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Protesters tell San Francisco Police Commission they will not leave; commission, chief pledge safety steps
Summary
Dozens of speakers—many associated with Occupy San Francisco and families of victims—told the Police Commission on Oct. 19 that recent police raids were unlawful and violent. Chief of Police defended department actions as safety-driven and said the city has distributed written notices and put sanitation measures in place.
Dozens of residents and Occupy San Francisco activists pressed the San Francisco Police Commission on Oct. 19 about recent raids and alleged police brutality, telling commissioners the encampment will remain and demanding accountability.
At a packed public-comment period, speakers described what they said were unlawful arrests and force during police actions the previous weekend. "We're not leaving," Christopher Ray of Occupy SF said during his remarks. Danica Chapman, who identified herself as the mother of Kenneth Harding Jr., who died in July after a police encounter, said advocates who speak out for her son have been repeatedly targeted: "We're here. We're not going nowhere," she said.
Multiple speakers recounted injuries, tight zip-tie restraints and the seizure of tents and personal property. Jeremy Miller, who said he witnessed Sunday—s events, told the commission he saw officers in riot gear "brutalizing peaceful, youthful protesters exercising their First Amendment rights," and urged release of people held after the encampment action.
Chief of Police Gregory Sir responded to the public comment and defended the department's Sunday operation as driven by public- safety concerns at the camp, citing hazards the department and Park and Recreation staff identified: large tarps that obstruct visibility, potential fire risks from open flames and sanitation issues. The chief said the department has been distributing a written notice describing site hazards and that the city is working with the mayor—s office to place porta-potties and hand-washing stations to address sanitation concerns. "We are trying to facilitate First Amendment demonstration and also to keep the site safe for everybody," he said.
Commissioners and the chief debated how and when notice is shared. Commissioner Angela Chan and others asked that commissioners receive copies of written notices given to demonstrators so the commission can respond to inquiries; Chief Sir said notices had been reissued and made available to the press but expressed concern about operational confidentiality when actions are imminent.
The Office of Citizen Complaints (OCC) director, Joyce Hicks, told the commission OCC has received complaints related to Occupy SF and is investigating alleged unnecessary force and property damage.
The commission temporarily limited public-comment time during the evening to manage the large turnout but allowed an extended block of comment and said it would resume remaining public comment later in the agenda. The chief and OCC staff offered to meet with commenters after the hearing to accept complaints and discuss remedies.
Next steps: OCC investigations are pending, the department said it will continue site-safety measures, and commissioners asked for periodic updates and copies of any written notices provided to demonstrators.
