APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
___________________________
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. ______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER ZAC UNGER
A RESOLUTION (1) HONORING THE REMARKABLE ROBERT
-
FOUNDER OF THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY, ACTIVIST, ENGINEER,
AUTHOR, AND FOR HIS COMMITTMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE FOR
THE PEOPLE OF OAKLAND; (2) DECLARING OCTOBER 22ND AS
BOBBY SEALE DAY IN THE CITY OF OAKLAND; AND (3)
COMMEMORATIVELY RENAMING THE INTERSECTION OF 57TH
ALLATION OF A PLAQUE OR
SIGN HONORING BOBBY SEALE, PURSUANT TO THE POLICY AND
PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 77967 C.M.S.
WHEREAS, California Government Code section 34091.1 allows a jurisdiction by resolution to name a new public street or to rename an existing public street; and
WHEREAS, the naming of a new public street or the renaming of an existing public street is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Oakland City Council Resolution No. 77967 C.M.S. (passed July 15, 2003), the City Council may, on its motion, consider the renaming of a public street as a tribute to an individual or as a result of a significant event or activity, if one of the following criteria is met: (1) the individual has positively impacted the lives of a nation or the world; or (2) the name change is related to an economic development or redevelopment activity; or (3) The renaming commemorates a significant historical event; and
WHEREAS, the City Council may commemorate a nominee either by: (a) retaining the existing street name and installing commemorative plaques or signs; or (b) renaming the existing street for the individual and installing new street signs; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Seale, born Robert George Seale on October 22, 1936, in Liberty, Texas, later became a proud resident of Oakland, California, where he co-founded the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense in 1966 alongside Huey P. Newton, sparking a revolutionary movement grounded in racial justice, self-determination, and community empowerment; and
2 WHEREAS,
to national prominence not only for its stance against police brutality but for its pioneering community-based programs, including free breakfast programs for children, health clinics, educational initiatives, and mutual aid efforts that served as blueprints for future social welfare models; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Seale demonstrated courage and resilience during a time of intense where his inhumane treatment in courtbeing bound and gaggeddrew international condemnation and highlighted the systemic injustices facing Black activists; and
WHEREAS, in 1973, Bobby Seale launched a historic mayoral campaign in Oakland, inspiring thousands of new Black and working-class voters to register, engage, and believe in the power of local governance, laying a powerful foundation for future Black political leadership; and
WHEREAS,
Lionel
Wilson in 1977, who became the first Black mayor of the City of Oakland, a victory Mayor Wilson attributed in part to the influence and efforts of the Panthers; and
WHEREAS, Bobby Seale has continued throughout his life to speak, teach, write, and organize in the name of justice, equity, and liberation, authoring books such as Seize the Time and A Lonely Rage, and remaining a steadfast figure in civil rights history; and
WHEREAS, the City Council wishes to commemoratively rename the intersection of 57th associated with such a commemorative act will be borne by the office of Councilmember Zac Unger; and
WHEREAS,
transformed Oakland but have left a lasting impact on national movements for racial and economic justice; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Oakland City Council hereby honors and recognizes Bobby Seale for his trailblazing contributions to the advancement of Black political power, his enduring legacy as a civil rights leader, and his transformative work that reshaped the social and political fabric of Oakland and the nation; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Oakland City Council does hereby declare October in the City of Oakland, in celebration of his life, legacy, and continued influence, and encourages all residents to reflect on and advance the principles of justice, equity, and empowerment that Bobby Seale stood for: and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Oakland City Council approves the commemorative renaming of the intersection at 57th
3 FURTHER RESOLVED:That the Oakland City Council directs the City Administrator sign(s) or plaque(s) to that effect, upon payment of costs.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - BROWN, FIFE, GALLO, HOUSTON, RAMACHANDRAN, UNGER, WANG, AND
PRESIDENT JENKINS
NOES
ABSENT
ABSTENTION
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California
3424843/LL