Pamela Price Launches Anti-Recall Campaign Amid Public Scrutiny
Alameda County’s first Black woman and progressive reformist district attorney, Pamela Price, has launched an anti-recall campaign amid public scrutiny over her tenure since being elected nine months ago. Addressing supporters at the Fluid510 night club in Oakland, she criticized those who seek to overturn election results for damaging public trust.
Price claimed that these individuals were a threat to public safety and insinuated that their actions meant she had to rely heavily on staff members while maintaining the duties of her office. She described herself as “a damn good lawyer,” and stated that voters did not elect her based on emotions stirred up by opponents.
Price’s short tenure has been marked by intense public scrutiny following calls for criminal justice reform. Opponents have already started soliciting signatures needed for a forced recall election using $212,000 raised by donors including prominent tech executives and retired prosecutors since July 2023.
In the forthcoming months of hard campaigning ahead, battling deteriorating public trust will serve as one focus point. One strategy includes distributing materials urging people not to sign recall petitions but rather stand with proven facts about Price’s performance in office; many blame its erosion on past D.A.s whose policies sought maximal sentences without holding errant law enforcement officials accountable.
Among those present at the event to show their support were Angelique Page and Saabir Lockett. Both spoke about soft punishment for criminals arguing that hard punitive measures result in community discord especially among Black people and other colored communities.
Critics have drawn attention to high turnover rates within her office, accusation she has turned down while also blaming it upon unwarranted close scrutiny held due their personal relationships or because they’re a black woman holding a powerful position.
In response to these criticisms, Price said “those young people are going to be punished! They’re not getting out of jail Scot-free…10 years is a long time.” but managed to maintain an upbeat atmosphere embracing supporters like Ray Bobbitt and Paul Cobb while Antwon Cloird sat by her side as closest ally amidst the ongoing struggle
