People on both sides of the Oakland mayor recall race made the final push to turn out the votes Friday, with Mayor Sheng Thao and recall supporters holding separate events.
On one side, people talked about living in constant fear.
“Very scared, you know? We can’t sleep,” said Lisa Trinh, at a recall rally in Oakland’s Little Saigon.
On the other side, residents shared stories of positive change.
“For the first time in 17 years, kids came to the door for Halloween. I was delighted,” Fr. Aidan McAleenan of St. Columba Catholic Church.
Trinh said this week has been all tricks and no treats. On Tuesday morning, thieves drove a stolen car into her brother’s business , Lucky 7 Cigarettes, in Little Saigon.
Burglars destroyed the store front and ransacked the business. It was their third major break-in post pandemic.
“My hand will shake. Very scared, very scared. I can’t sleep well,” said Trinh, a Vietnamese immigrant who speaks limited English.