A group of 18 activists and neighbors from Districts 2 and 3 say that Aimee Allison is needed on the City Council to move city leadership in a progressive, pro-community direction.

The undersigned are a group of local community folks (business owners, preservationists and community activists) from all over the Lake Merritt area that want change in Oakland. Static abounds in these final days of the campaign — but Councilmember Nancy Nadel brings the real issues home in her recent speech reprinted below. This election is about moving city leadership in a progressive, pro-community direction. Business as usual has not served us well — not only do we lack a cohesive vision from City Hall, the central leadership of the City Council is under investigation regarding alleged insider deals.

That’s why we cast a vote for Ron Dellums or Nancy Nadel back in June. But the political reality is that we need Aimee Allison to make a new day possible. She has the courage, conviction and independence it’s going to take. And city hall experience isn’t the be-all, end-all. Remember that Nancy Pelosi and Willie Brown were impactful public servants that came in with fresh perspectives, new blood and no prior experience.

So when you read Councilmember Nadel’s recent campaign rally speech, think about the reasons that we need Aimee on the City Council. And then go vote Tuesday, November 7th.

From a speech given by District 3 City Council member Nancy Nadel at a campaign mobilization gathering for Aimee Allison on Sunday, October 29, 2006:

Oakland is – at its heart – a progressive city. Unfortunately for voters, the electorate is far more progressive than the council. Supporting Aimee is a step toward getting the council to be reflective of the real spirit of Oakland voters. Elected officials are no different from any other human being. They are pulled by their core values as if connected by a bungie cord. Oakland needs Aimee’s core progressive values on the council:

• Aimee recognizes that the most powerful tool against crime and violence is employment and education. She is another vote to deal with critical topics like parolees and better programs for young people, two parts of the public safety issue that haven’t been talked about.
• Aimee knows that the poor are getting poorer and that trickle down doesn’t work. Direct investments in lifting people out of poverty are part of Aimee’s core values, not just giving low-income folks a crumb while the wealthy get a double portion.
• Aimee sees the connection between mistakes in our federal agenda and the problems we have here at home.
  She is an anti-war activist who not only goes to a demonstration against the war, but has worked to prevent our youth from sacrificing themselves in a pointless battle.
• Aimee sees the importance of saving industrial land for industry. She will not be swayed by the big developers… because she has stood firmly on her principles and does not accept contributions from big business interests.

Politics is often the art of compromise — but the compromise doesn’t have to be heart-wrenching if the policymakers are closely aligned and their principles are rooted in the values of a sustainable city: with equity, opportunity and prosperity for all.

This race is the first step in building a council that is reflective of the voters. After Aimee wins, we need to gear up to run candidates in the next election who will also represent the electorate, and not be pulled toward a conservatism that is not the heart of the people of Oakland.

I want to thank you all for coming out today and for taking time out of your busy schedules to support the
true progressive in the race for District 2: Aimee Allison.