The Advocate

(Picture by Sheyda Sabetian.) SLPD Sergeant Robert Sanchez has been charged with embezzling and misappropriation of public funds. In plain language: Sanchez was stealing through fraud and corruption. Local news reports are available at here and here . However, I’m sure many of you – like me – found out via the city’s Nixle alert system. What’s interesting is how San Leandro Mayor Pauline Cutter and San Leandro Police Chief Jeff Tudor were able to make such timely and heartfelt statements when it comes to misconduct over money, but not for the murders of Steven Taylor or Anthony Gomez. Indeed, I wonder why immediate action can be taken in the case of this property crime but not for violent crime against innocent citizens? It took months of public pressure, letters, petitions, social media campaigns, and video evidence, as well as a bevy of new laws based on the burgeoning outcry against police brutality just for Jason Fletcher to be charged for killing Steven Taylor. Either the law gov...

( Attribution ) Well, technically it's San Lorenzo, but just stay with me here. If you're looking for a bit of local lore to add an extra fright to your Halloween, I recommend learning more about Pioneer Cemetery, located at 15450 Hesperian Boulevard. Right across the street from our Walmart. You can tell from its three-acres of broken and/or sunken headstones, rotted coffins, vandalized crypts, weeds, dust, and who knows what else! The earliest grave dates back to 1853, when San Lorenzo was known as Squattersville. It's an accurate name for a mishmash of would-be farmers, failed gold miners, immigrants, and adventurers settled on the land of indigenous people who were murderously removed by the Spanish. The cemetery itself is a testament to the violent, turbulent history of our town. In fact, it was a major burial ground from Livermore to Hayward, most likely because it was decidedly nonsectarian. Some notable residents include: The Yoakum brothers, who were convicted of m...

(Photo by CBS San Francisco.) Well, it has been just two months since an SLPD officer shot someone. See here for the local reports . I have a lot of questions about this specific encounter, but the most pressing one is this: when does it stop I understand the details of this incident are concerning and still unfolding. What we do know: a traffic violation leads to a pursuit. A couple of hours later, officers in an undercover vehicle remain behind, and end up shooting at another person because they have a gun. Now, self-defense I get. But since when do the "good guys" shoot first and ask questions later nearly every single time? SLPD needs to change its policy on high-speed car chases . They need to stop overpolicing minor traffic violations . Lastly, we need to actually use de-escalation tactics coupled with real accountability and supervision. Chief Tudor says we have a progressive police department. He says we have a department that uses de-escalation tactics, as well as ...

If your kids like to take naps in the car as much as mine do, maybe while driving around town you've noticed an American flag with muted colors and a thin blue line highlighted in the middle. To many this flag represents a commitment to law and order To many it represents solidarity with fallen police officers. To many it represents respect, honor, and courage. To many it represents their support for law enforcement as part of the fabric of American society. However, the reality is far less prosaic. Because this flag is actually a symbol of White Supremacy. Let's start with a history lesson. (See original reporting at https://www.themarshallproject.org/2020/06/08/the-short-fraught-history-of-the-thin-blue-line-american-flag .) The flag made one of its most famous appearances at the "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville in 2017. The same rally with Confederate flags and tiki torch wielding terrorists chanting "Jews will not replace us." (Full disclosure:...

As has become my habit, here are my votes for the 2020 general election, along with reasons and receipts. This will be a long post, so buckle up! (For the tl;dr version, please scroll to the bottom.) For my general overview reference point, please see https://progressivevotersguide.com/california/2020/general/county/alameda and the official Voter Information Guide for Alameda County. For the propositions on the ballot, I am combining my research with LAist.com, SF Gate, MotherJones, and a useful graphic available at https://i.redd.it/t7lqvp58wbr51.jpg . I am also considering individual guides like those by Taina Vargas-Edmond on Facebook. More specific citations are provided in each area. The order of appearance below matches the order of appearance on my ballot. Standard caveats: I have not received in fact or in promise any money from any candidate. I have not received in fact or in promise a vote for a specific interest that would benefit me financially or professionally. I have ...