By love-89.com In less than a month, Sheng Thao, the Asian American mayor of Oakland, will confront a recall vote. Recently, she held an anti-recall rally at the Rockridge BART station in North Oakland. Thao argues that this recall is a manifestation of anti-democratic maneuvers propelled by wealthy interest groups that unfairly hold her responsible for crime and various issues facing the city.
Supporters of Thao point to her notable achievements, which include successfully balancing the city budget, securing a partnership with an African American sports and entertainment group to renovate the Alameda County Coliseum, introducing a new baseball team, the Ballers, to West Oakland, and addressing rising violent crime.
Critics of Thao have previously linked the increase in crime to her administration and other progressive leaders. While her first year saw a spike in violent crime, this year has shown a promising decline. Thao highlights that before her tenure, Oakland averaged 120 homicides each year, but that number has fallen to below 100 since she took office.
Thao has taken aim at specific figures, notably hedge fund manager Philip Dreyfuss, who lives in Piedmont and is a financial backer of the recall. She stated, “This recall is financed by a hedge fund manager who doesn’t reside in Oakland, using his wealth to create divisions and distractions, harking back to an era when only the affluent and well-connected had a voice in this city. We can’t allow that to happen.”
Former Chinese American Mayor Jean Quan, who faced recall threats shortly after taking office, remarked that the efforts against Thao are part of a larger trend aimed at young, progressive leaders. “Issues like rent control, ranked-choice voting, and progressive environmental regulations are the primary targets of those advocating for the recall,” Quan explained.
Ray Bobbit, head of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, declared that the recall threatens democratic principles, particularly regarding how it has been initiated. “If anyone wants to challenge Mayor Thao, they should do it democratically in the next election and see if they can win,” Bobbit urged.
The organizers of the recall have pointed to Thao’s decision to terminate Sheriff LeRonne Armstrong in February 2023 as a major impetus for their actions. Pastor Billy Dixon, leader of East Oakland’s At Thy Word Ministries, has publicly supported Thao’s decision to dismiss Armstrong.