Rafael Jesus Gonzalez

The urgency of Redmonde’s words was echoed by everything each speaker had to say, their presentations centering around both the personal and broader significance behind a bookstore that also has an active political presence in Berkeley and elsewhere.

As members of the Ohlone tribe broke out into traditional song at the start of Tuesday’s City Council meeting, council members prepared for discussions regarding development on the West Berkeley Shellmound, BART’s “100 percent” affordable housing plan and a possible independent police auditor.

The newly sworn-in City Council confirmed the results of the Nov. 8 municipal elections, established a rotating schedule for the position of vice mayor and appointed council members to committees during its first special meeting Thursday.