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by Kia Shaun Walton
At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 5, over 350 people gathered at San Francisco City Hall to urge the Board of Supervisors to back the resolution for an immediate ceasefire. The resolution, sponsored by Supervisor Dean Preston (District 5) and co-sponsored by Supervisor Hillary Ronen (District 9), called for “a sustained ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian aid and the release of all hostages.” The resolution continued on to condemn “anti-semitism, Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian hate.”
Public comment began shortly thereafter; supporters of the resolution delivered brief but impassioned speeches urging the board to join Bay Area sister cities Richmond and Oakland to demand a ceasefire to stem the rising Palestinian death toll, numbering 17,000 civilians, at least 7,000 of whom are children.
Speakers ranged in age, ability, residency, religious affiliation and country of origin. Though representing a diverse swath of San Franciscan voices, the overwhelming majority were in support of the resolution. Advocates included organizations such as the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC), Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), Coleman Advocates for Youth and Children, Bay Area Youth for Palestine and many more.
One physician and resident of District 10 spoke on behalf of the group, Bay Area Health Care Workers for Palestine, stating, “My day to day work centers on caring for the most vulnerable members of our community. But in a world where US tax dollars fund violence everywhere … there is no healthy future for the Palestinian people without a just future for the Palestinian people.”
Additionally, individual community advocates were also present representing themselves. A 15-year-old resident of District 8 spoke to the loss of over 100 family members as a result of nearly two months of Israeli bombing. The speaker pleaded on behalf of an aunt living with Parkinson’s who has no access to her medication and is “currently homeless and … sleeping on the floor of a school,” a cousin hit by shrapnel as he evacuated his home, and another aunt whose home is “surrounded by Israeli tanks.” This story was one of many.
Many shared personal anecdotes of loss and grief, appeals to the humanity of the board members and demands for proper representation. Many more waited in line for several hours to speak to the board, some with no intention of speaking at all. One woman commented, “I am just here to support. I know I won’t speak, but it matters that I am here.”
Chris Ballard, one of the executive directors of Coleman Advocates for Children and Youth, explained the significance of the turnout, stating, “Where San Francisco goes, the nation follows and San Francisco has to make its voice known. … San Francisco is a leader when it comes to morality, justice [and] equity.” His sentiments were echoed just hours later by Supervisors Preston and Ronen.
Not all in attendance, however, were in support of the resolution. Prior to the board meeting, a small pro-Isreal contingent of around 40 people set up opposite City Hall, on the plaza green, some waving the Israeli flag.
Among those against the resolution, Jconr Ortega, a resident of District 3, explained his opposition to the resolution: “Now that Hamas is shown to be losing … we’re suddenly calling for a ceasefire. That is strange to me. It makes me believe the only reason [they] are calling for a ceasefire is because their [preferred] group is losing the war right now.”
Another member of the pro-Israel contingent, Rick Parina, however, explained that while he was there “to support [his] Jewish friends,” he “hates war” and believes “Israel has gone too far.” Ballard’s commentary might explain some of the nuances within the pro-Israel contingent. He remarked, “If you read the proposal … you really gotta dig deep to find something to disagree with.”
One District 10 resident assured consequences for board members who might refuse to support the resolution, calling them “cheerleaders of genocide” and warning that they “should be prepared to lose [their] seat. … San Francisco voters will not vote for someone who does not have the backbone to stand for peace and against genocide.”
While many are calling the resolution “common sense,” San Francisco residents – and the greater Bay Area – must wait to see how the supervisors will vote on the resolution.
Kia Shaun Walton is a freelance journalist and educator working in the Bay Area. Kia is committed to justice, integrity and community. Please direct any inquiries to kia.walton@gmail.com.
