Hi there,

As a child, I faced intense racial bullying that led me to leave high school. As I explained in a recent podcast with Pulitzer Prize winner Glenn Greenwald, however, the experience transformed me. It taught me how power structures can be used against the vulnerable–and how we can effectively fight against them. 

Today’s blog by Dr. Crystal Heath–who was recently in the national media as a target of a corporate smear campaign–explains how bullies have taken over Berkeley.

Read and share Crystal's blog post challenging the ugly tactics that have

become standard in Berkeley politics

A last minute infusion of corporate money, from companies like Landmark Properties, is attempting to influence this election. Their goal? Paint progressive policies and candidates as “extreme.” But what is actually extreme is the corporate takeover of American politics. Landmark is a multi-billion corporation that has forced tenants who have been displaced by COVID-19 to continue paying rent for empty apartments. It’s worth asking: why are Landmark stakeholders donating to the incumbent mayor?

These corporate donations, in turn, have funded a series of negative ads against our campaign, falsely alleging that I am literally a physical danger to Berkeley. The response has turned ugly, including Berkeley voters asking me to “return to [my] own country.” (For the record, I was born in the United States.) 

Let’s fight back against this negativity and hate, and refocus our attention on the issues facing Berkeley. Please read and share Crystal’s blog post. 

And consider making a donation before tonight’s final fundraising deadline. We expect this race to come down to the wire, and Berkeley residents will have their donations matched 6x. Your contribution will help us make a final push on social media to combat this hate. Here’s the link. 

Best,

Wayne