MGO Meeting on Tuesday, January 11, 7:30 p.m. A Conversation with Judge LaDoris Cordell
| Hello MGO Members and Friends: Judge LaDoris Cordell was the first African American woman to sit on the Superior Court in Northern California and is also a former Independent Police Auditor for the City of San Jose. During her many years of service on the court she saw firsthand how prejudice has permeated the legal system, but she still believes in that system. She will provide an insider account, sharing stories of the cases that came through her courtroom and revealing the strengths, flaws, and much-needed changes within our courts. This presentation, which coincides with the publication of her new book, Her Honor—My Life on the Bench, What Works, What’s Broken, and How to Change It, will take you into her chambers where she haggles with prosecutors and defense attorneys and into the courtroom during jury selection and sentencing hearings. She will also use real cases to highlight how judges make difficult decisions while facing outside pressures from the media, law enforcement, lobbyists, and the friends and families of the people involved. Her account of her years on the bench shines light on all areas of the legal system, from juvenile delinquency and the shift from rehabilitation to punishment, along with the racial biases therein, to the thousands of plea bargains that allow our overburdened courts to stay afloat—as long as innocent people are willing to plead guilty. (The above introduction was excerpted from publisher’s information and edited for this announcement.) This event will be from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Register/join the meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrf-6hrDMtHNUjjmXBmVsZWxIgz14RGwg9 To join by phone: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 826 8792 8761 Passcode: 313751 Happy New Year to everyone! |
MGO Meeting, Tuesday, November 9, 7:30 p.m. A Discussion on State & Local Redistricting
| Hello MGO Members and Friends: As you know, voting district lines are currently being redrawn to follow the population changes reflected in the 2020 Census . The results of the redistricting can change the distribution of political power for the next ten years. MGO VP Alfred Twu will lead a review and discussion of the process and criteria for redistricting, the proposed maps and how you can provide input. The links below will get you to the drafts maps of major government units being redrawn in our area. We will focus on the drafts of the City of Oakland, State Assembly and State Senate maps. Statewide Preliminary visualizations released in October. Draft maps will be released by Nov. 15th, followed by additional meetings. Final maps will be approved by late December. https://www.wedrawthelinesca.org/ Alameda County Board is currently holding meetings, final map will be approved in early December. https://redistricting2021.acgov.org/ City of Oakland Workshops and meetings are happening now. Final map will be approved by Dec. 31st. https://www.oaklandca.gov/boards-commissions/redistricting-commission AC Transit Redistricting workshops are planned in January and public hearings will be held in March 2022. https://www.actransit.org/ward-redistricting BART In October 2021, the BART Board approved a consultant contract to assist in the redistricting process, which has to be completed by April 2022. This event will be from 7:30 pm to 9pm. Register/join the meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pcuGoqz0rEtKhQB7_pp5LMA8Df8P2FL-d To join by phone: 1-669-900-6833 Meeting ID: 894 5805 6186 Passcode: 599581 |
October 12 Meeting Announcment
| Next MGO Meeting on Tuesday, October 12, 7:30 p.m. Updates from Oakland Chief of Police LeRonne Armstrong |
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Please join the MGO Democratic Club for updates and Q&A with Oakland Chief of Police LeRonne Armstrong. Chief Armstrong will cover topics such as how the police department is addressing changes in crime since the start of the pandemic, funding and staffing, and how the department interacts with the public, the Police Commission, the mayor, and other parts of city government. There will be a presentation followed by questions and answers.
This event will be from 7:30 pm to 9pm. Register/join the meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvf-CsrDMrH9wUiAkBL0JxvWCSSqXNhJEr
The Metropolitan-Greater Oakland Democratic Club (MGO) is the oldest Democratic club in Oakland, and has been involved in Oakland politics and public policy for over 60 years.
Save the Date: Next MGO Meeting on Tuesday, August 3, 8:30 p.m: Stop the Republican Recall
Learn how to get involved in the effort to stop the Republican attempt to recall Governor Gavin Newsom.
This event will be from 8:30 pm to 9pm. Register/join the meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkd-2vqjIsG9QZgICyd18pSU4TNoWTzY0E
Note that we are meeting the first week of August instead of the normal 2nd Tuesday. The candidate forum for the two Democrats, Mia Bonta and Janani Ramachandran, who will be on the ballot for the Assembly District 18 runoff election has been moved to Wednesday, August 18..
Metropolitan-Greater Oakland Democratic Club
Presenting Local Government–Keeping It Accountable–Promoting Democratic Values
July 13 Meeting Announcement
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Next MGO Meeting on Tuesday, July 13, 7:30 p.m. Updates from Oakland City Auditor Courtney Ruby  |
Courtney Ruby was re-elected as Oakland’s City Auditor on November 6, 2018 and sworn into office on January 7, 2019. She previously served as Oakland’s City Auditor for eight years, between 2007 and 2014.
During her tenure, she turned around a troubled agency and made it a model of accountability, transparency, and results. The office was honored in 2014 with a national award for its work and Courtney was named one of the most influential professionals in government auditing. This event will be from 7:30 pm to 9pm. Register/join the meeting at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcof-GrrjsvHtyvA0QOfGllSKxlhRzzZfzT
The Metropolitan-Greater Oakland Democratic Club (MGO) is the oldest Democratic club in Oakland, and has been involved in Oakland politics and public policy for over 60 years.
Metropolitan-Greater Oakland Democratic Club
Presenting Local Government–Keeping It Accountable–Promoting Democratic Values
Metropolitan Greater Oakland Democratic Club 