Activism

Black Women Leaders: Newsom Is Turning His Back on Karen Bass for Mayor

California’s Gov. Gavin Newsom has been quiet on the Democrat versus Democrat Los Angeles mayoral race. Bass, who is running to be the first Black Woman Mayor of the second largest city in the country, was endorsed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in an August 2 joint statement. Bass is facing billionaire and Republican-turned-Democrat Rick Caruso in a runoff election in November.

Published

2 years ago

October 23, 2022

Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

U.S. Rep. Karen Bass is running for mayor in Los Angeles.

By Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌ | ‌California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌

Black Women Organized for Political Action PAC (BWOPA-PAC), California Black Women’s Collective PAC and Black women leaders throughout the state are calling out Gov. Gavin Newsom for not endorsing Congressmember Karen Bass (D-CA-37) for Los Angeles Mayor.

The individuals and organizations said in a letter that they had “watched Governor Newsom issue his support to local and statewide candidates for this upcoming November general election,” but he has not indicated he would be supporting Bass.

“Black Women went all in to support Governor Newsom during the recall with Congressmember Bass leading the way. We showed up and came out while other groups stayed home. We also led the charge to pull together our allies that rallied counterparts throughout California for Women Against the Recall. And yet…we haven’t seen much change in his actions,” the October 16 letter stated.

In August 2021, Bass, members of the group calling itself Women Against the Recall (WAR), and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-37), held a news conference to openly support Newsom in the recall election held Sept. 14, 2021.

Newsom survived the political action and many Black women in the state are asking him to acknowledge their assistance.

“He stated that he supports Black women, but his administration doesn’t demonstrate that he wants us at his decision-making table. He selectively supports Black women candidates even when they have overwhelming support from the party leaders and our community like in the case of Congressmember Bass,” the coalition stated.

Gov. Newsom has not endorsed any candidate running for mayor of Los Angeles in the November election, but he recently lent support to a Democrat running for State Senator.

On October 8, Angelique Ashby announced in a written statement that Newsom endorsed her candidacy for State Senate District 8. Ashby currently represents Sacramento City Council District 1 and serves as vice mayor of the City of Sacramento.

“Angelique will be the first woman elected to the State Senate from the Sacramento region in more than two decades; she’ll bring years of experience advocating for women – especially their right to privacy, the ability to make their own healthcare decisions and the fundamental right to an abortion,” Newsom said in a statement released by Ashby. “We need Angelique’s energy, perspective, and results-driven leadership in the State Senate. Please join me in supporting her.”

“Governor Newsom has been on the frontlines of many righteous fights,” said Ashby. “I look forward to fighting alongside him in the Capitol. It is an honor to earn the support of someone who shares the same passion I have for serving our communities,” Ashby said.

Educator and community organizer Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) is a Black candidate running for Senate District 28 against fellow Democrat and Black civil rights attorney Cheryl C. Turner.

Smallwood-Cuevas says that “Newsom has made his call on this race.” He is endorsing her.

But Newsom has been quiet on the Democrat versus Democrat Los Angeles mayoral race. Bass, who is running to be the first Black Woman Mayor of the second largest city in the country, was endorsed by President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in an August 2 joint statement.

Bass is facing billionaire and Republican-turned-Democrat Rick Caruso in a runoff election in November.

As the mayoral race gets closer to the election, some Bass supporters are baffled by Newsom’s reluctance to announce an endorsement in her favor.

A poll released by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies (IGS) conducted in September had Bass ahead of Caruso 34% to 31%. Bass was leading her adversary by 12% during the summer.

The California Black Women’s Collective, Black Women Organized for Political Action, Los Angeles African American Women’s Political Action Committee, and allies inked an “open letter” stating their allegiance to U.S. Congressmember Karen Bass and all Black women.

The Black women’s groups released the letter of support after Bass’ Baldwin Vista home was broken into in mid-September. Two people have been arrested, but the incident raised concerns about Bass’ safety, they say.

“Black women are more likely to be victims of crimes than our female counterparts, according to The Status of Black Women in the United States report by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research,” the open letter stated. “Protecting ourselves is a matter of survival. Yet, when we are the victim of crimes, our calls for help are often ignored and even questioned by those who are charged with protecting and serving the community.”

Considering their support for Newsom in the past, the Black women’s organizations stated in their letter that choosing Bass “should be an easy choice” for the governor. They also said that it is “unacceptable to ask for our support but then turn your back on us when it matters the most.”

“(Bass) has demonstrated that she is the best one who will focus on bringing the state’s largest city together and move it forward for everyone,” the letter stated. “Which side of history do you want to be on, Governor?”

Antonio Ray Harvey, California Black Media

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

2 days ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

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Activism

‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org