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I applaud Mayor Arreguín’s leadership in standing on the side of fundamental human rights and civilian control of the police.    

I’m deeply concerned that the Berkeley City Manager, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and UC are asking us to undermine the fundamental principle of mutual aid: that each city’s elected officials decide on their own terms the equipment and policies deployed.    

Our generous city has and will continue to show up on the front lines of wildfires and public safety emergencies across the Bay Area and state. What we will not do is sacrifice our values and democratic decision-making process to a sheriff who shirks his responsibility to protect, invited the Oath Keepers militia to an Urban Shield community preparedness event, and who ultimately lost the confidence of Alameda County voters.    

In the event that the Sheriff and University of California refuse law enforcement aid on our terms, UC and AC Sheriff have access to vast state law enforcement resources. We will not allow bad faith actors to manufacture crises where there are none.      

I call on all city leaders and residents to follow Mayor Arreguín’s leadership in deescalating the situation, continuing to respect the rights of peaceful protesters and neighbors, and allowing the park construction proceedings to be resolved peacefully through the courts and democratic processes.