THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2025
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by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED: After what seems like years of collective frustration from pedestrians and drivers, San Francisco Police have made headway in dealing with the unlicensed dirt bike hooligans that hoon about the city, often in the middle of the night, revving their motors and carving donuts into intersections. Since the pandemic, many a neighborhood’s collective sleep has been afflicted by the roar of impromptu sessions of late-night throttle-flexing, followed by the communal morning-after viewing of skid-mark artwork. The details on initial moves are in Jerold Chinn‘s story, out this week.
We’ve been following the story for a while. One of our sources recalls an incident a couple of years ago, where a traffic stop involving a dirt bike turned into something out of a bad action film:
A group of guys with him started throwing bottles at me and trying to grab the bike back — all wearing face coverings. Backup came. Got the bike on a tow truck. At Harrison and 17th, they pulled up in a van and on a motorcycle, blocked the tow truck driver, threatened him, and took the bike back…. Cops found the van the next morning on Shotwell with a stolen firearm and a guy asleep inside. The dirt bike cost $8,500 and was stolen from a dealership in Stockton.
Our source, a retired motorcycle officer, had stopped the group for driving on the sidewalk.
However, there is another dimension to this story, involving the use of a different type of two-wheeled vehicle. Have you ever wondered where all those delivery e-bikes come from, and why, when you make a Grubhub or DoorDash order, your delivery person occasionally looks nothing like their profile picture on the order? Stay tuned.
POINT DEFLECTED: Dear readers, you may recall our Sept. 4 newsletter column, where we detailed the controversy over a nonbinding state Democratic Party resolution urging a ban on sharing license plate data with federal agencies, which was questioned by San Francisco Democratic Party Central Committee Chair Nancy Tung.
As it turns out, progressive local committee members, led by Supervisor Connie Chan, wanted to revisit the matter locally, not so much for any policy consequences but to pursue a grudge with a level of relish that would make Donald Trump blush. The problem was that she submitted the resolution late; that gave Tung the chance to take it up herself and have allies make amendments.
The result was that Wednesday’s meeting of the committee at SEIU Local 87‘s headquarters in the Tenderloin, expected by some to be a slugfest, ended up with a unanimous vote in favor of the amended resolution, albeit with a handful of absentions and progressives walking away muttering under their breath. Clearly, the factional fracas at the DCCC has evolved from tactical thumb-wrestling to full-contact parliamentary Jiu-Jitsu. Look for a more detailed report in the coming week.
Check out links to our latest content below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
CRIME
Nearly seven years after brutal attack, ‘Grandma’ Yik Oi Huang trial begins
In an unusual development, defendant Keonte Gathron will represent himself
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
With jury selection completed on Friday, the trial of Keonte Gathron for the murder of 88-year-old “Grandma” Yik Oi Huang starts on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, nearly seven years after Gathron’s arrest. The proceedings will take place in Dept. 26 at the San Francisco Hall of Justice (850 Bryant Street) starting at 9 a.m. before Judge Eric Fleming, who told potential jurors their service would be completed by Oct. 31.
TRANSPORTATION
SFPD targets dirt bikers with arrests and seized vehicles
Police are increasing their efforts to apprehend dirt bikers who are violating laws by using new technology.
by Jerold Chinn
CRIME
Criminal case involving Yik Oi Huang and other Asian American victims enters new phase
A report from Day 1 of long-awaited trial
by John Trasviña
Quote of the week
“Democracy is noisy, occasionally rude, and it requires its participants to be informed citizens.”
— John Zipperer reflects on recent attempts to cancel free speech on late-night TV, in “Free speech isn’t free”
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
EDUCATION
Senate Education Committee stands up for democratic process as well as for California’s Jewish students
Public comment looked more like the precursor to a Jan. 6-style assault on democracy.
by Elizabeth Statmore
POLITICS
Free speech isn’t free
Politics can be a funny business. Just ask Will Durst. Or Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert. The cancellation of Colbert’s show and the suspension of Kimmel’s probably bring as much schadenfreude to some as they bring fear to others.
by John Zipperer
A&E
‘Suzanne Jackson: What Is Love opens’ Sept. 27 at SFMOMA
The artist’s first major museum retrospective will include recent three-dimensional paintings that suspend acrylic paint midair.
by Sharon Anderson
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EVENTS
Out and about Sept. 25 through Oct. 1, 2025
What to do this weekend and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
My picks for getting out and about in the coming week include outdoor festivals, from cultural to a night market, comedic performances, open art studios, a variety of music, and a walk in the woods. Read on.
Thursday, Sept. 25
See a preview of Noises Off tonight at the San Francisco Playhouse. The slapstick comedy follows a dysfunctional British theater troupe struggling to stage the farce Nothing On. Both onstage and behind the scenes are missed cues, misplaced props, and romantic entanglements. Previews through Sept. 30; through Nov. 8. Tickets from $52.
Friday, Sept. 26
The Sunset Night Market spans seven blocks and features over 100 art and retail vendors and more than 50 food vendors, so this is definitely the place for your Friday night dinner and more, like live music, kiddo fun, and a durian-eating contest. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Irving Street (between 19th and 26th avenues). Free.
Discover painters, photographers, sculptors, printmakers, ceramicists, fashion designers, graphic designers, illustrators, bookbinders, and others at ArtSpan’s citywide celebration of community and artists, Fall Open Studios. Free.
Saturday, Sept. 27
Today is Free National Parks Day, so if you haven’t been to Muir Woods in a while, today’s the day. You will, however, still have to pay for parking or the shuttle, and reservations are always required. Free.
The Chuseok Festival, a celebration of Korea’s harvest festival, features Korean food and drink, music, community, culture, live performances, traditional games, local Korean artists and businesses, games, and activities for all. Pups welcome. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Presidio Main Parade Lawn, Free; reserve here.
The 35th Autumn Moon Festival will take over Chinatown today. Enjoy entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, mooncakes, lion dancing, and more, including a dumpling-eating contest (which will surely be exponentially better than hot dogs; preregistration required to participate). A short description of the origin of moon festivals is here. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Grant Avenue (between California and Broadway streets). Through Sunday. Free.
Former The Police guitarist (one the greatest says Rolling Stone) Andy Summers will play classics from The Police, and share stories and photos he’s taken over the years in (the great-titled) An Evening with Andy Summers: The Cracked Lens & A Missing String Tour. 7:30 p.m. at the Presidio Theatre. Tickets from $50.
Celebrate the neighborhood’s cafe culture at the North Beach Coffee and Pastry Festival, where you can sample offerings from local roasters and coffee shops, enjoy live music, interactive activities, live demonstrations, a pastry paradise, family fun, and more. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Grant Avenue (between Vallejo and Filbert streets). Free.ends through Sept. 21. 2 p.m. Free.urday. Tickets from $49.
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