Libby Schaaf

Although investigators currently have no evidence to conclude that this tragedy was racially motivated or that the suspect was affiliated with any hate groups, the fact that his victims were both young African American women stirs deep pain and palpable fear in all of us who acknowledge the reality that our country still suffers from a tragic and deeply racist history.

I'm not going to let the bullies in Washington, DC, deter me from doing what I know is right for my community. In Oakland, we're very clear about what our values are. We value our immigrant communities. We value diversity. And we will not allow anyone to intimidate us. We will not apologize for those values.

That is part of the beauty of American democracy : a balance between state, local and federal power. And I can tell you I know a lot more about what makes my community safe than a Congress member from Iowa.

Occupy was a very costly experience for Oakland and I am very committed to ensuring we never face this level of liability again.