More developers will come, and conquer, if opposition and the media aren’t vigilant
The decision not to negotiate with the A’s over the stadium represents a temporary retreat by the corporate politicians who run Oakland, including the Peralta Board of Trustees.
Missing from the discussion has been an understanding of this situation.
Mayor Libby Schaaf, Oakland City Councilmember Abél Guillén, and Peralta Trustee Julina Bonilla all represent the real estate interests.
Chancellor Laguerre has already said that the decision is not the end of the story.
If the stadium plan never happens, new schemes to privatize Peralta land and further gentrify Oakland will advance some other way.
Chancellor Jowel Laguerre has already said that the board decision is not the end of the story.
He is undermining its decision. So, if the board members were really serious, they would fire Laguerre.
The federal tax “reform” and the next federal budget will inevitably put a further squeeze on public education.
It will give even more impulse to gentrify and privatize public education.
The corporate politicians, including those mentioned above, will use this to advance other proposals similar to the A’s stadium deal.
This partial and temporary victory proves that Laney staff and students are not powerless.
The movement against the stadium can broaden and deepen to change the political direction, starting in Oakland.
But to do that, it’s necessary first of all to recognize and understand the economic interests at work.
I know most political movements and almost all the media (including the Laney Tower) are reluctant to openly do so, but if we want to be prepared, it’s necessary.