'Give the Lake a Break': Oakland Mayor Urges Residents to Stay Away From Lake Merritt After Busy Weekend

Oakland, California, Mayor Libby Schaaf launched the hashtag “give the lake a break,” and urged local residents not to visit Lake Merritt after crowds descended on the area during warm weather on Sunday, April 26.

In a message posted to Twitter on April 27, Mayor Schaaf said there was “too much crowding at Lake Merritt” over the weekend.

“Please #GiveTheLakeABreak, now is not the time to relax. We must remain vigilant and #StayHome to save lives,” Mayor Schaaf wrote.

Video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows people walking around and sitting on the shores of the lake. Credit: @DABrainchild1 via Storyful