S.F. protesters make their case (loudly) in the halls of power
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Mission-changes-being-heard-at-City-Hall-6251844.php
“Ed Lee, can’t you see, we don’t need more luxury!” chanted some 400 protesters Friday inside City Hall, as they rallied against widespread evictions in the Mission and in support of protecting arts communities.
Barred by police barricades from protesting outside City Hall, they moved inside, filling the atrium and unfurling signs that read “No Monster in the Mission” and “Stop the evictions.” After a series of speeches, they marched through the building’s corridors chanting and lobbying supervisors.
The protest has been in the works for months and comes just four days after Supervisor David Campos, who represents the Mission, introduced legislation to halt market-rate residential developments in the neighborhood temporarily. The measure would implement a 45-day moratorium on planning approvals, demolitions and building permits for multifamily residential developments in a 1½-square-mile area. It could be extended for up to two years under state law.
Chirag Bhakta, an organizer with Mission SRO Collaborative, came armed with a list of demands to present to supervisors, including passing Campos’ legislation. Of the large turnout, Bhakta said, “If every person who has been effected or displaced or is angry about the current housing and eviction crisis were here, we wouldn’t have enough space in this building.”
One wonders if it would be legal to impose the moratorium only on market-rate development and continue to build affordable housing.
