We, the undersigned residents of Emeryville invite EVERYONE to stand together with Councilmember Kalimah Priforce who is on Day 9 of a hunger strike to gather 1,000 signatures —Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and others—united by a common goal: to uphold and strengthen ethical governance in our city...and thanks to you, we're almost there!

"Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

 

 

For too long, we have dealt with the negative impacts of our city council's lack of checks and balances. History points towards a trail of widespread unethical and inequitable legislative practices that have disadvantaged various groups - renters​, homeowners​, workers​, churches​, schools​, small businesses, and subsequently, our city’s economy.

We demand change and now ANYONE IN AND OUTSIDE OF EMERYVILLE CAN SUPPORT US BY SIGNING OUR PETITION!

In recent years, cities across the nation have faced challenges to public trust in government. While Emeryville has a proud tradition of civic engagement, we believe more can and should be done to ensure transparency, accountability, and integrity in local decision-making.

 

 

To address this, we call for the establishment of an Independent Public Ethics Commission tasked with:

• Ensuring Transparency: Overseeing public access to records and ensuring government actions are open and comprehensible to the public.
• Promoting Accountability: Monitoring compliance with city ethics policies, conflict-of-interest regulations, and campaign finance laws.
• Fostering Trust: Acting as a neutral body to investigate ethical concerns, resolve disputes, and issue recommendations.

An Independent Public Ethics Commission could serve as an effective keep-check mechanism, ensuring transparent, ethical, equitable, and accountable governance, which our residents rightfully deserve.

Such a commission is not a novel idea; cities like Oakland and San Francisco have successfully implemented Independent Ethics Commissions to significant effect (Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity). In San Francisco, since the inception of its Ethics Commission in 1993, public trust issues have substantially reduced, affirming the effectiveness of an independent oversight body (San Francisco Ethics Commission). 

Emeryville, dubbed “the rottenest city on the Pacific Coast,” by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, has a history of political corruption and unchecked balances of power. Councilmembers, staff members, and other city officials who has raised these issues over the years have either been punished, silenced, or resigned from their positions.

 

 

Ethical governance isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a community issue, and we can establish a city that prioritizes the needs of the many over the select few. We have an opportunity to foster a culture of ethical standards that will define the future of Emeryville. On these premises, I urge you to support our petition for the establishment of an Independent Public Ethics Commission in our city. 

No matter where you are in the world, if you believe in public ethics oversight composed of qualified, non-partisan members representing diverse perspectives, free from political or financial influence - we need your help.

An independent public ethics commission will serve as a guardian of good governance, ensuring that Emeryville’s leaders are held to the highest ethical standards. Please sign our petition and stand with us as we prepare for a grassroots ballot initiative for public ethics oversight that will foster a fair, equitable, and ethical Emeryville.

- Emery Rising Neighborhood Group