Yesterday Mayor London Breed declared a local emergency and imposed a curfew following incidents of looting and vandalism in the wake of local protests over the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Supervisor Aaron Peskinâs office has reached out to the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association to reassure us of efforts to maintain public safety as well as to protect civil liberties. Here is a summary of his message:
âI know that this has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone, with COVID-19 shining a bright light on the long-existing inequities in our society. There are many in our community who are hurting, and struggling with everything from food insecurity, homelessness, mental and physical health, and societal ills such as racism and xenophobia. Our office wants to acknowledge all of this, extend our support for the ongoing work to address these issues and reiterate that we’re here to help in whatever ways that we can.â
Supervisor Peskin spent Sunday touring District 3 with Central Station SFPD Captain Robert Yick to check in with small business owners and assess damage from Saturday’s events. With a handful of exceptions along the Polk Street corridor and Fisherman’s Wharf, as well as several jewelry stores on Grant Avenue in Chinatown, the majority of vandalism and thefts were confined to Union Square. âWe were able to assist with the necessary clean-up, and Supervisor Peskin has been coordinating a response and public safety plan for [Sunday night] with SFPD, SFFD, the Port and staff at the respective Community Benefit Districts. Everyone’s top priority is public safety.â Supervisor Peskin has also been in touch with St. Francis Memorial Hospital and Chinese Hospital to ensure there is a plan in place for patients and staff, including access to prescriptions and medication in light of the damage to many Walgreens stores.
Supervisor Peskinâs office continues to be a resource for constituents. If you need masks, hand sanitizer, are having trouble accessing food or healthcare, or want to be connected to community health and wellness services, please contact Supervisor Peskin’s office at (415) 554-7450.
Lastly, “if you are out in the streets in the days ahead fighting the good fight and exercising your First Amendment right to protest the inequities ravaging our community, please be safe and look out for each other.â We are all in this together.