Oakland City Council Members Investigated by OPD

Mayoral candidates and city council member Jean Quan and Rebecca Kaplan targeted

Oakland City Council members Jean Quan and Rebecca Kaplan were part of a line separating protesters from police during last week's protests of the verdict in the trial of Johannes Mehserle.

The police department says that it is investigating the council members, and said that additional arrests related to the protests are likely.

The Oakland Police Officers Association posted photos, such as the one above, of Kaplan and Quan taken by San Francisco Chronicle photographer Carlos Avila Gonzalez, leading to numerous demands for their arrest from supporters.

KPIX cameras also captured Kaplan and Quan trying to diffuse the situation, admonishing both police and protesters.

The San Francisco chapter of the National Lawyers Guild issued a statement calling the police response to the protests excessive. Walter Riley, a member of the chapter  was arrested during the protests.

The news comes shortly after negotiations between the city council and the police over 80 layoffs in the department as part of the city's effort to reduce its budget deficit, so it's hard to rule out that the investigation could be politically motivated.

Quan and Kaplan, along with six other candidates, are vying to replace Ron Dellums as mayor. A candidate forum will be held at the Lakeshore Baptist Church starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Kaplan is expected to attend, Quan is not.


Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us