San Francisco supervisors delay vote on mayor's emergency curfew after tense debate and heavy public comment

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved procedural findings that allowed the board to consider Mayor London Breed’s May 31 emergency declaration and related curfew, but it stopped short of concurring in the curfew itself and voted to continue final action to a special meeting on Thursday.

The procedural votes — required under the Sunshine Ordinance and the Brown Act to consider items that arose after the agenda was posted — passed unanimously. Deputy City Attorney Anne Pearson told the board that state law requires the board to concur in a mayoral declaration of local emergency within seven days, and that actions taken under the declaration (including a curfew) remain in effect while the declaration stands.

Why it matters: The mayor’s declaration and the curfew, issued after protests over the Minneapolis killing of George Floyd escalated in San Francisco, would allow police to enforce a citywide 8 p.m.–5 a.m. curfew and was justified by city officials as a tool to prevent violent unrest and property damage. Opponents said the measure risked sweeping infringements on free speech and would fall disproportionately on black and brown residents and essential workers who must travel during those hours.

San Francisco Police Chief…