Next-gen councilmember's blunt debut

Is Rob Bonta running for governor, or not? Hayward dips into general fund reserves; Background checks delay BART appointment. Plus, much more!

Berkeley Councilmember Cecilia Lunaparra was sworn-in on Tuesday.

CITY NEWS

BERKELEY

—BIG SPLASH—Newly minted Berkeley Councilmember Cecilia Lunappara took the oath of office last Tuesday and it only took her a few minutes to lay out her unwavering support for Palestine.

—“It’s important to remember that while students protest on campuses here in the Bay Area, Israel’s bombs have reduced every university in Gaza to rubble. I fully support my classmates demands,” Lunaparra said of Cal students protesting the conflict in Gaza at an encampment at Sprout Hall.

—Lunaparra, 22, made history last month after winning the District 7 special election, and becoming the first undergraduate, first Latina, and first queer woman of color to be elected to the Berkeley City Council.

—“I will do everything in my power to ensure that no city, county, or U.C. resources are used to arrest, suspend, evict, or otherwise punish non-violent student protesters,” Lunaparra continued.

—“My presence here is a testament to the power of students and young people in Berkeley and beyond. This past month, especially, has shown that our generation is a force to be reckoned with.”

—Lunaparra is working on a ceasefire resolution, she said on Tuesday.

MORE INSIDE:

• CITY NEWS: Bedlam at Berkeley council meetings persists

• Berkeley USD taking it from both sides in Israel-Palestine conflict

• Hayward dips into reserves to balance next fiscal year budget

• COUNTY NEWS: BART appointment delayed

• Port of Oakland approves airport name change; files complaint

• ELECTION 2024: Precedent in hand, primary write-in candidate hopes to get back on the ballot

• When will AG Bonta make a decision about gubernatorial run?

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