Mayor of misgoverned California city orders mass removals of homeless camps

The city has been clearing encampments following the Supreme Court's ruling on Grants Pass v. JohnsonPhoto byEvonUnsplash

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao issued an executive order Monday directing city departments to fully enforce the Encampment Management Policy by clearing homeless encampments across the city. Thao emphasized the need to protect critical infrastructure while leading with compassion, stating, “Being unhoused is not a crime in Oakland, but it doesn’t give individuals the right to break other laws.”

The city has been clearing encampments following the Supreme Court's ruling on Grants Pass v. Johnson, which allows criminal penalties for public camping. Thao’s video outlines priority zones for removal, including areas near schools, playgrounds, and locations obstructing traffic or emergency services.