Oakland Residents Demand Accountability and Change

We are on the ground in Oakland, CA and some neighborhoods are an absolute disaster. A sense of lawlessness overwhelms the streets. But Seneca Scott is leading a movement that could help bring in a new mayor and turn around this failing city.

Transcript

Imagine dealing with the worst homeless crisis in the Bay area, crime spiraling out of control, and a public school system in shambles.

This is a daily reality for Oakland, California.

Certain neighborhoods are packed with visible poverty and overrun by a culture of lawlessness.

Gun violence and robberies recently forced the beloved In-N-Out Burger to close its only restaurant in Oakland.

The Defund the Police Movement fueled by far-left activists has led to a shortage of officers.

And making matters worse, this city’s lost three professional sports teams just in the past few years.

While nearby San Francisco appears to be on the comeback trail with a new mayor, Oakland’s mayor was recalled and is now under federal indictment for alleged corruption.

Community organizer Seneca Scott helped push Sheng Thao out of office, with a grassroots campaign that captured constituent anger, and weaponizing it into political change.

“You know, we always told everyone that Sheng Thao was corrupt,” says Scott. “We got her, bro. We’ve been vindicated.”

Scott says the level of government fraud, mismanagement, and neglect under the Thao administration has set his city back several years.

“You just gotta take them out,” Scott says further. “You’ve got to remove the political influence. Easiest way to do it is to actually truly address the needs of the working class.”

Scott showed me the proof, by taking me through one of the worst RV encampments that’s been allowed to flourish unchecked for years.

He says the city won’t be able to move forward if this indifference continues.

“We have less than 24%, we have about 23% voter turnout. We’ve got to change that. We’ve got to get people voting.”

But Scott also says there’s nowhere else to go but up, and is already mobilizing his team for the next mayoral election in April, which could make or break the city.

“And I also want people with integrity,” explains Scott. “I want people who share values, so we’re calling on people who voted for the recall.”

The two front runners are former Congresswoman Barbara Lee and former Oakland Councilmember Loren Taylor.

And they couldn’t be any more different on the Democratic spectrum.

Lee is a progressive and wants universal basic income for the homeless and is against encampment sweeps.

Taylor is seen as more pragmatic, and has promised to clear out tents and RVs and plans to be tougher on criminals by using drones and street cameras to enforce the law.

We were unable to reach them for comment.

Regardless, salon owner Charlotte Smith says a new leader must come in and focus first on public safety, just like San Francisco.

“I know Oakland’s going to come back. We’re a very resilient city,” Smith says.

And this time around, work closer with the community that’s now demanding accountability, change, and a consistent voice at the table to help unlock Oakland’s potential that’s been squandered for so many years, and to set its trajectory forward for a better future.

“Why did you decide to keep your business here, despite everything?” I ask Smith.

“Every major city has its ups and downs,” Smith explains, “but this place has a flavor unlike any other place. So whether it’s going up, it’s going down, it’s going to mellow itself out, like the stock market, it’s going to mellow itself out. That’s just the resilience.”