Rob AriasWe promised Tuesday would be “Political Theater” in Emeryville … and it delivered for those that enjoy these theatrics.
The nearly three-hour meeting to discuss the censure of Councilmember Kalimah Priforce was filled with anger, passion, and emotion from both sides of the argument.
As detailed in our Monday story, the resolution was brought forth by 2024 Mayor Courtney Welch in response to some alleged infractions by Priforce. While none of these infractions individually rise to the level of being censured, they had a cumulative effect, painting the picture of someone who considers themselves unaccountable to the rules and regulations that come with holding political office.
Welch and her allies have asserted that this was not retribution for Priforce’s persistent opposition to their preferred policy choices or him publicly campaigning against them and other criticisms.
“I understand the great interest in this meeting. However, this will not become a circus,” Welch warned the crowd prior to the kick-off of the discussion laying down the ground rules for the evening by discouraging interrupting and other disruptive behavior.
Despite this warning, the meeting devolved into shouting, personal grievances, accusations and, at times, teetered on the edge of chaos.
Welch may have overplayed her hand if she thought she could squeeze this item through during a post-general election malaise amid the kickoff of the December holiday season.
Priforce was able to rally his supporters to turn out and advocate on his behalf and was greeted to applause, homemade signs, and other forms of affection.
The recent election’s outcome may have fueled the left wing/Green Party end of the political spectrum and they seemed prepared for a fight. Members of the left wing are known for turning out, and when called upon, getting their hands dirty.
Public Comment Teeters on the Edge of Chaos
A bit of Intrigue was added to the public comment portion of the meeting when organizers of the successful recall of D.A. Pamela Price recall turned out in support of Priforce’s Censure.
Victims’ rights advocate Brenda Grisham and County Supervisor candidate Chris Moore were both in attendance as well as other key figures of SAFE which is a pro-public safety organization leading a backlash against left wing politicians in the East Bay.
Grisham, despite being shouted down by the crowd, stood firm. “You have disrespected my family. You have disrespected my children. You have disrespected 374,000 citizens of Alameda County … You should be censured!”
Another commenter, noting her observation of bias in the matter, made a personal plea to Welch and Bauters to drop the censure. “I implore you, don’t let this be your legacy. Former Mayor Bauters, you have given so much to this city. Some failures, many successes. Don’t let this be your legacy.”
Many other members of the public spoke glowingly about Priforce and his willingness to listen to them, respond to their inquiries and even go out of his way to help them.
A mother recounted how Councilmember Priforce’s support inspired her to form a parent-teacher association after her child faced bullying and inadequate responses from local institutions. “I don’t know about this political stuff,” she said tearfully, “but he has motivated me to fight for my kids.”
Council Deliberates
Following the conclusion of Public comment, Council deliberated starting with Vice Mayor David Mourra who will likely be stepping into the Mayoral role in 2025.
“As we’ve just seen and heard, member Priforce is very passionate and his words clearly resonate with many people. In this room. Unfortunately, in this instance, Member Priforce’s actions do not match his words,” Mourra read. “The ethical violations described in the resolution are factual and quite serious. The behavior described is corrosive to the function of this council and the government of this city. Member Priforce is fond of talking about how open and transparent he is, but not disclosing your source of income, who is giving money to you for political purposes, how much you have received, how your are spending it — as we are all required to do by law. That’s what we all signed up for — This is not open. It’s not transparent. It casts a shadow when he votes on items before this council. This is a basic concept to prevent political corruption that I’m sure everybody in this room can actually agree with. I implore Member Priforce to match his actions to his words and provide the information being sought by the FPPC investigation so that this council can carry on the city’s business without further distractions.”
”This is not open. It’s not transparent. It casts a shadow when he votes on items before this council.”
Vice Mayor David Mourra
Councilmember Kaur gave Priforce an out saying she would consider rejecting the censure if she had assurance that he would commit to filing his FPPC forms within 30 days.
Mayor Welch used the opportunity to call out what she considered hypocrisy in those that have called for campaign finance transparency in things they disagree with. “I’m very surprised to hear the tide has changed towards being transparent and compliant about financial contributions to campaigns because we heard a few people bring up financial contributions to campaigns,” likely referring to money going to support Bauters’ campaign from Police Unions & Landlord groups.
“I think what I am hoping to hear tonight is some accountability from council member Priforce for the things that the Mayor has outlined in her notice for this event,” Bauters spoke when his turn. “I have not heard facts stated that contradict the things that the mayor has alleged.”
When it came around to Priforce, he did not let up. Priforce unconventionally spoke from behind the speaker podium instead of the chamber dais as if it was a campaign event speaking for over 30 minutes.
At times, Priforce grilled City Attorney John Kennedy as if he was a prosecutor and Kennedy was on trial.
Priforce also distributed an “evidence packet” to the crowd that details information that he asserts vindicates him and spotlights some of Welch’s attack tweets portraying her as a hypocrite.
Priforce argued vehemently and seemingly threatened the city with legal action.
“Just think about the people of Emeryville for once, what you’re bringing our city into. We are already struggling financially, and then you have the audacity to put us in some sort of legal jeopardy. You’re not thinking about the city. You’re thinking about yourselves. So I dare you!” Priforce screamed slamming his packet on the speakers lectern. “I dare you to censor and sanction me and then say to the people of Emeryville that you’re thinking about them. Make me a rich man!”
“So I dare you, I dare you to censor and sanction me and then say to the people of Emeryville that you’re thinking about them. Make me a rich man!”
Councilmember Kalimah Priforce
Bauters, beloved by YIMBYs and Bicycle advocates, has become a bit of a villain to the left wing post-election when the spotlight was shone on him. This evening is unlikely to change this perception.
Bauters made a bit of a shocking and unprecedented amendment in the end seemingly adding a “parting shot” to his ongoing beef with Priforce by asking that a copy of the resolution be sent to every household in the city.
The resolution passed 4-1 with Priforce dissenting. Per the sanctions outlined in the resolution, Priforce will now be required to relinquish his positions on city committees and regional boards.
Priforce becomes the first councilmember in the city to be censured since Ken Bukowski in 2010 who also faced campaign violations as well as admitted drug use and other issues.
Priforce Begins Hunger Strike in Pursuit of Independent PEC
Following the meeting, Priforce thanked his supporters in a social media post for turning out for him adding that he would began a hunger strike and continuing his push for an independent Public Ethics Commission.
Priforce noted that he would end his hunger strike when this petition garnered 1000 signatures.
Thanks for being there to report on this so we don’t have to suffer through three hours of this.
The statement by Vice Mayor Mourra is very well done. He will make a good mayor.
Absolute clown show from both sides last night.
More of the same nonsensical rants from Priforce that he normally spews at the regular council meetings. He lies nonstop and doesn’t get called out because it’s such an overwhelming stream of BS. It’s a very Trump-like style but masked with progressive keywords like “equity” etc. Hopefully the people of Emeryville can see through his con.
Councilperson Priforce’s tactic offered ample testament of his personal appeal and creativity but NOTHING at all in terms of the business of the city and the responsibilities of a councilperson.
Instead, his performance and personal histrionics – as well as those of his screeching, filming, shouting, and sometimes foulmouthed – supporters – required the valuable time of multiple police officers and the police chief to ensure that the meeting was somewhat safe for all. If Priforce didn’t explain how he felt he didn’t need to fulfill the obligations of a city council person on the one hand, he did, however, offer a complete education in creative theatrical performance that amply demonstrated why Oakland and Berkeley can’t solve their most important issues when one city council meeting after another is disrupted by staged chaos . . .
There he offered a performance that educated us all.
It was a personal witch-hunt by an outgoing member. It feels like Emeryville is turning into Salem MA circa 1692. Sad because the city is starting to suffer and property value is falling but this is what they are worried about.
Property values are up. I think you mean rents are down. That because emeryville builds housing, more than enough to keep up with population growth
The price of condominiums are down 12% since 2019 (the only city in the Bay Area where prices are down).
I’m sure single family homes are up but very few of those on the market.
Bay Area home values have risen everywhere — except in this city
https://www.sfchronicle.com/realestate/article/emeryville-home-value-city-19934696.php
Property value is not falling because of the censure. It’s because of market and math. Nationwide, condo market is taking a hit because of the sky high interest rates and Emeryville has many condos. The difference in mortgage between a 2.5% rate from a few years ago and a 6.75% interest rate now could mean at least $1000 more per months. That’s why a condo that used to sell for $700,000 may now only sell for $600,000. Homeowners are paying more in mortgage still even if the sales price is lower than a few years ago.
It’s the interest rate, stupid, in Clinton parlance.
Emeryville is SUCCEEDING in providing new housing! Everyone else is FAILING and so their demand remains extremely constrained and prices remain high.
Priforce noted that he would end his hunger strike when this petition garnered 1000 signatures.
Hello?? Just fill out the required forms.
Priforce knows he lacks real support. If he had real support, he wouldn’t need to use a hunger strike as a prop. The 1000 signatures would self appear.
is Evilleeye going to report on the actual allegations? Why is FPPC investigating Priforce?
I will say, Councilmember Kalimah Priforce has been very responsive when I’ve reached out to him personally. He’s absolutely listening to the community.
While I appreciate that he listens, I’ve also seen basically 0 follow through on any of the issues I’ve brought up or talked about working with him on.
The city of Emeryville had an opportunity to increase his power on city council by voting for the 2 candidates he endorsed. We, as a city, didn’t.
A hunger strike to get signatures feels like he’s holding the public hostage, not the other members of city council.
That’s been my experience as well. He’s great in person but doesn’t seem to care about working with people to get anything done. It doesn’t help that he would rather spend his time irritating the other council members instead of trying to get support for what he says he wants to do.
Agree with this comment. As an example he persistently says he wants to strengthen tenant protections, but is never specific about what he actually wants to do. I believe the other council members would be in support of this if he could verbalize it and propose it in an actual policy but he doesn’t. He’d rather play the role of agitator and “hacktivist” (whatever the hell that is).
That is correct. Lots of damage and diversion and ZERO attention to the duties and responsibilities of a council person. He is smart and obviously has an agenda that foments chaos and damage – and to what end? For what reason/s is he targeting the city with this agenda and behavior?
Attention. He just wants the attention. Maybe that would work for him in some cities, but not sure about here
The evidence packet Priforce assembled is wild. It’s a compilation showing him as a council member wasting city resources. The weird thing is how hypocritical it is. He wanted the city manager to step in to serve essentially as a nanny because Priforce couldn’t stand Sam Gould’s critical public comments? Priforce has criticized in actually damaging manners toward every other council member, committee members online and offline.
I thought the focus on Sam Gould was extremely odd and petty. Actually sort of freaked me out that he would go after someone who seems mostly to be a private citizen at this point since he doesn’t sit on the council. I thought showed Priforce as pretty weak from a character standpoint.
The city council handled themselves very well along with the city attorney. Their points made sense and none of the (very strange) grandstanding from Priforce changes the facts. Our city council did the right thing. Priforce is not equipped for the role he finds himself in. He needs to get educated quickly on what city councils are supposed to do and how they accomplish those goals if he’s going to get any good results from his time on the council. Otherwise he’s a distraction and a blocker and he should pursue his personal grievances elsewhere.
Anyone else think that if Brian Donahue doesn’t want to be called a fuck boy he should stop acting like a fuck boy? That guy is unhinged and his antics are getting extremely tiresome. Courtney needs to get it together and act more professionally, sure I totally agree with that. That can be true AND it can also be true that Brian acts like he’s the only resident of Emeryville and he makes city council meetings so toxic that I suspect he prevents many folks from feeling comfortable attending. That is massively unfair to everyone else that isn’t Brian Donahue.