Jerry Brown presents himself as a “progressive” but its hard to imagine even a Republican mayor reacting as harshly against those who disagree with his views. Jerry pretends to oppose Bush and even the war in the Gulf but his justification for the use of force on April 7th was “national security” associated with the use of the Oakland docks. Jerry also pushed the creation of a military academy for Oakland school kids and is still coming into conflict with teachers unions over his support for more charter schools. Jerry’s strong arm tactics on many issues makes him dangerous as a mayor and probably even more dangerous if he becomes California attorney general in 3 years.

“OAKLAND -- A videotape provided by Oakland police of an April 7 protest at the Port of Oakland does little to dispel the image that officers overreacted by firing bean bags, wooden dowels and stinger-grenades at protesters who blocked truck traffic at the APL terminal.
In the aftermath, Police Chief Richard Word defended his department. He said officers only fired on the crowd after protesters threw rocks and other objects at them.
But the video, shot by an internal affairs investigator and released by the city in response to a public records act request by the ACLU and The Oakland Tribune, doesn't show objects being thrown at police, or any other type of physical attack against officers.”
5/13/2003 Alameda Times Star
http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~1486~1388055,00.html

“OAKLAND -- The school board laid off about 330 teachers, counselors and others Monday to balance next year's budget -- a goal school district leaders say cannot be reached without salary cuts, more layoffs, or both.”
5/13/2003 Oakland Tribune
http://www.oaklandtribune.com/Stories/0,1413,82~1865~1388027,00.html

“OAKLAND - In the nearly three years since a band of renegade officers known as the "Riders" were taken off the crime-ridden streets of West Oakland, new policies were implemented, civil suits were settled and dozens of drug cases were tossed out.…Keith Batt, a rookie who says he was shocked by the Riders' immoral and illegal methods on the "dogwatch" or overnight shift, turned in the four Oakland police officers. Three are now on trial for beating, randomly accosting and searching suspects, and concocting police reports to cover their tracks. A fourth fled the country.“
5/4/2003 Contra Costa Times
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/news/5782531.htm