FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 4th, 2026
Contact:
Juan Collado Diaz
Email: juanincle@aol.com
SUSPENDING THE PETITION TO RECALL
CLEVELAND’S 58TH MAYOR, MR. JUSTIN M. BIBB
To All Members of the Press and Clevelanders,
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the immediate cessation of our efforts to initiate a recall petition against Cleveland’s 58th Mayor, Justin M. Bibb. Our organizing team, which initially consisted of 25 dedicated volunteers committed to holding our mayor accountable, faced unprecedented challenges that ultimately hindered the success of this initiative.
Throughout the process, we encountered significant obstacles, including threats to personal safety, intimidation tactics, and false accusations, particularly from members of Cleveland’s Black clergy and community leaders. These actions created an environment of fear and hostility that severely limited our ability to conduct outreach and gather signatures effectively. Despite collecting over 4,000 signatures from residents across more than 7,000 households, we were unable to follow up with many potential signatories due to the dwindling volunteer support caused by intimidation and safety concerns.
Our team is deeply disappointed by the manner in which Mayor Bibb and his administration have responded to this grassroots effort. While we recognize that this action is not a personal attack against Mayor Bibb himself, it is a reflection of our dissatisfaction with the decisions and policies enacted during his time in office. Our goal has always been to engage the community in holding elected officials accountable for their actions and to promote transparency and good governance. Unfortunately, the hostile environment created by the mayor’s staff and supporters has made it impossible to continue this effort at this time.
Despite the setback, our commitment to civic engagement and accountability remains unwavering. We believe in the power of community-led oversight and will persist in our advocacy for responsible leadership at all levels of government. We plan to continue engaging with residents, advocating for transparency, and requesting meetings with mayoral officials to address concerns and push for meaningful change.
In light of this experience, we also recognize the importance of informing and empowering the community about the recall process. Over the coming weeks, we will publish a comprehensive guide detailing the step-by-step procedures to initiate a recall, including the necessary documentation and legal requirements mandated by the city of Cleveland. Our objective is to ensure that future efforts are better supported, more informed, and accessible to all residents interested in holding their elected officials accountable.
Furthermore, we want to emphasize that while our recall effort did not reach its goal, it was far from futile. It served as a vital reminder of the community’s desire for accountability and integrity in leadership. Looking ahead, we are preparing to support alternative candidates in upcoming elections who align with our vision for a fairer, more transparent Cleveland.
Our team remains dedicated to serving as a resource and support hub for residents seeking to participate in civic activism. We will continue to monitor the administration’s actions and report on issues impacting our city. We invite members of the media to join us in holding Mayor Bibb and his administration accountable for their promises and responsibilities to the people of Cleveland.
Lasty, we thank the community for their support, resilience, and engagement throughout this process. We remain committed to working together to build a stronger, more accountable Cleveland.
Together, we can make Cleveland a city that truly works for all its residents.