Oakland Settles Police Attacks in Port

Oakland Settles Police Attacks in Port

Dear Friends,

After a loooong City Council meeting last night with much pomp and ceremony and even some serious stuff like the Oakland teachers (OEA) appealing to the Council to intervene with the recalcitrant (School) District over their contract lest they strike, a vote was finally taken on the proposed settlement stemming from the police attack on anti-war demonstrators and longshore workers in the port on April 7, 2003. Those familiar with Oakland politics opined that the reason a settlement is finally getting voted on is because elections are coming up in November and the election campaigns will be getting into full swing shortly. City Council President Ignacio de la Fuente is running for Oakland mayor, with the support of most of the City Counci members, and his mentor Mayor Jerry Brown is after the State Attorney General job. Both supported the cops throughout this lengthy ordeal and neither lent any support to the rights of anti-war protesters or longshore workers who were shot and beaten. The only name listed on the agenda was Sri Louise as was her settlement, none of the others were except ILWU Local 10, but no settlement was listed for the union.

After one newspaper reporter pointed out that the agenda was confusing and had mentioned a "closed" (i.e. secret) meeting and that the business conducted in that meeting had to be made public, it was announced that a total of 59 plaintiffs had originally sued the City of Oakland. 47 cases had been settled before the "closed" meeting. They proposed a settlement of the remaining 12 for $393,750. The total settlement cost, according to reliable legal sources, is pegged at $2,000,000. After the City politicians pay their legal expenses, including their high-priced attorney, the total cost to we, who live and work in Oakland, will likely be over $3,000,000. This does not include the money spent to mobilize the police to attack anti-war demonstrators (partially subsidized by Bush's Homeland Security!). Do you think the City Council in its wisdom ever considered using that money instead to keep Oakland schools and classes open and pay teachers what they deserve?! Will this monetary settlement stop police brutality? Will Jerry Brown and Ignacio de la Fuente begin defending civil liberties and vehemently opposing this bloody war now that election time is approaching? If you think so, I've got a bridge across the bay to sell you............ if it ever gets built.

Thanks to all those who showed up to the City Council meeting to show support, teachers, ILWU members, and especially the striking Northwest aircraft mechanics.

La lutta continua,
Jack