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Board unanimously adopts resolution condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim bus ads
Summary
The Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution condemning anti-Arab and anti-Muslim advertisements that had appeared on public buses and reaffirmed support for Muslim, Arab, Middle Eastern and South Asian communities in San Francisco.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution on Nov. 4, 2014, condemning recent anti-Arab and anti-Muslim advertisements on public buses and expressing solidarity with affected communities.
Representatives of civil-rights and community organizations addressed the Board prior to the vote. Yaman Salahi, staff attorney at the Asian Law Caucus, urged the Board to "stand with our Arab, Muslim, Middle Eastern, and South Asian communities in condemning the most recent bus advertisements" and praised prior city responses to similar ads. Bryce Hammock of the Council on American-Islamic Relations noted a nationwide pattern of hostility and thanked the city for placing counter-ads and for prior actions.
Supervisor Maher (presenting the item) recalled a prior unanimous Board response to similar ads and asked colleagues to condemn the current campaign. Several supervisors spoke in support; Supervisor Wiener described the ads as "vile and disgusting," acknowledged First Amendment limits on removing the ads and noted prior action in which Muni donated proceeds to the Human Rights Commission after a related campaign.
The Board took a roll-call vote on item 27 and recorded 11 ayes; the resolution was adopted.
What this means: The resolution is a formal statement of the Board's position; it does not alter legal protections for speech but signals city-level condemnation and a commitment to support community safety and inclusion. The Board and city agencies indicated they would monitor impacts and coordinate with community groups.
