THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
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Changing the Guard
by Mike Ege
Editor in Chief, The Voice of San Francisco
The San Francisco Police Commission elected new leadership at its meeting on June 11. Judge C. Don Clay, appointed by outgoing mayor London Breed, was elected president; civil rights lawyer and Board of Supervisors appointee Kevin Benedicto was elected vice-president.
In his first remarks as president, Judge Clay stated that initiating the search for a new police chief was the commission’s top priority. He announced that he was dissolving the search committee for a new police chief that had been formed under the previous President, Cindy Elias, based on advice from City Attorney David Chiu’s office that the committee in its announced form was in violation of the city’s open government ordinance.
“Our immediate challenge is to jump-start the process to select the best-qualified candidates to forward to our mayor for his review,” Clay told colleagues, adding that he would meet with the Department of Human Resources to discuss contracting with an independent search firm to assist the commission.
“The commission will make sure that the entire community has an input opportunity to express its opinion as to the qualifications they would like to see in a candidate being considered for the job,” Judge Clay added. “All commissioners will participate in every aspect of the review and evaluation of each candidate. Finally, the commission will provide continual, regular public updates throughout this process.”
Chief Bill Scott announced his departure from the SFPD last month. He is taking a position in Los Angeles as the first chief of the public safety department of that city’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority. His place is being filled temporarily by Mayor Daniel Lurie’s public safety czar, former San Francisco Police Department Commander Paul Yep.
Judge Clay and Benedicto were elected unanimously by the commission with a six-person quorum; outgoing Commissioner Jesus Yañez’s seat remains empty, but the Board of Supervisors is expected to name his replacement soon. Among those who have applied for the seat is Richmond district activist and former Supervisorial candidate Marjan Philhour.
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Top News
DRUGS
San Francisco voters urge unity to tackle fentanyl
The majority of voters favor federal intervention to deport drug traffickers.
by Liz Le
Our justice system is facing unprecedented times of polarity. San Francisco watched as ICE protests in Los Angeles erupted into violence and Waymo burnings. Subsequently, our city faced its own violent anti-ICE protest, which resulted in SFPD rounding up 148 agitators, half of whom were out-of-towners.
EDUCATION
San Francisco should renew and revise ethnic studies
Ethnic studies have an important place in education, especially in the current environment where public institutions, even democracy, are being targeted. But as presently taught in SFUSD high schools, they’re not up to this important task.
by John Trasviña
ASIAN VOICES
An Asian American graduate stands up to hate
A salutatorian student addresses personal racial taunts with courage, conviction, and hope while East Bay school district fails to address prior multiple slurs from high school students.
by Forrest Liu
Quote of the week
“At what point do we have to acknowledge that this kind of mythmaking is its own colonization of K-12 education?”
—Lowell High School math teacher Elizabeth Statmore on how the recent ethnic studies controversy at SFUSD is another example of embedded ideologues sowing hate into the system
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
TRANSIT
Bay Area transit officials slam Clipper 2.0 delays, say Bay Area deserves better
Frustration voiced as the long-delayed fare system misses yet another key deadline with little explanation
by Jerold Chinn
HOUSING
Quick and affordable shelters don’t need to be hampered by politics
Part 2 of an interview with Elizabeth Funk of DignityMoves
by Mike Ege
OPINIONS
It’s the thoughts that count, part 1
Newsom told HBO’s Bill Maher that the Democratic Party brand is “toxic.” But can he do anything about it? Maybe, but probably not in time for him to become president.
by John Zipperer
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EVENTS
Out and about June 12–18, 2025
What to do this week and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
It’s street festival and outdoor event time, even though it’s been cold and windy, but it’s June, so layer up, as we all do all the time. But there are also some indoor events to enjoy, too. Just enjoy.
Thursday, June 12
Take your pick for these adults-only “after dark” events tonight: Late Night Editions: Isaac Julien, where you can start with local eats and cocktail bars at Off the Grid before enjoying D.J. sounds and heading into Isaac Julien: I Dream a World, a cinematic journey of film, and movement exploring power politics, and personal experience; After Dark: Adventures in AI, which will feature exhibits, talks, interactive programs, and games to help you understand how AI really works; and After Hours at EmotionAir: Air You Can Feel, where you can unleash your inner child in multiple interactive inflatable exhibits designed to enlighten your senses. Tickets from $23.
Art and Food in the Park: What Feeds Your Soul will be at the India Basin Waterfront Park beginning at 4 p.m. Celebrate local culture with a D.J., food, art vendors and artist talks, interactive activities, and more. Free admission.
San Francisco Symphony Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen will be conducting his final concerts, Salonen Conducts Mahler 2, a S.F. Symphony staple with the theme of spiritual transcendence. Through Saturday. Tickets from $45 (morning rehearsal); $99 (evening performance).
Friday, June 13
The San Francisco Jazz Festival is on the docket this weekend, with the Charles Lloyd Sky Quartet, Kurt Elling, Don Was, and others. The event includes an outdoor festival and street market. Through Sunday. Tickets from $50.
Mark your calendar every second Friday for the Chinatown Night Market on Grant Avenue. Stroll the street under the festive red lanterns while you eat, drink, shop, and support the merchants. Free admission.
Listen to our podcasts
- Drama in Judge Breyer’s courtroom today will impact the nation
- Is Mayor Lurie pursuing the correct approach to Donald Trump?
- There must be no room for hatred, vituperation and intolerance at at CCSF!
- San Francisco will be impacted by what is happening nationally…..are we prepared?
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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