City Government
Schaaf’s “Trump-like” Answer, She Denies Saying What She Said – But There Is Video Proof
Mayor Libby Schaaf (left) listens as Councilmember Desley Brooks criticizes her administration for closing neighborhood career centers, speaking at the April 26, 2016 CED committee meeting. Photo by Tulio Ospina.
Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, speaking last week to a predominately Black audience, denied she had said she opposes Desley Brooks’ pre-apprenticeship job training proposal. However, the mayor was recorded in a television news interview accusing Brooks of undermining democracy by building up unrealistic hopes for jobs among Black and Latinos who wish to enter the construction trades.
Mayor Schaaf was questioned while she was speaking at an event hosted last Thursday by the Oakland Branch of the NAACP. Oakland Post Publisher Paul Cobb asked the mayor about her statement in the media that “we should not build up people’s hopes about the possibility of construction jobs,” said Cobb.
“She said, ‘I never said that. There you go again,’” according to Cobb.
However, in an interview on CBS Bay Area and 5KPIX, posted on April 13, Mayor Schaaf said, “To raise the hopes of residents that something like this can get done when the actual basis of the proposal is not possible under existing law is deceptive to residents,” Schaaf said. “And it is harmful to our democracy.”
The news program can be viewed online
Brooks proposal offers four different alternatives for the city to fund pre-apprenticeship training. The City Attorney has not issued a public opinion on the proposal, and Mayor Schaaf has not explained the basis for saying the proposed ordinance is not legal.
Brooks based her proposal on an existing city law, the “Percent for the Arts” ordinance, which requires developers to pay a small amount to help fund public arts projects.
Following up on Cobb’s question, activist Carroll Fife asked Mayor Schaaf to “explain how you compare a Black woman, Councilmember Desley Brooks, to a president who is a racist, sexist, warmongering sexual predator.”
“Schaaf replied: ‘Those were not my words,’” according to Fife.
However, in the television interview Mayor Schaaf said Brooks “is the councilmember who by others in the public has been nicknamed the Donald Trump of Oakland,” and went on to vigorously agree with the statement.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
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.
Activism
Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 19 – 25, 2025
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.
Activism
IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
William “Bill” Patterson, 94, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025, at his home in Oakland, CA. He was born on May 19, 1931, to Marie Childress Patterson and William Benjamin Patterson in Little Rock, Arkansas. He graduated from Dunbar High School and traveled to Oakland, California, in 1948. William Patterson graduated from San Francisco State University, earning both graduate and undergraduate degrees. He married Euradell “Dell” Patterson in 1961. Bill lovingly took care of his wife, Dell, until she died in 2020.
Bill devoted his life to public service and education. In 1971, he became the founding director for the Peralta Community College Foundation, he also became an administrator for Oakland Parks and Recreation overseeing 23 recreation centers, the Oakland Zoo, Children’s Fairyland, Lake Merritt, and the Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center.
He served on the boards of Oakland’s Urban Strategies Council, the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, and the Oakland Workforce Development Board.
He was a three-term president of the Oakland branch of the NAACP.
Bill was initiated in the Gamma Alpha chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
In 1997 Bill was appointed to the East Bay Utility District Board of Directors. William Patterson was the first African American Board President and served the board for 27 years.
Bill’s impact reached far beyond his various important and impactful positions.
Bill mentored politicians, athletes and young people. Among those he mentored and advised are legends Joe Morgan, Bill Russell, Frank Robinson, Curt Flood, and Lionel Wilson to name a few.
He is survived by his son, William David Patterson, and one sister, Sarah Ann Strickland, and a host of other family members and friends.
A celebration of life service will take place at Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center (Calvin Simmons Theater) on November 21, 2025, at 10 AM.
His services are being livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1250167107131991/
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Euradell and William Patterson scholarship fund TBA.
WORK FROM HOME
Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540
Seth Curry Makes Impressive Debut with the Golden State Warriors
LIHEAP Funds Released After Weeks of Delay as States and the District Rush to Protect Households from the Cold
Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections
Seven Steps to Help Your Child Build Meaningful Connections
Teens Reject Today’s News as Trump Intensifies His Assault on the Press
Thanksgiving Celebrated Across the Tri-State
Breaking the Silence: Black Veterans Speak Out on PTSD and the Path to Recovery
Trinidad and Tobago – Prime Minister Confirms U.S. Marines Working on Tobago Radar System
‘Tis the Season: Festive Holiday Pop-ups Happening Around Atlanta
IN MEMORIAM: Mardelle Walker, 101
Oakland Post: Week of November 26 – December 2, 2025
‘Targeted’ Shooting of Two National Guardsmen Blocks From the White House
Meet Roxanne Brown, The First African American And The First Woman President Of The United Steelworkers
Tax Refunds Expected to Rise by About $1,000 Next Year
CFP Rankings: Top Five Remains Unchanged; Major Decision Looms for Lane Kiffin
Oakland School Board Proposes Budget Solutions to Avoid State or County Takeover
A Call to Save Liberty Hall: Oakland’s Beacon of Black Heritage Faces an Uncertain Future
Port of Oakland September Cargo Volumes Dip Amid Shifting Trade Patterns
Oakland Post: Week of October 22 – 28, 2025
Prescribing Prevention: Doctors Turn to Lifestyle, Herbs and Veggies to Protect Against Chronic Illness in Black Californians
Mayor Lee Responds to OPD Chief Floyd Mitchell’s Decision to Resign
Past, Present, Possible! Oakland Residents Invited to Reimagine the 980 Freeway
Oakland Post: Week of October 29 – November 4, 2025
California Teachers Association Rallies Behind Prop. 50: A Stand for Education and Democracy
Man Arrested for Making Death Threats Against Mayor Barbara Lee
Essay: Intentional Self Care and Community Connections Can Improve Our Wellbeing
Oakland Post: Week of November 12 – 18, 2025
Oakland Post: Week of November 5 – 11, 2025
IN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
MLK Way at 57th Street in Oakland Renamed Bobby Seale Way for Black Panther Co-Founder
Hyundai Ioniq 5 Parking, Safety, and 360 View #shorts
2025 Ioniq 5 New Wiper & Powerful Performance! #shorts
Electric SUV Range: Is 259 Miles Enough? #shorts
EV Charging: How Fast Can You Charge an Electric Vehicle? #shorts
Biometric Cooling… Messaging Seats…Come on! 2025 Infiniti QX80 Autograph 4WD
Charged Up: Witness the Magic of a Fully Electric Car! #shorts
Range Rover Sport PHEV Included…: See What’s Inside This Luxury SUV! #shorts
Invisible Hood View: Perfect Parking with X-Ray Vision! #shorts
AI Is Reshaping Black Healthcare: Promise, Peril, and the Push for Improved Results in California
ESSAY: Technology and Medicine, a Primary Care Point of View
Sanctuary Cities
The RESISTANCE – FREEDOM NOW
STATE OF THE PEOPLE: Freddie
ECONOMIC BOYCOTT DAY!!!!!
I told You So
-
Activism3 weeks agoOakland Post: Week of November 12 – 18, 2025
-
Activism3 weeks agoIN MEMORIAM: William ‘Bill’ Patterson, 94
-
Activism3 weeks agoHow Charles R. Drew University Navigated More Than $20 Million in Fed Cuts – Still Prioritizing Students and Community Health
-
Bay Area3 weeks agoNo Justice in the Justice System
-
#NNPA BlackPress3 weeks agoThe Perfumed Hand of Hypocrisy: Trump Hosted Former Terror Suspect While America Condemns a Muslim Mayor
-
#NNPA BlackPress2 weeks agoTrump’s Death Threat Rhetoric Sends Nation into Crisis
-
#NNPA BlackPress4 weeks agoProtecting Pedophiles: The GOP’s Warped Crusade Against Its Own Lies
-
#NNPA BlackPress2 weeks agoLewis Hamilton set to start LAST in Saturday Night’s Las Vegas Grand Prix
