Acrimony at Oakland City Hall reached new heights last week during a session of the Rules Committee in which Councilwoman Desley Brooks took to the public’s podium and lashed out at fellow council members. The onslaught continued for 40 minutes, ceasing only when the members cleared the chambers and ended the meeting.
The committee was discussing an agenda item aimed at re-crafting a controversial pot ordinance approved in May, but things quickly turned personal, with Brooks and Councilman Dan Kalb calling each other liars. After repeated requests to step down, they eventually cut off Brooks’ microphone and that’s when she began to shout.
“Mic check! Mic check!” the councilwoman yelled.
As the members attempted to move on to the next item on the agenda, Brooks led the room in a chant against the council. Finally, the meeting was adjourned and the room cleared.
This is not the first time Brooks has sparred with fellow council members.
See video of the meeting here.