One day after winning the Democratic committee's endorsement Sunday, District 9 city council candidate Phyllis Copeland-Mitchell lost her job, her supporters say.

Jacque Fielder, the chair of the committee's 12th ward in Lincoln-Lemington, issued a press release today claiming Copeland-Mitchell lost her corrections facility job today "just because she exercised her right to run for City Council." Her supporters were rallying for her today in Oakland and using the announcement to fundraise for her campaign.

Copeland-Mitchell is running against incumbent Ricky Burgess and fellow challenger Lucille Prater-Holliday in the Democratic primary May 17.

UPDATE: City Paper's Lauren Daly has more, including an email from Copeland-Mitchell's employer. Sounds like she was asking for time off to campaign. And she's being represented by attorney . . . wait for it . . . Chuck McCullough.

Full release after the jump:

Phyllis Copeland-Mitchell worked for The Program for Offenders ("The Program") in different capacities for approximately 15 years with an exemplary work record. Her current position being, Residential Correctional Facility Manager. After winning the Democratic Endorsement on Sunday, March 6, 2011 over the incumbent Ricky Burgess Phyllis Copeland-Mitchell became the strongest candidate to beat the incumbent. Phyllis was fired from her job for no cause.

This is a travesty that such a dedicated community worker for more than 25 years would lose her job during these tough economic times just because she exercised her right to run for City Council. Obviously the Democratic Party thinks enough of her to endorse her for City Council District 9.

Phyllis Copeland-Mitchell supporters in protest of her immediate termination without just cause are rallying at 4:00 pm today at 3342 Fifth Avenue in Oakland to stand with her in support of her right to run for City Council District 9 against the incumbent.

Your attendance at this event will be greatly appreciated.

The 9th Council District includes East Liberty, Homewood, East Hills, parts of Garfield, Lincoln Lemington, Larimer, Belmar Gardens, parts of North Point Breeze, and parts of Friendship.