Oakland mayor issues directive to start clearing homeless encampments

Embattled Mayor Sheng Thao of Oakland, California, issued an executive order on Monday directing the city to start aggressively clearing homeless encampments.

“Being unhoused is not a crime in Oakland, but it doesn’t give individuals the right to break other laws,” Thao said in a video statement posted on her YouTube page. “We must protect our critical infrastructure and do so by leading with compassion.”