Protest ‘Eviction workshop’ in Oakland Put On by Major Funder of Prop. 98

Angry Community, Tenant and Senior Groups Protest Outside ‘Eviction workshop’ In Oakland Put On by Major Funder of Prop. 98

Groups Also Calls Prop 98 a Trick and Blasts Deceptive
New Yes on 98 Radio Ads

WHAT: News conference and picket Friday with dozens of seniors, tenants and community organizations who will protest outside the Apartment Owners Association of California’s “eviction workshop.” Participants will alert voters as to who is funding the deceptive Proposition 98 on the June 3rd ballot, and will blast the deceptive tactics and advertising by the landlords bankrolling the Yes on Prop. 98 campaign. New Yes on 98 radio ads by apartment and mobile home park owners began airing Tuesday in the Bay Area and throughout the state.

Speakers: Members of St. Peter’s Housing and Just Cause Oakland
Renters, families and seniors impacted by Prop. 98

BACKGROUND: Apartment and mobile home park owners have spent millions to place Proposition 98 on California’s June 3 statewide ballot. Landlords and organizations that represent them have contributed more than 80% of funding behind Prop. 98. Supporters of Prop. 98 deceptively claim Prop. 98 is about “eminent domain reform.” But the landlords don’t care about eminent domain. Hidden provisions in Proposition 98 would abolish rent control and renter protections, devastating millions of California seniors and families.

The AOA is the third largest contributor to Proposition 98 contributing over $400,000 to the campaign. The association’s President, Dan Faller, a right-wing firebrand has become infamous on the internet lately for his labeling of tenants and politicians who support them as “Terrorists.” (see article here)

At a time when rents are steadily increasing in the Bay Area, the proposal to end rent control and other rent protections is extremely unpopular with local residents. Renters make up about 60% of Oakland’s population and over 20,000 units in Oakland are covered by the City’s rent ordinance, which only allows a modest annual increase on rental properties.

Housing rights groups like Just Cause Oakland are mounting a major campaign to educate and mobilize voters against Prop 98 and to support the alternative measure, Proposition 99, that would not impact renters negatively.