Why All Bay Activists Should Help Wilson Riles Defeat Jerry Brown

It's been three decades since an explosion of community organizing in this working class city precipitated the founding of the Black Panther Party, putting Oakland on the political map as never before and inspiring radical and revolutionary movements not just here, or across the country, but around the world. Later, when the Panthers ran Bobby Seale for Mayor of Oakland, it marked the beginning of the end for the town's old white power structure and ushered in an age of African American led urban administrations.

Something is quietly brewing in Oakland. Decades of organizing which has seen emergence of new community-based organizations, growth and maturity by established ones, and a new generation of activists, are beginning to come to fruition.

Wilson Riles, Jr. believes this year's election for Mayor of the East Bay's largest city on March 5, 2002, could turn out to be another historic juncture. He and his supporters believe it could mark a turning point for Oakland's progressive and left organizations and constituencies, while heralding in a new era for social justice movements and grassroots organizations.

It's not something you'd learn much about from the mainstream media, which has studiously stuck to the line that Jerry Brown is a shoe-in, not because they can cite a single poll to back that up, but because the local elites have recognized the threat to their power that Riles represents. However, activists in Oakland, you know the folks who actually bother to talk to the people on the street, at their workplace, and in their churches, will tell you that there is wide-spread opposition to Brown.

People resent the gentrification championed by Brown's policies, can't stand the military high school he created, and hate the fact that Brown has turned out to be just an another arrogant, elitist, aloof, white male, with no time for them, but lots of time to pursue his self-avowed twin interests of "hustling corporations" and "bringing wealthier people into Oakland".

In sharp contrast, Wilson Riles' longstanding commitment to supporting social movements and community organizing has brought an impressively broad coalition of grassroots organizations and activists into his campaign. For over twenty- five years Riles could be counted on to support progressive and left campaigns, whether they be local, national, or international. He has been there on all the great struggles, joining in the battles against racism, sexism, globalization, militarism, environmental destruction, and attacks on civil liberties.

Riles has been in Oakland fighting for social justice, participatory democracy, and sustainable people-oriented development. He served for thirteen years on the Oakland City Council, where he was often the lone progressive vote, and was Western Regional Director of the American Friends Service Committee for the last ten years.

Unafraid to take controversial public positions, Riles has often gone where most all politicians fear to tread. His opposition to the war in Afghanistan and his support for Mumia Abu Jamal are but recent examples. While normally mild-mannered, Riles has surprised even longtime supporters with the fire he's displayed in this campaign.

Part of what fuels Riles, and indeed what fires many Oakland activists, is that four years ago Riles was among those who endorsed Brown, believing as many did that Brown would be at least liberal, if not progressive. After one term, Brown has managed to alienate every progressive constituency, and virtually all activists, regardless of ideology.

If elected, Riles would put a real progressive in the Mayor's Office, and would, in fact, be the most progressive mayor of a major U.S. city in at least 50 years. It would be a national news story - the kind of news progressives sorely need.

Riles has pledged to open up City Hall and the resources of the Mayor's office, to hire community organizers for his staff, and to provide high profile support to grassroots organizing by the many and varied people's organizations and movements. Activists and just everyday Oakland folks would have unprecedented access to the Mayor' Office. This is why so many key progressive organizations including: Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), National Organization of Women, Black Radical Congress, Latino Democratic Club, Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club, Sierra Club, the teacher's union, Green Party, tenant's union, Grey Panthers, youth groups, and many others are backing Riles.

These organizations know that as Mayor, Riles would be of incalculable benefit to them in their work. And the benefit will not just to limited to Oakland, or the East Bay, but will be to the entire Bay Area and beyond. This is why, whatever kind of activist you are, whatever kind of progressive or left politics you're into, even if electoral politics isn't your bag, you've got a real interest in helping Wilson Riles win this election. No matter where you are in the Bay Area, or even elsewhere, you need to do something and you need to do it now, as the election is just days away.

The best way to plug into the campaign activities and to get materials is to contact the campaign by phone at (510) 763- 5934, or stop by the Headquarters at 2134 Broadway, in downtown Oakland. You'll find that there is a dedicated and experienced staff with a strategic plan and all kinds of activities for you to choose from.

If traditional campaigning and electoral politics isn't where you're at, find your own way to contribute through direct action, guerrilla theater, or something new. There are so many issues Brown has left himself vulnerable on. Pick one and hammer him.

Financial contributions are urgently needed to counter the corporate money Brown has. Checks should be made out to "Wilson Riles for Mayor" and sent to P.O. Box 417, Oakland, CA 94604. State law requires that you include your occupation and employer.

The Riles campaign has already won on many levels. It has brought together a diverse coalition behind a progressive African American leader. It developed a comprehensive cutting-edge progressive platform which can be a model for future campaigns. It then succeeded in bringing the Riles message to the public, reaching tens of thousands who are rarely exposed to such politics. The only question is whether Wilson Riles will actually win. Your help could push him over the top.

To find out more, and even donate on line, check out the campaign's web site at http://www.wilsonriles.org