Fans Clamoring Organization, NFL to Keep Raiders in Oakland



Supporters of the “Silver and Black” will be out in full force Sunday before the Raiders’ primetime contest delivering a three-word message to the team: “Stay in Oakland.”

A number of fans representing several Oakland-based grassroots clubs say that they will be utilizing an airplane banner and leaflets to urge the Oakland Raiders organization and the National Football League to keep the team in the East Bay.

Organizer Jagdeep Bidwal said the banner will read “Vegas. If You Build It, We Won’t Come!!!” while circling the Oakland Coliseum between 2:45 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. John Lupo with the group called “STAY IN OAKLAND” added that devoted volunteers will distribute 10,000 double-sided signs to fans before the Sunday night game. On one side, the signs will read “Stay in Oakland” and the other side will feature the banner’s message.

Bidwal and other coordinators used a GoFundMe page to reach their $2,500 airplane banner fundraising goal in less than 24 hours.

“We as a community do support the team,” Bidwal said. “We care about the team. We don’t deserve to lose the team.”

Organizers have received close to $3,700 as of Sunday morning, and Bidwal says that he may pitch that extra cash to create a billboard or newspaper advertisements in the future.

The East Bay franchise is slowly being lured away by Nevada lawmakers who are finalizing plans to make the “Las Vegas Raiders” a team of the future. During the most recent step in the legislative process, Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signed a bill into law that will pave the way for Las Vegas to construct an NFL stadium.

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NFL owners still have to approve the relocation, and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf has reiterated that the city will continue to create responsible stadium options in the East Bay in an attempt to the keep the Raiders in their original home.

The Raiders take on the Denver Broncos Sunday at 5:30 p.m. during a nationally televised contest. The teams were tied atop the AFC West going into the game.

Photo Credit: NBC Bay Area

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