Oakland councilmember calls sideshow participants ‘thrill-seekers’

Oakland CM Fife labeled man beaten by sideshow participants a vigilante; Alameda renters may be getting a new type of moratorium; Lily Mei makes amends to LGBTQ community

Oakland Councilmember Noel Gallo on Tuesday night pushing for harsher penalties for sideshow organizers and participants.

CITY NEWS

OAKLAND

—SIDESHOWS—Oakland’s proposed sideshow ordinance moved out of the City Council’s Public Protection Committee on Tuesday without much debate. In fact, to underscore the change in tone and direction of the council from discussions about sideshows five months ago, the item is scheduled for the consent calendar on next Tuesday’s council agenda.

—“Every weekend I just don’t have one sideshow on the street—in the neighborhood—I got them on the freeways,” Oakland Councilmember Noel Gallo said, both pleading and challenging his colleagues. “Now, what kind of activity is that? You talk about safety? You want people to be safe? Well, we have to demand safety. Some of us don’t understand what that is.”

—The ordinance proposed by Gallo last December targets sideshow organizers and “faciitators,” the drivers and individuals who form the area in which the sideshows are performed. Violations of the proposed ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The current iteration of the ordinance does not include punishment for spectators.

—Oakland Councilmember Carroll Fife reiterated her belief that sideshow participants need an alternate activity to lure them away from the dangerous activity. Later, she urged residents not to be “vigilantes” and risk their lives by attempting to quell sideshows.

—“Do not engage in trying to be a vigilante in terms of stopping a sideshow if it occurs,” Fife said. “Leave that to the professionals because no one should be hurt.”

—Fife added, “That’s why we’re trying to create a space where people who want to do the thrill-seeking and fun are able to do that in a safe and sanctioned way.”

MORE INSIDE:

• CITY NEWS: New Oakland city administrator named

• Wither Howard Terminal ENA?

• Alameda’s new type of rental housing moratorium

• Lily Mei’s stages of grief is complete

• COUNTY NEWS: Supervisors renew budget talks