. The video cut off before you were called to speak. Thank you again for your comment; the discussion is appreciated.
The EXACT same "coalition of community groups" that supported Sheng Thao during the recall — even after the FBI raided her house. Just like you did.
Anything to say about your support for Thao? Don’t deflect. Don’t dodge, Drake.
I see 3 members of my IFPTE 21 leadership standing behind the mayor in union colors, and a firefighter's union banner, but I'm sure they just happened to be there at that precise moment. LMAO
*YOU* are one reason why Oakland is stuck in the abyss of dysfunction. You have never acknowledged that the ideas and executions by your friends (Quan, Sheng, Lee) are not correct or favorable to the majority of Oaklanders (Measures Y (Quan), NN, and now E).
Instead, you deflect by blaming Trump, Libby, or FOX RIGHT-WINGERS, and/or say that more taxes are needed.
Your friends have turned Oakland into an embarrassment and, for some reason, you are PROUD of this.