Alameda County mayors unite

Thousands attend peaceful "No Kings" protests across Alameda County; County is worried about proposed cuts to federal food assistance programs; A look ahead to Election 2026

☕️MORNING BUZZ

—The mayors of all 14 Alameda County cities issued a joint statement over the weekend that raises concerns over the federal response to protests last week in Los Angeles.

The statement pledges support for the county’s immigrant communities, in addition to encouraging everyone to register to vote.

The issuance of a joint statement by the county’s mayors is not common, but the reflects the heightened state of uncertainty many in the county, state, and nation are feeling about the Trump administration’s increasingly expansive view of presidential power.

Despite Alameda County commonly viewed as a strictly blue county, its regional political viewpoints are diverse, which makes this statement, although at times anodyne, somewhat extraordinary.

“We are concerned with any use of force in our communities. History has shown that aggressive tactics increase tensions rather than provide solutions. Free speech and peaceful protest are cornerstones of our democracy, and we strongly encourage all who choose to exercise these rights to do so nonviolently,” the mayors wrote,

Seven of Alameda County’s 14 cities (Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Hayward, Oakland, and San Leandro) have formally declared themselves sanctuary cities. A majority of this group approved the sanctuary city designation just prior to President Trump’s first inauguration in early 2017. Alameda County, as a whole, is a sanctuary county.

—MORE INSIDE:

• Thousands came out across Alameda County on Saturday afternoon for the “No Kings” protest in Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, San Leandro, Hayward, and Fremont.

• The monetary impacts are unknown, but cuts contained in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will hamper the counties ability to fund some safety net services, including food assistance programs for very low-income residents.

• After rounds of public outreach and a bit of tweaking, Berkeley’s wildfire mitigation ordinance returns to the city council on Tuesday.

• San Leandro’s mayor is trying to tighten the city’s fiscal belt, but his comments about limiting cost overruns for a new neighborhood library belittled the construction effort.

• One step closer to full district-based elections, but San Leandro is still intent on placing the issue before voters next summer.

• The June 2026 primary is less than a year away, but it’s not too early to take a look at the lay of the land next summer. As it stands, it’s likely just a single race will be competitive.

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