Local progressive organizations held a press conference in Oakland on Friday to oppose the impeachment of Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price.
Since the FBI raid, few allies have publicly expressed support for the embattled Mayor Thao, but the groups involved said they still believe in Thao as she fights for her political career.
“Sheng is the mayor we need right now,” said Pamela Drake of the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club.
“The problem in Oakland didn’t just start with this mayor, she’s very new, very new. This problem has been going on for 20, 30 years,” said Dwayne McCarther, an Oakland native.
Outside an East Oakland gym, McCarther, 71, said he has not yet made a decision on Thao’s recall.
“All I can say is that the people of Oakland are angry because nothing has changed since she took office,” McCarther said.
He called the FBI’s recent raid on Thao’s home disturbing.
“The verdict isn’t even in yet, but I know something is up when the FBI comes to her house. Trust me, they don’t come for nothing.”
“There’s a lot of things that don’t look good, like the FBI going to her house and things like that,” said Di’Niko Bates, an Oakland native.
Oakland Rising Action and the Wellstone Democratic Renewal Club are two progressive groups hoping to convince undecided voters to vote against impeachment in November.
“The FBI searched our mayor’s house, absolutely, it’s going to raise a question in their minds. How do we move forward? I think we need to focus on Oakland, right?” said Evelyn Torres, the executive director of Oakland Rising Action.
“Things are getting better, but she’s only been in office for 18 months. So if she’s starting to make things better, and I think she really is, why change now?” Drake asked.
Supporters said crime is down under Thao’s leadership compared to last year, which they said was very high.
“For a lot of us, it feels good to get back out there. They’ve done a lot of work to make the city center friendlier and safer,” Drake said.
But some voters disagree and have already formed their opinions.
“We need a new mayor, she sucks,” said Oakland resident Sabrina Hardin. “We have crime, why are they going to her house? Why are they investigating her?”
As for McCarther, he’s still waiting for answers about the FBI investigation. But one thing is clear to him.
“Oakland has really gone downhill,” McCarther said.
Thao supporters admit the FBI raid doesn’t look good. But with three months to go until the November general election, they plan to keep talking to undecided voters.
