7th Street & Washington Street
Oakland, CA 94607
USA
Members, co-directors, and supporters of The Community Democracy Project (Oakland) (“CDP”) gather signatures every single day to get our initiative on the 2016 ballot. If our initiative passes, Oakland will have the strongest #PeoplesBudget in the United States!
Co-Director Shawn McDougal is being charged with a misdemeanor: “Interfering with a Business” (California Penal Code Section 602.1) for engaging his neighbors shopping at the Oakland Grocery Outlet.
The security guards at the Grocery Outlet demanded that Shawn stop gathering signatures near the entrance of the store. They wanted him to relocate to an isolated spot with little to no foot traffic.
Shawn peacefully asserted his right to circulate petitions in any and all public access areas, including private/corporate property. He continued to gather signatures while the security guards hassled him.
Eventually the guards called the Oakland Police Department because Shawn was “trespassing.” The responding officers threatened Shawn with arrest if he did not leave the premises.
Since Shawn’s shift was minutes from being over, Shawn decided to comply instead of spending the weekend in jail. Still, the cops gave Shawn a citation and now he risks being convicted of a misdemeanor.
JOIN US at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (Department #107) to support Shawn and to let the City of Oakland know that we as a community will stand up against corporate and police harassment!
We’ll bring CDP pins and posters! See you on Monday at 9:00am!
After the hearing, we’ll debrief over brunch at a location TBD.