The Bay Area is bracing for potential federal intervention, with local leaders urgently calling for peaceful resistance against what they see as an aggressive federal strategy. San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, alongside other regional leaders like Governor Gavin Newsom and Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, are united in their message: do not take the bait.

With reports of at least 100 US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents assembling at Coast Guard Base Alameda, tensions are high. The potential operation, which appears focused on immigration enforcement, has sparked serious concerns about community safety and civil liberties.

Mayor Lurie emphasized the critical importance of peaceful protest, stating that “violence and destruction will only open the door to a more aggressive response”. He warned that federal tactics are deliberately designed to “instill fear” and potentially provoke a violent reaction that could justify further militarization.

Governor Newsom was even more direct, calling out the “authoritarian playbook” of the current administration. He urged residents to remain calm, understanding that provocative responses could play into a larger strategic narrative aimed at justifying increased federal intervention.

The Department of Homeland Security claims the operation targets “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens,” but local leaders remain skeptical. Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee reinforced the city’s commitment to being a sanctuary for immigrant families, emphasizing that real public safety comes from community-based solutions, not federal military occupation.

The City of Alameda has also issued a statement, urging residents to avoid direct interaction with federal law enforcement while maintaining the right to peaceful protest. City Attorney David Chiu stands ready to take legal action if any deployment appears illegal.

As the Bay Area watches and waits, the message from local leadership is clear: stay united, stay peaceful, and don’t allow provocative tactics to divide the community. The resilience and solidarity of San Francisco and its neighboring cities will be their strongest defense against what they perceive as unwarranted federal aggression.