Rallies for reproductive rights took place nationwide Saturday, including in front of San Jose City Hall. For some residents, it was their first time protesting. For others, it’s a reminder of a much older battle. “We’re going back in time,” attendee Caitlyn Garsh told San José Spotlight. She attended the protest with her great aunt,...
How will San Jose mayor candidates improve the police department?
Almost every candidate for San Jose mayor is pledging to rebuild the city’s police department, which is still recovering from staffing losses that happened a decade ago. Their strategies are largely similar, with some differences. In recent forums, mayoral candidates Supervisor Cindy Chavez, San Jose Councilmembers Dev Davis, Matt Mahan and Raul Peralez and former...
San Jose citizen committee proposes police reforms
Almost two years after a Minneapolis police officer killed George Floyd and set off protests across the country, San Jose officials received hundreds of recommendations on how to reform the city’s police department. The City Council received a report Tuesday from the Reimagining Public Safety Community Advisory Committee. The committee, composed of representatives from numerous South...
Car cruising could return to San Jose streets
After a decades-long ban, San Jose may ease the brakes on cars cruising city streets. On Wednesday, the Rules and Open Government Committee unanimously approved exploring ending fees and fines associated with cruising—arguing it’s inherently discriminatory. The ban, which prohibits lowriders and other decked-out cars from driving slowly through city streets, was implemented in the 1990s to curb gang violence. David Polanco,...
San Jose State students demand protection after sex abuse scandal
Holding signs saying, “Justice delayed is justice denied,” “Hire Title IX Staff Now” and “Justice for Survivors,” San Jose State University students are protesting for a safer campus. Students Against Sexual Assault are demanding the university’s Title IX office be fully staffed, more transparent and accountable after a federal investigation found the office lacking. Title...
UPDATE: San Jose approves ban on ghost guns
San Jose officials have signed off on a ban on homemade firearms, marking the city’s latest effort to tighten local gun control. On Tuesday, councilmembers unanimously approved an ordinance prohibiting residents from possessing, manufacturing, selling, assembling, receiving or distributing unserialized firearms and their parts. These homemade weapons are also known as ghost guns because they’re...
UPDATE: San Jose to release mayor’s emails about advocacy group
San Jose will release emails related to Mayor Sam Liccardo’s nonprofit advocacy group after withholding the records for a year. The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to grant San José Spotlight’s appeal after Liccardo advocated for the release of the records. San Jose is also considering changing its rules to better clarify the public records...
San Jose, Vietnamese residents mourn loss of community leader
The South Bay is mourning the death of a community leader who dedicated years of his life to uplifting the Vietnamese community and revitalizing downtown San Jose. Thang Do, CEO of San Jose-based architecture firm Aedis Architects and co-founding member of the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization (PIVOT), died Sunday due to health issues at the...
San Jose homeless advocates say sweeps solve nothing
San Jose says its multi-prong plan to manage homeless camps will improve the quality of life for both the unhoused population and general public. But advocates and lawyers say nothing in the plan will bring meaningful results as the city continues to displace people through sweeps. “The treatment of people living outside has always been terrible,”...
San Jose city workers must wear masks once again
With concerns about COVID-19 infections on the rise once more, San Jose city workers are required to wear masks for the next two weeks. The temporary measure is in place from Friday until May 20 and only affects workers at city facilities. The decision comes one month after the City Council voted to rescind the...