THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2025
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Private clubs and public spaces
by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
Are we seeing the rise of the “Un-Democratic Club?”
Wednesday’s meeting of the Democratic County Central Committee, the governing body of the local Democratic Party, featured some drama behind the scenes. The San Francisco Latinx Democratic Club announced that it would not seek renewal of its charter with the local body.
That would be the second high-profile Democratic club that has distanced itself from the central committee. The Rose Pak Democratic Club announced in January that it would not renew their charter.
The reasons: in short, the public explanation is that the Central Committee isn’t progressive enough. A statement released yesterday by the Latinx Democratic Club, and read into the record of a virtual meeting of the County Committee held last night by club Vice-president Michael Rouppert, said in part “We are the second democratic club to intentionally not recharter, and the pattern of local clubs representing people of color leaving the San Francisco Democratic Party is apparent.”
Not exactly. Last month, the Central Committee chartered or renewed the charter of twenty affiliated clubs, and last night, they chartered a new club representing the city’s Latine community, the Fenix Democratic Club. One club renewed last month was the Edwin Lee Asian-Pacific Democratic Club.
Meanwhile, both the Latinx Democratic Club and The Rose Pak Democratic Club are heavily associated with factions in their respective communities who like to throw their weight around. Additionally, the Latinx Democratic Club recently reinstated their president, Kevin Ortiz, after an internal inquiry over charges of sexual assault – which contributed to moves by the Central Committee to institute policies against sexual harassment and assault.
Taking into consideration various kabuki performances at Central Committee meetings over the past election cycle, starting with one by the Labour Council last April, one might conclude that the election of a mostly centrist Central Committee has prompted a campaign by progressive groups to try to degrade the legitimacy of the Central Committee. Meanwhile, the Mod Squad keeps chugging along.
We’ll have more next week, plus new political developments around the city and region.
Check out links to our latest content below, or just bookmark our homepage to see the latest.
Top News
NEWS
EXCLUSIVE: S.F. Department of Public Health head: ‘Public drug use is really a problem for other people’
Dr. Hillary Kunins says role of health department and nonprofit partners is to ‘protect and support’ street addicts in absence of safe consumption sites.
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
This week, the Voice of San Francisco received an anonymous message containing a recording of a Dec. 20, 2023, phone meeting led by Dr. Hillary Kunins, director of Behavioral Health Services and Mental Health SF, regarding harm reduction strategies for 2024. Attendees included San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) employees and nonprofit providers funded by the city to handle harm reduction initiatives. The 45-minute meeting centers on the group’s support for harm reduction and worries that funding won’t be there for their budgets. Both SFPDH and nonprofit providers lament the attitudes of San Francisco residents toward drug users. Kunins, in particular, is defiant and passionate, apologizing for “getting emotional” at one point.
NEWS
Lurie unveils revamped street intervention teams
by Mike Ege
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie announced significant changes to the city’s street crisis response teams, which are charged with responding to disruptive incidents in public spaces involving persons with mental health or related needs, at a press conference at the Department of Emergency Management Tuesday morning.
REYNOLDS RAP
“There is a bypass for getting SSI without actual proof of residency: a letter from the Coalition on Homelessness written by Friedenbach“
by Susan Dyer Reynolds
Quote of the week
“We don’t have docents. We have what I call guides, and they’ll let the art ask questions, and guide you into stuff. And we’re going to sing together, dance together, cry and laugh together, whatever happens …”
—Gregangelo Herrera describes the Balboa Terrace home he turned into a museum of San Francisco’s cultural odyssey, in The Gregangelo Museum and the wonders that await
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
CRIME
San Francisco Court Watch: Fog city justice
Ocean Beach isn’t the only place in San Francisco that is shrouded in fog year-round.
by Liz Le
TRANSIT
Bay Area voters may decide on sales tax to save public transit
Proposed bill seeks funding to prevent major service cuts on Bay Area transit systems.
by Jerold Chinn
POLITICS
Californians’ right to vote for judges under attack
Judges and lawyers should not dominate the process.
by John Trasviña
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EVENTS
Out and about March 27–April 2, 2025
What to do this weekend
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
Spring! So many events to celebrate, from blooming flowers and author talks to film, music, art, and more, including an innovative balloon exhibition. Here are my picks for your week.
Thursday, March 27
The Epicurean Trader, which is undoubtedly one of the coolest stores around if you’re foodie-inclined, will be hosting a Brandy Tasting Seminar. So if that’s your pour, or if your just pour curious, head to the Cow Hollow outpost at 4:30 p.m. Free, reserve here.
Join acclaimed architectural critic and two-time Pulitzer finalist John King in discussion at The Booksmith with former Mayor Art Agnos about King’s new book, Portal: San Francisco Ferry Building and the Reinvention of American Cities. Free ($21 includes the book and guarantees seating). RSVP here, not required but appreciated. And it’s nice to be nice.
Some big headliners tonight at City Arts and Lectures: Ezra Klein (New York Times) and Derek Thompson (The Atlantic) will be in conversation with Michael Pollan, to discuss Klein and Thompson’s new book, Abundance. Tickets (virtual only): $20
The Unnamed Footage Festival, which celebrates first-person narrative filmmakers in the genre of found footage of horror, faux documentary, and POV film, is currently underway in several theaters (the cool legacy ones) throughout the city. Through Sunday. Tickets from $15.
Friday, March 28
The concert pianist Serene, despite never having attended a music conservatory, has been described as a “spectacle to match the New York Philharmonic.” (Paris Review). She will perform a Ravel Marathon for one night only at Grace Cathedral. Tickets from $39 and change.
Qi Baishi: Inspiration in Ink is nearing its final run at the Asian Art Museum. Don’t miss the modern master’s works that revitalized traditional Chinese ink painting capturing everyday scenes and familiar moments that evoke the nature’s beauty and joy in life’s simple pleasures. We need that now. Through April 7. Tickets from $17.
Listen to our podcasts
- Mayor Lurie is correct! Positive action on the streets is necessary.
- More on the Great Highway and a statue of a naked woman?
- The future of the Fillmore and the disruption at Davies Symphony Hall
- The recall of Joel Engardio is front and center
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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