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Supervisors split over SF 8 resolution; board votes to continue language revision to Aug. 4
Summary
The board considered a resolution urging Attorney General Jerry Brown to reject evidence obtained by torture and to drop charges against the "San Francisco 8." After debate and a failed motion to table, the board voted to continue the item to Aug. 4 so the resolution's language can be updated to reflect recent court developments.
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors debated a resolution concerning the group known in public discussion as the "San Francisco 8," with sharp disagreement over whether the resolution's facts reflected recent changes in the prosecutions.
Supervisor Mar (sponsor) asked that the resolution be continued to Aug. 4 so its language could be updated after recent developments in the cases. Supervisor Ellsberg moved to table the resolution, arguing in the meeting that the resolution was factually inaccurate because several cases had been dismissed and some defendants had accepted pleas; he said "the facts of this resolution are just plain wrong" and asked that the board instead consider a narrower text focused on the remaining outstanding case.
The board first voted on the motion to table; that motion failed (4 ayes, 7 noes). The subsequently considered motion to continue the resolution to Aug. 4, made by Supervisor Marr and seconded by Supervisor Daly, carried on roll-call vote. The clerk announced the motion to continue will return on Aug. 4.
Speakers during the debate said they supported the underlying principle opposing use of torture in interrogations but differed on whether the resolution as written correctly described the current state of the prosecutions and whether the board should weigh in given ongoing court processes. Supervisor Dufty said he had received communications from an individual who had been a victim in the incident under investigation and that the resolution as drafted "blankets" the case in a way that causes pain for victims; he moved to refer the item to committee. Several supervisors said they wanted time to update the resolution language to address the current status of the prosecutions.
No final substantive action on the resolution was taken today beyond the formal vote to continue the item for language revision.
