""Stop political violence! Stop political violence!" they chanted in front of Hayward City on Tuesday. The call is to defend democracy and protect civic spaces, says activist Edward Escobar. "There has been death threat against the Mayor Barbara Lee of Oakland. And you remember the Paul Pelosi, who was attacked by a hammer by individuals who are trying to make political statement," says Edward Escobar, with the Coalition for Community Engagement, which organized the rally."
"Activists are concerned about rising political violence here in the Bay Area. They argue this isn't about left verves right, but right verses wrong. They are also concerned about stifling free speech, such as during City Council meetings. "If you are frustrated and you're feeling that you need to commit violence - please don't. Just come back with better arguments, better facts, better things to support what you are saying," suggests Tom Wong, a mayoral candidate for the City of Hayward."
An El Cerrito man faces hate crime charges for allegedly sending racist and threatening emails to Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, including threats to torture and kill her; he is being held at Santa Rita Jail. Bay Area activists rallied in Hayward demanding an end to political violence and urging protection of democracy and civic spaces. Organizers cited death threats and the Paul Pelosi hammer attack as examples prompting action. Activists expressed concern about stifled free speech at City Council meetings and framed the issue as right versus wrong. Local leaders urged nonviolence, civility, and police presence at meetings as deterrence and protection.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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