September 12, 2008
Scenes from Today's Anti-Violence Protest at City Hall
Oh wow.
Mr. Jim Herd has word that a couple of hundred or so high school students from the Mission have taken to the steps of City Hall. Why? Because of the recent spike in murder that has plagued the Mission district. And they're none too thrilled. (Really, you don't want to upset a Mission High student. Trust us.)
Anyway, the protest is happening right now (1 p.m.-ish). From what we're told, some of them are carrying black and white photos (of a dead classmate?), the vibe has the feel of a prep rally, and there are chants of "What do we want?/[inaudible]/When do we want it?/Now!" (Let's assume for now that the inaudible part of the chant has something to do with street violence.)
More info as it comes in, folks.
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ain't no power like the power of the people cuz the power of the people don't stop!
"R.I.P. Josh" is one of the signs.
I believe the protest is being organized by folks from June Jordan High School.
Just got back from a walk over there from my office. I commend the drumming!
who cares about violence....I want summer!
Has anyone gotten stabbed or shot yet? Would be an anti-violence rally without...my bad, that is Oakland.
I was unaware that the violence was originating at City Hall.
i see some day-glo orange, but no red or blue. just sayin'...
also i think this is an awesome idea and commend the kids for their demonstration but am afraid what will happen when(just like after I sent my 200-plus-name to save My So-Called Life from being canceled) nothing happens as a result of their efforts.
duck!
It's about time people get their City back. Good job kids, keep trying to get the message out to the Courts who let the mongrels back on the streets.
as a mission alum it is moments like this that make me proud of the students i went to school with. even if it was june jordan's organization, i am always happy to see students who are often pegged as apathetic and miscriants taking peaceful proactive stances on issues that effect our community. too bad mr. truitt left, but i hope the new principal will be able to maintain his integrity and trend towards positive change.
I am the parent of one of the seniors from this school and I was there today.
June Jordan School for Equity is a SFUSD small school with a student body of about 250 high school students. The school is at the site of the old Luther Burbank Middle School. The school was named by the first class of students. See This is the sixth year of the school. There has been two graduating classes. Most of the graduates have gone on four-year university. This is a school of community, social justice & independent thinkers. This school serves the "under served" to meet the students where they are and works to get them ready for any university in the land.
The day before the start of classes an alum going the SFSU, Jorge Hurtado, was shot and killed in the Mission. Last Friday a senior, Joshua Cameron, was shot and killed in the Filmore. Another child was shot and is in a coma. If he lives, he will be blind for life. As the school's Co-Director wrote in the letter "Our school community is responding to these tragedies in several ways, from mourning and honoring these decent and honorable young men who lost their lives, to taking action in an attempt to bring peace and justice to our city's streets." Today's peace rally was just one of the elements of their actions.
The students in the photos were just those on the first two buses. A total of five full buses held the mourning and angry student body of JJSE. The rally was student led with questions asked of SF leaders. Ross Mirkarimi, Gerardo Sandoval, Tom Ammiano and Chris Daly all spoke to the group after the students asked questions of the first three. They had questions for the mayor but he couldn't make it. He sent Hydra Mendoza in his place. The students tried to ask her the mayor's questions but adult outsiders shouted her down with cries of "Where's the Mayor?"
The students invited family members, of not only their friends but also others whose children were gunned down in our streets, to speak of the need for peace and justice.
At the end they returned to their buses to the beat of "ain't no power like the power of the people cuz the power of the people don't stop!"
As the mother of one of these future leaders, I am very proud of our student community.
Eileen Hinds
Thank you, Eileen, for cutting through the snark and actually giving us some information. Deeply appreciated.
I walked by there today. Their shouting coordination was outstanding.
I couldn't tell what they were saying. I sincerely hope it was "Don't keep fucking killing each other."
Seriously, how do we convince kids to stop shooting each other? That shooting each other is stupid? I don't know, but we have to tell them and they have to learn.
It's not about convincing, it's about teaching at a young age to value life. Treat others as you want to be treated and if anger management or counseling is needed Get the kids the help they need RIGHT AWAY. Next the Schools need to teach and not have to spend all their time with discipline because of lazy parents AND bad role models.
It all begins at home by example.
o.k i'll shut up now.
"school of community, social justice & independent thinkers"??
gosh, way back in my day, I attended classes so I could learn the basic skills necessary to survive at college and become a contributing taxpayer.