TBS Today, Dec. 6
We spent Tuesday night at the Berkeley City Council meeting planning to hear about traffic safety and the city's effort to reimagine policing.
But, due to a massive public turnout, the meeting was largely focused on public comments supporting a ceasefire in Gaza, which was not on the agenda.
So far, the Berkeley City Council has not taken a position.
We posted a number of tweets but, unfortunately, it looks like you can only see them if you have an X account.
Here are just a few. For a better rendering (including the option to view our videos), make sure to click the "view in browser" option at the top of the newsletter.
Members of the public confronting CM @TaplinTerry while the rest of council has left the room. #berkmtg pic.twitter.com/poTPCDzTkI
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) December 6, 2023
Public commenters here in support of Gaza ceasefire are disrupting #berkmtg with songs, shouts of “shame” and “ceasefire now.” pic.twitter.com/rhr0ddPaFX
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) December 6, 2023
Jostling over flags ends up with someone snatching a man’s Israel flag and skipping out of the room. Mayor calls for order and respect from the audience. “That flag was disrespectful,” a woman shouts. #berkmtg pic.twitter.com/O0udAL4zMq
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) December 6, 2023
District 7 Senate candidate @JovankaBeckles (also a @rideact board member) urges Berkeley officials to call a special meeting to consider a ceasefire resolution. #berkmtg pic.twitter.com/HbZrWK4WlG
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) December 6, 2023
Despite the drawbacks, X is still the best place, by far, to reach the most people. We're hoping to post elsewhere as well, time allowing, but that hasn't happened yet.
Neither action item on the agenda ultimately happened.
The traffic item (Item 12) was moved to consent and the reimagining policing item (Item 13) was postponed. We're not sure when it will be back.
The next Berkeley City Council meeting is set for next Tuesday and it may be similar to what we saw last night.
Some members of the public have been calling for a special meeting on the ceasefire issue but whether it will happen remains an open question.
Speaking of X, we also shared a quick note Tuesday about gunfire on Piedmont Avenue in North Oakland.
Oakland police are investigating a shooting just before 2:45 p.m. in the 3900 block of Piedmont Avenue. Officers found evidence of a shooting (no victims). Investigation remains active. @oaklandpoliceca asks anyone with info to call OPD’s Felony Assault Unit at 510-238-3426.
— The Berkeley Scanner (@BerkeleyScanner) December 6, 2023
First Amendment update
On Tuesday we spoke to someone from the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker who got in touch about what's been going on this past week.
They keep a close eye on issues like these and plan to write about it.
We're also continuing to pursue our own questions with the Alameda County DA's office and may have updates for you soon.
Other than letting us know we're back on the press list (which we seem to be, for now), they have not answered any of our questions.
We won't stop asking.
Today's news
Emilie Raguso
Emilie Raguso
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