When a tech executive helped bankroll a private network of security cameras in San Francisco, it was touted as crime-fighting technology that would not be directly in the control of law enforcement. But a report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a digital privacy advocacy group, shows that the San Francisco Police Department gained remote access […]
Category: Government & Politics
Posted inCoronavirus, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Housing
Homeless Service Providers Ask City for $43 Million to Handle Pandemic Fallout
As San Francisco leaders look for ways to slash spending in the face of a huge budget shortfall, a coalition of homeless service providers is asking for an increase in funding over the next two fiscal years to address an expected surge in demand due to economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. The 30-plus-member Homeless […]
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Economy & Business, Government & Politics
S.F. Scrambles to Support Businesses Threatened by Pandemic
Certain businesses that had been forced to close under San Francisco’s coronavirus shelter-in-place order had been expecting to re-open on Monday. But last week, seeing a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases, city officials postponed that date. Joaquín Torres, director of the Mayor’s Office of Economic and Workforce Development, gave an overview of local programs meant to support struggling businesses and workers and how many have received aid.
Posted inCity Hall, Government & Politics, Health, News
San Francisco Pauses Reopening as Coronavirus Infections Rise
Mayor London Breed has ordered a halt to plans to further reopen the city on Monday, June 29, amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, City Hall, Government & Politics, Politics, Social Justice
Demonstrators March Through San Francisco to Mark Juneteenth
Hundreds marched through San Francisco on Friday afternoon to mark Juneteenth, protesting police killings and calling for racial justice. The San Francisco Public Press followed the demonstration, which made its way from the Ferry Building to City Hall and then on to the school district building. Read updates from the march below, and hear a […]
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Government & Politics, Social Justice
Activist Calls for Reparations as Step Toward Healing
In this interview, Omorede “Rico” Hamilton expands on remarks made at one demonstration and makes a case for addressing some of the damage done by racism with reparations.
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Government & Politics, Law & Justice, Social Justice
Appointees to Police Oversight Body Lack Reform Chops, Legislators Find
Last Monday, for seven hours, the Rules Committee of the Board of Supervisors met to grill two of Mayor London Breed’s nominees for the city’s Police Commission, Nancy Tung and Geoffrey Gordon-Creed. The commission acts as an oversight body for the police department. Lydia Chávez, executive editor of Mission Local, covered the meeting and noted […]
Posted inCoronavirus, Economy & Business, Government & Politics, Homelessness, Law & Justice
Businesses to Drop Lawsuit Against S.F. Over City-Sanctioned Homeless Camp
After backlash from neighbors, activists and others, several Haight-Ashbury businesses plan to drop a federal lawsuit against San Francisco for its placement of an approved homeless encampment at Haight and Stanyan streets. The plaintiffs plan to withdraw the suit Monday or Tuesday, Joe Goldmark, the partner-manager of record vendor Amoeba Music’s Haight-Ashbury location, said by […]
Posted in“Civic” Podcast, Government & Politics, Social Justice
Protesters Say Change Is Possible — if Political Momentum Lasts
“Civic” interviewed marchers in San Francisco to find out why they were there, and how this watershed moment might push society to change for the better.
Posted inBay Area, Government & Politics, Social Justice
Oakland Lifts City Curfew After Thousands Defied It Wednesday
Oakland’s City Council ended the city’s contentious curfew order Thursday afternoon, Mayor Libby Schaaf announced in a tweet. “Effective immediately, Oakland is lifting the curfew. We will continue to facilitate safe spaces for our residents to demonstrate and express themselves peacefully and passionately,” Schaaf wrote. The decision came hours after the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office rescinded its curfew order following days of demonstrations lasting well past the curfew.