Committee advances resolution condemning Michael Savage’s remarks, but advisers note First Amendment limits

The committee advanced a resolution condemning comments made by radio personality Michael Savage about fasting college students and forwarded the resolution to the full Board of Supervisors with a recommendation.

Supervisor Sandoval requested the committee hear audio excerpts and said the issue raises questions about the responsibility of broadcasters that use public airwaves. The committee listened to clips that included language characterizing fasting students as "illegal aliens" and a repeated line urging that they "let them fast till they starve the death," language Sandoval described as "hate speech" and comparable to past incidents that led sponsors to withdraw support from programs.

Several public commenters told the committee they were offended by Savage’s remarks. Arora Gallegeda said the statements do not reflect the values of the City and County of San Francisco. Yolanda Mendoza said the remarks were an affront to Spanish-speaking communities. Alex Bronco and others urged supervisors to vote their consciences but highlighted the broader immigration debate.

Mark Silverman, an attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, urged passage of the resolution while stressing a legal limit: he told the committee that speech like Savage’s is generally protected by the First Amendment unless it constitutes immediate incitement. "Hate speech," he said, "is protected by the First Amendment as long as it doesn't lead to immediate incitement."

After public comment members moved to forward the condemnation resolution to the full Board with a recommendation. The committee transcript records the motion to send the item forward but does not include a roll-call vote tally in committee; the resolution will next be considered by the full Board.