Oakland At-Large Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan wrote that I did not call for charges against Najari Smith to be dropped. That is not true. Dear Councilmember Kaplan, Thank you for sharing your concern for Mr. Najari Smith and the issues that his arrest and jailing raise about police enforcement and racial disparities in Oakland. As you … Read more
Oakland Councilmember At-Large Rebecca Kaplan calls on Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf and Oakland Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick to drop all charges against bicycle advocate Najari Smith. On August 3rd, Najari Smith, a leader of the Richmond community cycling organization Rich City Rides, was arrested during a peaceful group bike ride in Oakland. While the ride … Read more
Oakland Police accused of racism, again. The Oakland Police arrest of Najari Smith of the popular Rich City Rides, is rapidly disolving into yet another set of claims that the Oakland Police Department is racist as the story spreads around the Internet and around mobile devices. But before we continue, what is “Rich City Rides”? … Read more