Quan: Mehserle Protest 'Investigation' Is Spin
Mayoral candidate accuses opponent, police union of playing politics
Oakland City Council member Jean Quan fired a shot Thursday at her rival in the city's mayoral race, former State Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, saying his political allies spread false claims that she and fellow City Council member Rebecca Kaplan, who is also running for mayor, should be charged with civil unrest at last week’s Oscar Grant protest.
Kaplan and Quan, who can be seen positioning themselves between police and protesters in numerous recordings of the demonstration (including one by this reporter that has been cited in their defense), have said they did not interfere with police, and were attending as peacekeepers.
Quan said she spoke on Thursday with Oakland Police Chief Anthony Batts, who assured her that no criminal investigation has been launched, outside of a general inquiry into the night’s events, during which hundreds of protesters and police flooded the streets of downtown Oakland. An Oakland Police Department spokesperson confirmed that there is no specific investigation of Kaplan and Quan, only a general investigation of the incident.
Media reports of an “investigation” into the council members’ actions were trumped up, a result of “the spin by the [Oakland Police Officers Association],” the police union that has endorsed Perata’s mayoral campaign, Quan said.
“There’s no charges against us,” Quan said in an interview Thursday. “That’s the Perata headline: ‘Jean Quan investigated by police.’ There’s no investigation. It’s easy for him to play politics with the public safety of the city,” Quan said.
The Perata campaign shot back.
"If they get charged with obstructing justice, inciting to riot or failure to obey a law officer during an emergency, they can attempt the 'Don-made-me-do-it' defense," Perata said through a spokesperson. "Both were grandstanding. Both violated their oath of office and the city charter, and broke laws that would have led to the arrest of any other citizen."
Dom Arotzarena, president of the OPOA, also disputed the implication.
“Right now we don’t care about the mayor’s race,” Arotzarena said. “I just lost 80 officers. What mayoral candidates do and what council members do is none of my business.”
The Bay Area chapter of the National Lawyers Guild alleged yesterday that police used excessive force at the protest. Arotzarena also disputed that claim.
“When this thing went down I believe there was probably more reporters and more cameras than there were cops,” Arotzarena said. “Show me one picture and one video of police misconduct.”
The OPOA put out a robocall last month urging residents to call Quan and protest the 80 police layoffs, which went into effect this week. Kaplan has also been the subject of attacks from a law enforcement organization connected to Perata—the state prison guard’s union. That union indirectly funded mailers criticizing Kaplan’s involvement in the police layoffs, which she voted against.
Quan had more harsh words for Perata, who has not been subject to the same scrutiny as Quan and Kaplan — who recently voted on the unpopular layoffs — and who has not participated in debates.
"That’s the thing with the long, slanderous campaign—they never have to prove anything," Quan said. "They just keep throwing dirt and throwing dirt.”
James Brooks
Look, politics aside, (as hard as that is for everyone) If Quan hadn't been part of the human chain that was blocking the police from breaking up the riot she won't have to worry about being investigated. I'm sure Perata isn't sad she in hot water but that doesn't mean he put her there. She did this to herself.
First she cuts 80 of the cops' jobs and then she has the nerve to try and tell them how to break up that riot.... I'd be pissed too.
Oakland is a dangerous place and I would like a Mayor who gets along with the police, not one who tries to tell them how to do their jobs.
zale james
Let's get the record straight...First of all, those 80 officers didn't have to hit the streets if they would agree to give their share of the pension until such time that Oakland is financially sound. I appreciate Jean for not catering to the Unions. There comes a point where the Unions have to stand down and face reality! I'm sure Ms Quan has Oaklands best welfare at heart. The streets are still safe. Out of the 700 plus officers only 170 work the streets. There will be no less officers on the street. In addition, there are other law enforcement agencies that can help out.
Pete Chrismont
Parks links to his other story about the antics of Quan & Kaplan and he himself states they put themselves purposely between police & the rioters (stop calling them protestors - protestors don't steal shoes & break windows to get justice, that's BS and you know it). The cops ordered disbursement - Quan & Kaplan not only ignored but interfered the law - you said they PUT THEMSELVES BETWEEN POLICE & PROTESTORS, Parks? So they broke one law AND a second by interfering with the police. You don't like cops, Parks, that's obvious. But then I guess life in Ontario was just SO HARD, with all that whiteness around you, you have no clue what it's like to be assaulted, robbed, threatened by the scum that lives in Oakland. I have become so disgusted with Quan and Kaplan, I'm breaking my own rule of staying out of politics and I'm sending 100 bucks to Perata My new motto is ANYONE BUT QUAPLAN FOR MAYOR.