Progressive leader Jakada Imani is Oakland's newest Port of Oakland commissioner.

Imani's nomination was finally approved, after two previous tries, by the Oakland City Council Tuesday night. Imani is the executive director of Ella Baker Center, a nationally-known, progressive organization in Oakland.

Labor leader Victor Uno also was reappointed by the Council during this week's meeting.

The vote was 5-3 in favor of Imani and was in stark contrast to the previous Council meeting where Councilmembers voiced support for Margaret Gordon, whom Imani replaces as a commissioner for the port. In fact, the last delay was specifically because most of the Council wanted Mayor Jean Quan to reconsider renominating Gordon. They also rebuked the mayor for her treatment of Gordon during the nomination process.

But on Tuesday night, and with public comments coming after their vote, Council approved the appointment with none of the elected officials offering comments.

Gordon supporters who attended the meeting were upset that they were not allowed to speak previous to the vote. There were more than 60 people signed up to speak, but there was confusion after Council President Larry Reid asked other Councilmembers if they wanted to go ahead and vote, given the fact they reviewed the appointment two previous times and the large number of speakers. Council then quickly approved the appointments.

Public speakers in support of Gordon said that Council's action shortchanged the community, something Reid disputed.

"It seemed like (the vote) was predetermined," one speaker told Councilmembers. "It would still be nice if the people came out to speak publicly on items of public policy actually were allowed to do so prior to a vote. I think the action was inappropriate ... It seems wrong."

Gordon, a prominent West Oakland leader, was at the Tuesday council meeting, but did not speak. She is a nationally-recognized champion of environmental justice and was recently featured this year in O Magazine.