B12 THE UNION-TRIBUNE SUNDAY • JUNE 21,2020

APATH FORWARD WOMEN CONTINUE TO LEAD DURING TOUGH TIMES

BY STEVEN P. DINKIN Ihave four Black female the city’s police chief. Bot- unions to increase account- curred during the protests, bring to their cities and con- leaders in mind. They are all toms shared the anguish she ability. Breed has already including the burning down stituents a blend of skills: big From pandemics to pro- of large cities: felt watching the video, shifted the duties of officers of the Wendy’s where ideas and pragmatism, ur- tests, it is women who con- of thinking, “Just let him go. in her city so they no longer Rayshard Brooks was shot. gency and resolve, along tinue to flex their leadership , of Let him call somebody.” As respond to non-emergency She understands and empa- with a strong desire to lead muscles and demonstrate , Breed of Bottoms spoke, it was evi- situations. Bowser wants to thizes with the protesters and take care of people. And their skills as warriors or , and Muriel dent that the other mayors invest in and work on police but worries that their mes- they are also informed by healers. Sometimes both. Bowser of Washington, D.C. who had watched the video and community relations. sage will be lost amid the their identity. When coronavirus took All four were featured in a also hoped for a different They all agree: The mayhem. Drawing a con- As Bottoms told the audi- hold, it was countries led by recent CNN town hall, called outcome. You could see the underlying problem is disin- trast with the civil rights ence at the CNN town hall, women that fared best. New “Mayors Who Matter.” pain on their faces. It wasn’t vestment in communities of movement — which was im- “I’m a , but a Black Zealand Prime Minister The program aired just orchestrated for the camera: color over many decades, re- bued with the spirit of Dr. woman first.” Jacinda Ardern, German after another tragic inci- Bottoms said she heard sulting in what is now an ur- Martin Luther King, Jr. — Black women have long Chancellor Angela Merkel dent, this time in Atlanta. from Lightfoot, Breed and gent need for additional re- Bottoms said, “This is chaos. been the most powerful vot- and Norwegian Prime Min- Rayshard Brooks, a 27-year- Bowser within 24 hours of sources to close disparities Aprotest has purpose.” ing bloc in America. Now ister Erna Solberg, among old Black man, was shot the news of Brooks’ killing. in education, health care Like Ardern and other fe- they are stepping up to be others, have been signifi- dead after police tried to ar- That’s a powerful — but un- and employment. male leaders in the co- among our nation’s most cantly more successful than rest him on suspicion of driv- surprising — sisterhood As America debates how ronavirus fight, these may- powerful leaders. Our coun- their male counterparts in ing under the influence. Vi- right there. to end police brutality while ors succeed not just because try will be better for it. fighting the pandemic. Sign deo shows Brooks taking an United in their belief that not undermining the es- of what they have working me up for a woman-led team. officer’s Taser during the at- the status quo has failed sential role that police play for them but because ofwhat Dinkin is president of the National And now, as our country tempted arrest and then fir- their respective communi- in ensuring public safety, they don’t have working Conflict Resolution Center, a San is torn asunder by protests ing it as he ran away. ties, each of these mayors is these mayors are straddling against them. Diego-based organization working to —in response to the killing Officer Garrett Rolfe, taking a different approach: two sides of a deep chasm. They lack two things that create innovative solutions to of George Floyd and too who is White, responded Bottoms is accelerating They’re striving to support can be kryptonite to good challenging issues, including many other Black men and with three shots, hitting planned police reforms, civil rights but also support leaders: bravado and ego. intolerance and incivility. NCRC is women — I once again want Brooks in the back. which include Atlanta’s use- the police departments they Male leaders are often their nationally recognized for its conflict to follow a female leader in By the time the CNN pro- of-force and duty-to-inter- oversee. own worst enemies. There management and communication the battle for racial justice. If gram aired, Mayor Bottoms vene policies. In Atlanta, Bottoms has are too many examples to strategies. To learn about NCRC’s the leader I’m following is had already fired Rolfe and Lightfoot will focus on re- called for an end to some of list here. programming, visit ncrconline.com Black, all the better. accepted the resignation of structuring the police the actions that have oc- Instead, these women

environmental activist who SMOLENS later was elected to the council, was opposed. FROM B1 What SeaWorld had in buildings were constructed mind for the exemption was in La Jolla and Pacific vague, at best. The cam- Beach. paign in favor leaned heavily This makes the redevel- on the image of SeaWorld opment of the Midway providing ocean-wildlife District a citywide issue education and its efforts to because the height limit can rescue stranded and injured only be changed by all San animals along the coast. Diego voters, not just those When its Orlando, Fla., who live in the area. The park opened a roller-coaster City Council likely will put it ride called Journey to At- on the November ballot. lantis earlier that year, Frye The height limit has and others warned that’s often been called a third rail what was coming to San in San Diego politics — Diego. touch it and bad things will SeaWorld officials had happen. That’s not surpris- said at community meetings ing, given San Diegans’ love that roller coasters weren’t of the coast and desire to in the plans. But eventually protect it. anew ride made possible by But again, the politics the exemption was built — a may be different for the Journey to Atlantis. Midway District, which “It’s not a roller coaster,” NELVIN C. CEPEDA U-T certainly won’t be mistaken then-SeaWorld General Protesters begin their protest in front of the La Mesa Police Department headquarters on May 30. for La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Manager Dennis Burks told Ocean Beach or Point The San Diego Union-Trib- over a wide variety of cases whenever He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor in Loma. une in 2004 when it opened. CHARGES they want to. He said in this case there March 2019 and was placed on probation Campbell proposed the “It’s a splashdown ride.” might be an additional reason. for a term of three years. height exemption along Adecade later, the Voice FROM B1 “They might be trying to send a little Michael Crowley, a criminal defense with council member Chris of San Diegonoted that by the San Diego County district attor- bit of a signal,” he said. “The feds are the lawyer, said a conviction in federal court Cate and it is supported by “SeaWorld itself calls the ney. But that case was dismissed when big dog. When they say they want some- carries lifelong consequences and can’t the Midway-Pacific High- attraction a ‘water coaster federal prosecutors stepped in. thing they get together with the DA and be expunged. He said federal prose- way Planning Group, ride’ on its website, and U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer did not say we really want to prosecute this, we cutors likely selected the cases for a rea- among other organizations. websites like Wikipedia and respond to questions about why the two can getmore(prison) time on the federal son. “They obviously handpicked two “This is our opportunity Yelp refer to it as a roller cases have become federal matters and side.” good cases that they think they can to redevelop the city’s prop- coaster.” why the state is not prosecuting the two BothKarasandAlvarezhavepleaded make some hay out of,” he said. erties and the entire com- Frye said that should men. Instead he issued astatement simi- not guilty and are free on bond. Alvarez’s Around the country, federal prose- munity, and to change it serve as a lesson. She added lar to the one issued when the charges attorney did not respond to several re- cutors have filed at least 50 cases, some from a blighted commercial- that the lack of specifics of were announced. quests for comment. The lawyer for involving several defendants, stemming industrial zone into a vital what the Midway height- “U.S. Attorneys are vested with the Karas also did not respond. from protests that turned violent, ac- community that embodies limit exemption would clear discretion and authority to bring According to the complaint in Karas’s cording to a search of published reports. the city’s and the communi- bring, and that no guaran- federal charges where they are war- case, he and his girlfriend were sitting on The charges include arson, assault, riot- ty’s vision,” Cathy Kenton, tees of affordable housing ranted by facts and the law,” he said. the street at the corner of Allison Street ing and some weapons charges. chair of the Midway-Pacific come with it, “gives me “They are also the chief law enforcement and Spring Street in La Mesa around 2 On May 31, U.S. Attorney General Highway Planning Group, pause.” officers in their districts and have a.m. May 31. Police told the crowd to dis- William Barr issued a statement decry- told the council’s Rules “If you tell people in worked together with federal, state, and perse and when Karas did not, he wasar- ing the violence and looting, and urging Committee earlier this advance exactly what you’re local law enforcement to hold those ac- rested. Officers found two bottles filled local authorities to re-establish order on month. going to do and what benefit countable who have exploited a legiti- with gasoline with a wick, and arrested the streets, including calling out the Na- They say the height-limit the public will get, people mate protest movement to cause chaos him. Karas told police he brought the de- tional Guard. Barr blamed “outsideradi- zone was simply drawn to are open to consideration,” and commit crimes.” vicesto theprotestintendingto usethem cals and agitators” for the destruction include land west of Inter- she said. Tanya Sierra, public affairs officer for butneverdid.Thatnight,three buildings and singled out the left-wing antifa “and state 5 and suggest the If the coastal zone ex- DistrictAttorneySummerStephan,said were setonfire,butKarashasdeniedset- other similar groups.” Midway District was arbi- emption is passed by voters, the cases were handled by federal prose- ting them. In the weeks since, nearly all arrested trarily and wrongly included Campbell said zoning in the cutors for the simple reason that the po- In a social media post the next day he have no known links to antifa, while the because of that. Midway District would still tential penalties are greater under fed- lamented he had ruined “my whole life cases involving Carrillo and three other Further, proponents limit heights to between 30 eral law. up in less than 24 hours,” and again de- men in arrested on terrorism contend it’s a prime spot for and 100 feet, depending on Karas is charged with possession of nied participating in any lootingor burn- charges for allegedly plotting to incite vi- dense development because the parcel of land, according an unregistered destructive device, ing. A GoFundMe page, since deactivat- olence during peaceful protests there of the bus routes, nearby to KPBS. which carries a maximum sentence of 10 ed, was set up by the girlfriend to raise have been linked to far-right extremists. freeways and proximity to But changing those can years in prison. The parallel charge money for his legal defense and insisted Inhisstatement,Barrsaidfederalau- the Old Town trolley sta- be done at City Hall and under statelawis a“wobbler,” meaningit he was a peaceful protester. thoritieswerereadyto help,includingus- tion. don’t require a vote of the could be chargedas either amisdemean- The complaintin Alvarez’scase is still ing the 56 Joint Terrorism Task Forces There are no ocean views people. Besides, the city is or that carries apossible maximum term under seal. A news release on the charge around the country to identify “criminal to obstruct, whether you’re moving toward automatic of one year, or a more serious felony with from the U.S. Attorney said someone in organizers and instigators” of the vi- looking from the sports waivers for density and potential sentences of 16 months, two or the crowd aimed a laser at a police heli- olence. arena parking lot or from in height restrictions along three years in prison. copter monitoring the protest around “Federallawenforcement actions will front of the Big Lots! down major transportation corri- Alvarez is chargedwith aiming alaser 8:30p.m. and continued doing so over the be directed at apprehending and charg- the street. The Midway dors, including the Midway pointer at an aircraft, which carries a course of an hour. Alvarez was arrested ingtheviolentradicalagitatorswhohave District is bounded by I-5 on District. maximum term of five years in prison. an hour or so later, based on a descrip- hijacked peaceful protest and are en- the east, I-8 and the San On the western edge of There are a couple of state laws that tion from police, and was found with a la- gaged in violations of federal law,” he Diego River to the north, the district at the foot of the could apply, the more serious one the ser pointer in his pocket. said. San Diego International hill leading up into Point same “wobbler”-type offense of either a While both cases can be federal Meanwhile, Stephan’soffice is review- Airport on the south and Loma stands the former felony or misdemeanor, with the same crimes,localprosecutorsinthepasthave ing 23 cases for possible state charges. Point Loma to the west. Cabrillo , which 16-month low term and three-year maxi- pursued cases against people accused of The San Diego City Attorney’s Office, Still, there’s bound to be now houses the EF Interna- mum. pointing laser pointers at aircraftin state which handles misdemeanor crimes, is stiff opposition to this tional Language Center. Mario Conte, a former head of the court rather than federal. In 2018, a Pa- reviewing at least 50 cases for possible change in the height limit, The original structure was Federal Defender’s Office in San Diego cific Beach man was charged with point- charges. not only out of fear it may built in the late 1950s and and retired law professor, said that fed- ing a laser at a San Diego sheriff helicop- lead to similar proposals in many years later was ex- eral prosecutors can assert jurisdiction ter, but a jury deadlocked on the charge. [email protected] beach communities, but panded to the 140-foot tower because of a previous move that is there today. to alter it. People might want to “We’re looking at a blan- take a look and see if they’d FISH ket exemption of what will be comfortable with more. be built,” former council Buildings that tall may not FROM B1 member Donna Frye said of necessarily be the future of open yet, Gardner said. the Midway proposal. “This the Midway District, but the Each participant would is the SeaWorld playbook.” potential would be there. selladifferent typeofseafood, Across the river from the such as prawns, crabs, fish or district are the SeaWorld Tweet of the Week lobster, so that an assort- roller coasters that can be Goes to Christopher ment would be available, he seen from miles away. They Cadelago (@ccadelago) of said. About four or five fisher- were allowed to be built (and U-T alum). man so far are committed to because a height-limit “What a time to be John the idea, he said, and some of exemption was narrowly Roberts.” them already have experi- approved by voters in 1998 ence from selling their catch after an emotional cam- michael.smolens@ at outdoor markets in San Di- paign. At the time, Frye, an sduniontribune.com ego or Orange County. Fish markets elsewhere show Saturday is usually the busiest day for sales, and that increasing the number of days does not do much to boost the overall business. The idea is to have local fisherman selling a variety of U-T FILE locally caught products, he Some commercial fishermen who dock in Oceanside and San Diego sold fish at said.Seafoodcaughtbyboats local harbors when orders from restaurants fell away during the pandemic. not kept at the Oceanside harbor would only be brought cided is whether the market ucts the vendors sell and see more than two dozen small in when local products are will be overseen by a board of that they complement other shops, restaurants and other not available. directors, elected by the fish- businesses at the harbor. enterprises sprinkled around “There are logistics to be ermen, that would establish Gardner said he would make the marina. worked out,” Gardner said. rules and guidelines for the another presentation to the K.C. ALFRED U-T FILE “Other harbors have been do- venture, he said. committee when moredetails [email protected] The original San Diego Sports Arena in the Midway ing this for quite some time.” The board could help de- of the plan are available. (760) 529-4927 District is now the Pechanga Arena San Diego. Amongtheissues to be de- termine which seafood prod- The Harbor Village has Tw itter: @phildiehl