Headline
Headline
Back to Oakland, CA News

Trumps rhetoric about DC, Oakland echoes a history of racist narratives about urban crime

Oakland, CALocal News

President Donald Trump ordered National Guard troops to D. C. on August 13, 2025, claiming an urgent public safety crisis. Local officials, including Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, contested his assertions as fear-mongering and detrimental to community trust. Many D.

C. residents view the troop deployment as a troubling violation of local autonomy, reminiscent of historical patterns of federal overreach in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Grassroots organizer April Goggans stated that communities have been bracing for a federal response since the summer of 2020 during racial justice protests. Some residents express mixed feelings about the deployment; while crime and homelessness are pressing issues, few agree with Trump's dire depiction of the city. The White House maintains that the National Guard's presence aims to deter crime and safeguard federal assets.

Critics fear that such tactics may extend to other majority-Black cities across the nation. The D. C. crime rate reportedly fell to its lowest level in over 30 years in 2024, challenging Trump's narrative.

Related Articles

Oakland, CALocal News

Advocates rally around Oakland Head Start in the face of federal threats

Advocates in Oakland rally to protect Head Start programs amidst threats of defunding and new federal directives targeting undocumented immigrants. The programs, crucial for low-income families, face potential instability as local officials consider budget cuts and changes in enrollment requirements. Families and advocates emphasize the importance of maintaining access to essential services for children.

Oakland, CALocal News

Spanish Table in Berkeley is closing, citing tariff uncertainty

The Spanish Table grocery store in Berkeley will close after 24 years due to adverse business conditions stemming from a 15% tariff on European imports. Owner Bastian Schoell reports a price increase of about 35% due to the tariffs and a weakening dollar. The store's final day of operations is August 17, but Schoell plans to maintain the San Francisco location and online sales.

Oakland, CALocal News

Telling the untold Two students and their teacher document Oaklands Mam community

Two Skyline High School students, Lorena Mendoza and Miguel Ortiz, collaborated with their teacher Javier Armas to document the Mam culture of their community in Oakland. They created a book titled *Mam History: Oakland Notes on the History of the Mayan-Mam Language* to amplify the voices and stories of their ancestors. Their project highlights the challenges of researching their heritage and the importance of preserving Mam history.