Meaghan Mitchell

Last April, in the early stages of the pandemic, Mayor London Breed <a href="https://hoodline.com/2020/04/san-francisco-s-shelter-in-place-extended-until-the-end-of-may-jfk-drive-to-partially-close-to-cars%20/">announced</a> that a portion of John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park would be closed to car traffic to provide more space for social distancing. The decision was <a href="https://sf.streetsblog.org/2020/04/27/finally-a-jfk-drive-for-people/">music to the ears</a> of community organizations like <a href="http://peopleprotected.com/www-carfreejfk-com/">People Protected</a>, <a href="https://walksf.org/get-involved/take-action/car-free-jfk-covid-19-shelter-in-place-golden-gate-park/">Walk SF</a> and the <a href="https://sfbike.org/news/lets-talk-about-race-and-car-free-jfk/">San Francisco Bicycle Coalition</a>, which advocate for safer streets that prioritize pedestrians and bikers over vehicles. And while the closure was <a href="https://sfrecpark.org/1538/Golden-Gate-Park-Slow-Streets">only ever meant to last</a> until the end of the city’s emergency health order, many who’ve enjoyed the car-free roadway <a href="https://twitter.com/SafeGGP/status/1375540208641437696?s=20">are now advocating</a> for the change to be made permanent.&nbsp;

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Last April, in the early stages of the pandemic, Mayor London Breed <a href="https://hoodline.com/2020/04/san-francisco-s-shelter-in-place-extended-until-the-end-of-may-jfk-drive-to-partially-close-to-cars%20/">announced</a> that a portion of John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park would be closed to car traffic to provide more space for social distancing. The decision was <a href="https://sf.streetsblog.org/2020/04/27/finally-a-jfk-drive-for-people/">music to the ears</a> of community organizations like <a href="http://peopleprotected.com/www-carfreejfk-com/">People Protected</a>, <a href="https://walksf.org/get-involved/take-action/car-free-jfk-covid-19-shelter-in-place-golden-gate-park/">Walk SF</a> and the <a href="https://sfbike.org/news/lets-talk-about-race-and-car-free-jfk/">San Francisco Bicycle Coalition</a>, which advocate for safer streets that prioritize pedestrians and bikers over vehicles. And while the closure was <a href="https://sfrecpark.org/1538/Golden-Gate-Park-Slow-Streets">only ever meant to last</a> until the end of the city’s emergency health order, many who’ve enjoyed the car-free roadway <a href="https://twitter.com/SafeGGP/status/1375540208641437696?s=20">are now advocating</a> for the change to be made permanent.&nbsp;

But not everyone agrees, including Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton (District 10), who <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/Will-cars-come-back-to-Golden-Gate-Park-Some-16048206.php">made the news recently</a> for saying that JFK’s closure is an example of “segregationist” policy. Supervisor Ahsha Safai (District 11) also believes the roadway <a href="https://twitter.com/Ahsha_Safai/status/1374436896894373899">should be opened back up to cars</a>, echoing Walton’s concerns that a vehicle-free section makes the park less accessible to families that don’t have the privilege of using a bike or access to adequate public transportation.&nbsp;

But not everyone agrees, including Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton (District 10), who <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/local-politics/article/Will-cars-come-back-to-Golden-Gate-Park-Some-16048206.php">made the news recently</a> for saying that JFK’s closure is an example of “segregationist” policy. Supervisor Ahsha Safai (District 11) also believes the roadway <a href="https://twitter.com/Ahsha_Safai/status/1374436896894373899">should be opened back up to cars</a>, echoing Walton’s concerns that a vehicle-free section makes the park less accessible to families that don’t have the privilege of using a bike or access to adequate public transportation.&nbsp;

On the other side of the debate, Supervisors Matt Haney (District 6) and Dean Preston (District 5) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattHaneySF/status/1373346265988145152?s=20">both</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanPreston/status/1374732492729544711?s=20">tweeted</a> their support for a permanent car-free JFK, as did State Senator <a href="https://twitter.com/scott_wiener/status/1373341373420556288?s=21">Scott Wiener</a> (who also attended a <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1373706349196931074">recent rally</a> for the cause in Golden Gate Park).&nbsp;

On the other side of the debate, Supervisors Matt Haney (District 6) and Dean Preston (District 5) <a href="https://twitter.com/MattHaneySF/status/1373346265988145152?s=20">both</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/DeanPreston/status/1374732492729544711?s=20">tweeted</a> their support for a permanent car-free JFK, as did State Senator <a href="https://twitter.com/scott_wiener/status/1373341373420556288?s=21">Scott Wiener</a> (who also attended a <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1373706349196931074">recent rally</a> for the cause in Golden Gate Park).&nbsp;

Supervisors Walton and Safai have both received considerable criticism for their positions, including that Golden Gate Park <a href="https://twitter.com/RecParkSF/status/1375591200170733568">already has enough parking</a> (about 4,700 spots, to be exact) and that the Supervisors should <a href="https://sfbike.org/news/lets-talk-about-race-and-car-free-jfk/">address improving public transportation</a> rather than allowing cars on to JFK.&nbsp;

Supervisors Walton and Safai have both received considerable criticism for their positions, including that Golden Gate Park <a href="https://twitter.com/RecParkSF/status/1375591200170733568">already has enough parking</a> (about 4,700 spots, to be exact) and that the Supervisors should <a href="https://sfbike.org/news/lets-talk-about-race-and-car-free-jfk/">address improving public transportation</a> rather than allowing cars on to JFK.&nbsp;

“I’m open to a dialogue,” Safai said in an interview with Here/Say. However, Safai emphasized that the decision must involve all of San Francisco’s residents. “Let&#8217;s include communities of color and working families in these conversations,” he said.&nbsp;

“I’m open to a dialogue,” Safai said in an interview with Here/Say. However, Safai emphasized that the decision must involve all of San Francisco’s residents. “Let's include communities of color and working families in these conversations,” he said.&nbsp;

“I’m open to a dialogue,” Safai said in an interview with Here/Say. However, Safai emphasized that the decision must involve all of San Francisco’s residents. “Let&#8217;s include communities of color and working families in these conversations,” he said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, since January, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) has been working on a <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/sites/default/files/2020-09/Golden%20Gate%20Park%20Sustainable%20Travel%20Study%20Prop%20K%20Sales%20Tax%20Request%20%28PDF%29%202020%2009%2025.pdf">project</a> “to review the current closure of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park to vehicles and identify and address transportation needs.” A full report will be presented in early April.

Meanwhile, since January, the San Francisco County Transportation Authority (SFCTA) has been working on a <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/sites/default/files/2020-09/Golden%20Gate%20Park%20Sustainable%20Travel%20Study%20Prop%20K%20Sales%20Tax%20Request%20%28PDF%29%202020%2009%2025.pdf">project</a> “to review the current closure of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park to vehicles and identify and address transportation needs.” A full report will be presented in early April.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JFK-CARFREE.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2657"/><figcaption>Car-free JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park | Photo by Jane Natoli</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/JFK-CARFREE.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-2657"/><figcaption>Car-free JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park | Photo by Jane Natoli</figcaption></figure>

Ultimately the Board of Supervisors is responsible for voting on the fate of the roadway, and it’s unlikely President Walton or Supervisor Safai will support a permanent car-free JFK unless significant effort is made to engage marginalized communities. (The Board of Supervisors’ vote will follow input from the Recreation and Parks Department, Municipal Transportation Agency and an environmental review.) President Walton reinforced his position on the topic in a recent <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/closing-jfk-drive-is-recreational-redlining/">op-ed</a> he wrote for the SF Examiner.&nbsp;

Ultimately the Board of Supervisors is responsible for voting on the fate of the roadway, and it’s unlikely President Walton or Supervisor Safai will support a permanent car-free JFK unless significant effort is made to engage marginalized communities. (The Board of Supervisors’ vote will follow input from the Recreation and Parks Department, Municipal Transportation Agency and an environmental review.) President Walton reinforced his position on the topic in a recent <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/closing-jfk-drive-is-recreational-redlining/">op-ed</a> he wrote for the SF Examiner.&nbsp;

Here/Say Media caught up with President Walton, whose district includes Bayview, Visitacion Valley and Little Hollywood, over Zoom to better understand his position on the issue, what his constituents are saying and what he believes is the best path forward.

Here/Say Media caught up with President Walton, whose district includes Bayview, Visitacion Valley and Little Hollywood, over Zoom to better understand his position on the issue, what his constituents are saying and what he believes is the best path forward.

Here/Say: Why reopen John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park to cars?

Here/Say: Why reopen John F. Kennedy Drive in Golden Gate Park to cars?

Golden Gate Park belongs to San Francisco&#8217;s residents, and it&#8217;s not just for people who live around the park. It&#8217;s not just for people who have certain means and opportunity to get around San Francisco differently than others. It&#8217;s really for everybody. And you need to have a conversation with everyone and talk about access.

Golden Gate Park belongs to San Francisco's residents, and it's not just for people who live around the park. It's not just for people who have certain means and opportunity to get around San Francisco differently than others. It's really for everybody. And you need to have a conversation with everyone and talk about access.

Golden Gate Park belongs to San Francisco&#8217;s residents, and it&#8217;s not just for people who live around the park. It&#8217;s not just for people who have certain means and opportunity to get around San Francisco differently than others. It&#8217;s really for everybody. And you need to have a conversation with everyone and talk about access.

Here/Say: You said recently that keeping the roadway closed is akin to ‘<a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/closing-jfk-drive-is-recreational-redlining/">segregationist</a>’ policy. Can you expand on what you mean by that?

Here/Say: You said recently that keeping the roadway closed is akin to ‘<a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/closing-jfk-drive-is-recreational-redlining/">segregationist</a>’ policy. Can you expand on what you mean by that?

Shamann Walton: I believe that with the outmigration of Black people [from San Francisco] and the impact of slavery and segregation, considering a policy that completely isolates communities of color from certain areas of the park&#8230; is basically saying, ‘We don&#8217;t want Black people, we don&#8217;t want low-income people in certain areas of San Francisco.’&nbsp;

Shamann Walton: I believe that with the outmigration of Black people [from San Francisco] and the impact of slavery and segregation, considering a policy that completely isolates communities of color from certain areas of the park... is basically saying, ‘We don't want Black people, we don't want low-income people in certain areas of San Francisco.’&nbsp;

Shamann Walton: I believe that with the outmigration of Black people [from San Francisco] and the impact of slavery and segregation, considering a policy that completely isolates communities of color from certain areas of the park&#8230; is basically saying, ‘We don&#8217;t want Black people, we don&#8217;t want low-income people in certain areas of San Francisco.’&nbsp;

We have to fight that and make sure folks understand the negative impacts of certain policies. You&#8217;re really keeping entire populations of people from being able to access certain parts of the park. I think that&#8217;s ludicrous after everything that has happened in this country.&nbsp;

We have to fight that and make sure folks understand the negative impacts of certain policies. You're really keeping entire populations of people from being able to access certain parts of the park. I think that's ludicrous after everything that has happened in this country.&nbsp;

We have to fight that and make sure folks understand the negative impacts of certain policies. You&#8217;re really keeping entire populations of people from being able to access certain parts of the park. I think that&#8217;s ludicrous after everything that has happened in this country.&nbsp;

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Here/Say: How does a car-free JFK further alienate your constituents?

Here/Say: How does a car-free JFK further alienate your constituents?

Walton: When people make policies, they don&#8217;t understand how classist their policies are. They don&#8217;t understand how inequitable the policies are—because they&#8217;re making policies with their lens. ‘I have a bike. All my friends have bikes. Everybody I talk to has a bike.’&nbsp;

Walton: When people make policies, they don't understand how classist their policies are. They don't understand how inequitable the policies are—because they're making policies with their lens. ‘I have a bike. All my friends have bikes. Everybody I talk to has a bike.’&nbsp;

Walton: When people make policies, they don&#8217;t understand how classist their policies are. They don&#8217;t understand how inequitable the policies are—because they&#8217;re making policies with their lens. ‘I have a bike. All my friends have bikes. Everybody I talk to has a bike.’&nbsp;

[District 10] is an isolated, disenfranchised community, and transportation is not easy. If you have two young children and live in Bayview, how are you going to get two strollers on the bus? Not everybody has a bike or the capability to cargo their babies on a bike—only people with means have those types of opportunities.

[District 10] is an isolated, disenfranchised community, and transportation is not easy. If you have two young children and live in Bayview, how are you going to get two strollers on the bus? Not everybody has a bike or the capability to cargo their babies on a bike—only people with means have those types of opportunities.

When you say ‘just to hop on a bus,’ —well, it takes a couple of hours to get from the southeast sector of San Francisco to Golden Gate Park, and a good chunk of your day has gone by the time you get there and try to enjoy it.&nbsp;

When you say ‘just to hop on a bus,’ —well, it takes a couple of hours to get from the southeast sector of San Francisco to Golden Gate Park, and a good chunk of your day has gone by the time you get there and try to enjoy it.&nbsp;

And yeah, you can walk to Golden Gate Park from the Bayview. You can also walk to Alaska. It&#8217;s not practical. It doesn&#8217;t make any sense.&nbsp;

And yeah, you can walk to Golden Gate Park from the Bayview. You can also walk to Alaska. It's not practical. It doesn't make any sense.&nbsp;

And yeah, you can walk to Golden Gate Park from the Bayview. You can also walk to Alaska. It&#8217;s not practical. It doesn&#8217;t make any sense.&nbsp;

Here/Say: You were particularly frustrated with the lack of community engagement on this issue.

Here/Say: You were particularly frustrated with the lack of community engagement on this issue.

Walton: Yes, I am. I found out about this because [the District 10] community reached out to me. It’s really, in my opinion, disgraceful that we&#8217;re having segregationist policies exist and talking about making them permanent. I thought we dealt with that back with Brown v. Board of Education when we eliminated segregation.

Walton: Yes, I am. I found out about this because [the District 10] community reached out to me. It’s really, in my opinion, disgraceful that we're having segregationist policies exist and talking about making them permanent. I thought we dealt with that back with Brown v. Board of Education when we eliminated segregation.

Walton: Yes, I am. I found out about this because [the District 10] community reached out to me. It’s really, in my opinion, disgraceful that we&#8217;re having segregationist policies exist and talking about making them permanent. I thought we dealt with that back with Brown v. Board of Education when we eliminated segregation.

I&#8217;m in a role where I have to think about the people who are disproportionately and negatively affected by policies. In this case, it&#8217;s the Black community, people of color, people who live further away from the park, people with disabilities, people with inadequate transportation, people who can&#8217;t afford bikes.&nbsp;

I'm in a role where I have to think about the people who are disproportionately and negatively affected by policies. In this case, it's the Black community, people of color, people who live further away from the park, people with disabilities, people with inadequate transportation, people who can't afford bikes.&nbsp;

I&#8217;m in a role where I have to think about the people who are disproportionately and negatively affected by policies. In this case, it&#8217;s the Black community, people of color, people who live further away from the park, people with disabilities, people with inadequate transportation, people who can&#8217;t afford bikes.&nbsp;

Here/Say: What have you heard from your community and constituents regarding a car-free JFK?

Here/Say: What have you heard from your community and constituents regarding a car-free JFK?

Walton: My constituents have reached out with questions&#8230; ‘What is happening in our city? Why haven&#8217;t we been a part of this conversation?’ And this constant issue of the District 10 community being left out of conversations needs to be addressed. Not everyone can afford to park in Golden Gate Park’s parking lots.&nbsp;

Walton: My constituents have reached out with questions... ‘What is happening in our city? Why haven't we been a part of this conversation?’ And this constant issue of the District 10 community being left out of conversations needs to be addressed. Not everyone can afford to park in Golden Gate Park’s parking lots.&nbsp;

Walton: My constituents have reached out with questions&#8230; ‘What is happening in our city? Why haven&#8217;t we been a part of this conversation?’ And this constant issue of the District 10 community being left out of conversations needs to be addressed. Not everyone can afford to park in Golden Gate Park’s parking lots.&nbsp;

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Here/Say: How do you respond to critics who argue that adding cars back on to JFK is bad for the environment?

Here/Say: How do you respond to critics who argue that adding cars back on to JFK is bad for the environment?

Walton: There are differences between being environmentally friendly and just being completely [tone] deaf to the needs of the broader community and particularly communities of color.

Walton: There are differences between being environmentally friendly and just being completely [tone] deaf to the needs of the broader community and particularly communities of color.

So when [critics] say, ‘He just wants more cars on the road, or he wants to kill the environment,’ that&#8217;s really counter to the message, and that’s the simplistic response.

So when [critics] say, ‘He just wants more cars on the road, or he wants to kill the environment,’ that's really counter to the message, and that’s the simplistic response.

So when [critics] say, ‘He just wants more cars on the road, or he wants to kill the environment,’ that&#8217;s really counter to the message, and that’s the simplistic response.

Here/Say: You’re a cyclist yourself. How does that play into your position on this issue?

Here/Say: You’re a cyclist yourself. How does that play into your position on this issue?

Walton: I&#8217;ve been someone who has been advocating for bicycle safety and making sure that we do everything we can to get people on bikes… with the lens of understanding that you have to be equitable about how you do that and how you come into communities.

Walton: I've been someone who has been advocating for bicycle safety and making sure that we do everything we can to get people on bikes… with the lens of understanding that you have to be equitable about how you do that and how you come into communities.

Walton: I&#8217;ve been someone who has been advocating for bicycle safety and making sure that we do everything we can to get people on bikes… with the lens of understanding that you have to be equitable about how you do that and how you come into communities.

We have folks who say, ‘I ride a bike, and I want to make sure that this area is only for bikes’, without having conversations with the community or understanding that any changes we make to the landscape of communities are going to affect everybody around. We have to make these changes and allow for getting more folks on bikes and getting folks out of cars in a responsible manner.&nbsp;

We have folks who say, ‘I ride a bike, and I want to make sure that this area is only for bikes’, without having conversations with the community or understanding that any changes we make to the landscape of communities are going to affect everybody around. We have to make these changes and allow for getting more folks on bikes and getting folks out of cars in a responsible manner.&nbsp;

Here/Say: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shamann.walton">Some have speculated</a> that the <a href="https://www.calacademy.org/">California Academy of Sciences</a>’ staff has played a role in persuading you to advocate for cars on JFK. Is that true?

Here/Say: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shamann.walton">Some have speculated</a> that the <a href="https://www.calacademy.org/">California Academy of Sciences</a>’ staff has played a role in persuading you to advocate for cars on JFK. Is that true?

Walton: Not at all. I have talked to the Academy of Sciences. I’ve also talked to the <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/">SFMTA</a> and to <a href="https://sfrecpark.org/">Rec and Park</a>. I work for my constituents. Every time a Black man speaks up, they think someone is behind it. That’s what systemic racism does. It feeds into the stereotype that we can’t speak for ourselves.&nbsp;

Walton: Not at all. I have talked to the Academy of Sciences. I’ve also talked to the <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/">SFMTA</a> and to <a href="https://sfrecpark.org/">Rec and Park</a>. I work for my constituents. Every time a Black man speaks up, they think someone is behind it. That’s what systemic racism does. It feeds into the stereotype that we can’t speak for ourselves.&nbsp;

Here/Say: What is your call to action for city agencies involved with the closure?

Here/Say: What is your call to action for city agencies involved with the closure?

Walton: The SFMTA needs to focus on getting back to full service and not all these pet projects. The same goes for Rec and Park. They need to focus on getting our parks completely open so that folks who live miles away can enjoy and share the park, like before.

Walton: The SFMTA needs to focus on getting back to full service and not all these pet projects. The same goes for Rec and Park. They need to focus on getting our parks completely open so that folks who live miles away can enjoy and share the park, like before.

Parts of the city are already segregated naturally, and they have been for years. So we shouldn&#8217;t be feeding into that and allowing for more segregationist opportunities.&nbsp;

Parts of the city are already segregated naturally, and they have been for years. So we shouldn't be feeding into that and allowing for more segregationist opportunities.&nbsp;

Parts of the city are already segregated naturally, and they have been for years. So we shouldn&#8217;t be feeding into that and allowing for more segregationist opportunities.&nbsp;

Here/Say: What do the next steps look like for you?

Here/Say: What do the next steps look like for you?

Walton: I&#8217;m definitely going to continue to advocate that JFK be open and accessible for everyone to enjoy.&nbsp;

Walton: I'm definitely going to continue to advocate that JFK be open and accessible for everyone to enjoy.&nbsp;

Walton: I&#8217;m definitely going to continue to advocate that JFK be open and accessible for everyone to enjoy.&nbsp;

Everybody should be able to go there and get there how they can while we work on strategies to make the environment cleaner. There could be a long-term conversation about what to do with JFK and other areas of the city to reduce the number of folks in cars, but you don&#8217;t do it the way that they&#8217;re doing it.&nbsp;

Everybody should be able to go there and get there how they can while we work on strategies to make the environment cleaner. There could be a long-term conversation about what to do with JFK and other areas of the city to reduce the number of folks in cars, but you don't do it the way that they're doing it.&nbsp;

Everybody should be able to go there and get there how they can while we work on strategies to make the environment cleaner. There could be a long-term conversation about what to do with JFK and other areas of the city to reduce the number of folks in cars, but you don&#8217;t do it the way that they&#8217;re doing it.&nbsp;

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. The views expressed in this Q&amp;A are the interviewee&#8217;s own and do not represent an editorial position by Here/Say Media. We’ll be exploring opposing viewpoints in future coverage.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. The views expressed in this Q&amp;A are the interviewee's own and do not represent an editorial position by Here/Say Media. We’ll be exploring opposing viewpoints in future coverage.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. The views expressed in this Q&amp;A are the interviewee&#8217;s own and do not represent an editorial position by Here/Say Media. We’ll be exploring opposing viewpoints in future coverage.

Here/Say journalist Meaghan Mitchell is on the board of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.&nbsp;

Here/Say journalist Meaghan Mitchell is on the board of the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.&nbsp;

Want to keep up with the discussion on the future of JFK Drive? On Wednesday, March 31 at 6 p.m., Here/Say is hosting a <a href="https://fb.me/e/3Tl8GhKGs">conversation</a> about equity and transportation with <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/our-leadership-0">Tilly Chang</a> from the SFCTA and <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/people/jeffrey-tumlin">Jeffrey Tumlin</a> from the SFTMA.

Want to keep up with the discussion on the future of JFK Drive? On Wednesday, March 31 at 6 p.m., Here/Say is hosting a <a href="https://fb.me/e/3Tl8GhKGs">conversation</a> about equity and transportation with <a href="https://www.sfcta.org/our-leadership-0">Tilly Chang</a> from the SFCTA and <a href="https://www.sfmta.com/people/jeffrey-tumlin">Jeffrey Tumlin</a> from the SFTMA.

Supervisor Shamann Walton on why he believes car-free JFK is ‘segregationist’ policy

Christina Campodonico

While the rest of California swings into full reopening, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is wading into murky public meeting waters as it plans for a return to in-person legislative meetings. Up in the air is what this means in the long term for remote public comment, though Board of Supervisors’ clerk Angela Calvillo told Here/Say that her team would continue to offer a remote option until further notice.

While the rest of California swings into full reopening, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors is wading into murky public meeting waters as it plans for a return to in-person legislative meetings. Up in the air is what this means in the long term for remote public comment, though Board of Supervisors’ clerk Angela Calvillo told Here/Say that her team would continue to offer a remote option until further notice.

“We want people to be safe, and we still want them to provide their input to the board, so we are offering a remote option for the public,” said Calvillo, who noted that in-person meetings by the Board would resume at the direction of the Board President with consideration to <a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cal/OSHA</a> and local health orders.

“We want people to be safe, and we still want them to provide their input to the board, so we are offering a remote option for the public,” said Calvillo, who noted that in-person meetings by the Board would resume at the direction of the Board President with consideration to <a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cal/OSHA</a> and local health orders.

Meanwhile, her team has been preparing for a world where the Supervisors meet in person but continue to receive public comment from their constituents remotely. In early June, they ran a “stress test” to figure out how to run a hybrid public meeting. According to the office’s IT department, it was successful.

Meanwhile, her team has been preparing for a world where the Supervisors meet in person but continue to receive public comment from their constituents remotely. In early June, they ran a “stress test” to figure out how to run a hybrid public meeting. According to the office’s IT department, it was successful.

“Our technical team confirmed that users were able to connect without issues, and all systems were operational,” wrote the Clerk of the Board’s Deputy Director of Operations, Wilson Ng, in an email to Here/Say.

“Our technical team confirmed that users were able to connect without issues, and all systems were operational,” wrote the Clerk of the Board’s Deputy Director of Operations, Wilson Ng, in an email to Here/Say.

But could remote public comment become a permanent part of public meetings? Some San Franciscans are wondering if it could be done. And if so, how?

But could remote public comment become a permanent part of public meetings? Some San Franciscans are wondering if it could be done. And if so, how?

The answers to remote public comment’s future lie in how things shake out legislatively at the state level, how COVID-19 public health orders are implemented locally, and how the Board of Supervisors and other committees ultimately choose to respond to the policy matter. But two things are for sure: There is an appetite for this new form of virtual participation in the democratic process, and we may never be able to go back to before.

The answers to remote public comment’s future lie in how things shake out legislatively at the state level, how COVID-19 public health orders are implemented locally, and how the Board of Supervisors and other committees ultimately choose to respond to the policy matter. But two things are for sure: There is an appetite for this new form of virtual participation in the democratic process, and we may never be able to go back to before.

The Accessibility Factor

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-accessibility-factor">The Accessibility Factor</h2>

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<h2 id="h-the-accessibility-factor">The Accessibility Factor</h2>

While the pandemic put a stop to in-person legislative proceedings in San Francisco, it arguably unlocked the floodgates for participation in public comment, making it easier for constituents to weigh in on civic issues even as City Hall shut down. Instead of commuting down to City Hall in the middle of the afternoon to voice their views, the advent of the pandemic has allowed citizens to simply call in from their phones.

While the pandemic put a stop to in-person legislative proceedings in San Francisco, it arguably unlocked the floodgates for participation in public comment, making it easier for constituents to weigh in on civic issues even as City Hall shut down. Instead of commuting down to City Hall in the middle of the afternoon to voice their views, the advent of the pandemic has allowed citizens to simply call in from their phones.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">shout out to the young child who keeps calling into SFMTA board meetings asking for the 43 to be returned to the presidio so she can go to the walt disney museum again&mdash; chris arvin (@chrisarvinsf) <a href="https://twitter.com/chrisarvinsf/status/1404907385869639683?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 15, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While the Clerk of the Board’s office has not specifically charted how the length of public meetings has changed over the course of the pandemic due to remote public comment, “anecdotally, the length of the meetings have extended,” observes Ng during the Clerk of the Board’s <a href="https://sfbos.org/virtual-office-hours#:~:text=Virtual%20open%20office%20hours%20are,of%20the%20public%20may%20have.">open virtual office hours</a>, which the office began as a way to keep connected with the public during the pandemic

While the Clerk of the Board’s office has not specifically charted how the length of public meetings has changed over the course of the pandemic due to remote public comment, “anecdotally, the length of the meetings have extended,” observes Ng during the Clerk of the Board’s <a href="https://sfbos.org/virtual-office-hours#:~:text=Virtual%20open%20office%20hours%20are,of%20the%20public%20may%20have.">open virtual office hours</a>, which the office began as a way to keep connected with the public during the pandemic

“I think it&#8217;s brought more people into local government,” adds Calvillo.&nbsp;

“I think it's brought more people into local government,” adds Calvillo.&nbsp;

“I think it&#8217;s brought more people into local government,” adds Calvillo.&nbsp;

Our own live-Tweet threads covering public comment periods on hot button issues, like <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1362172834882019331">the Ferris Wheel saga</a>, have stretched for <a href="https://twitter.com/heresaymedia/status/1369479203779833856">more than four hours</a>, and some of our reporters have <a href="https://twitter.com/stbearman/status/1359408120682844164">reported</a> sitting in on virtual public meetings as long as eight hours.

Our own live-Tweet threads covering public comment periods on hot button issues, like <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1362172834882019331">the Ferris Wheel saga</a>, have stretched for <a href="https://twitter.com/heresaymedia/status/1369479203779833856">more than four hours</a>, and some of our reporters have <a href="https://twitter.com/stbearman/status/1359408120682844164">reported</a> sitting in on virtual public meetings as long as eight hours.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thatfeelingwhen?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#thatfeelingwhen</a>&#8230; <a href="https://t.co/BJx1pNQnST">pic.twitter.com/BJx1pNQnST</a>&mdash; The San Francisco Standard (@sfstandard) <a href="https://twitter.com/sfstandard/status/1402434306711162881?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 9, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“It&#8217;s just easier to dial into something,” Grow SF Founder and Director <a href="https://twitter.com/agarwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sachin Agarwal</a> told Here/Say. “You know, it doesn&#8217;t interfere as much [with] your day-to-day stuff. And you can take a little break from work or whatever you&#8217;re doing. But also, it just feels more comfortable.”&nbsp;

“It's just easier to dial into something,” Grow SF Founder and Director <a href="https://twitter.com/agarwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sachin Agarwal</a> told Here/Say. “You know, it doesn't interfere as much [with] your day-to-day stuff. And you can take a little break from work or whatever you're doing. But also, it just feels more comfortable.”&nbsp;

“It&#8217;s just easier to dial into something,” Grow SF Founder and Director <a href="https://twitter.com/agarwal" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sachin Agarwal</a> told Here/Say. “You know, it doesn&#8217;t interfere as much [with] your day-to-day stuff. And you can take a little break from work or whatever you&#8217;re doing. But also, it just feels more comfortable.”&nbsp;

While active in local politics through <a href="https://growsf.org/about">Grow SF</a>, Agarwal had never given public comment before the pandemic and often felt intimidated by the prospect of speaking at public meetings. But the accessibility of remote public comment converted him into a more eager and confident commenter.&nbsp;

While active in local politics through <a href="https://growsf.org/about">Grow SF</a>, Agarwal had never given public comment before the pandemic and often felt intimidated by the prospect of speaking at public meetings. But the accessibility of remote public comment converted him into a more eager and confident commenter.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">What do we need to do to make sure public comment remains remote forever? This has allowed many people to participate who otherwise couldn’t. We need to hear from all voices, not just those who can go to City Hall in person&mdash; Sachin Agarwal (@agarwal) <a href="https://twitter.com/agarwal/status/1392528213415325700?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“I feel like doing it virtually, I can just talk and just be myself,” says Agarwal, who was among the first to ask how public comment could remain “<a href="https://twitter.com/agarwal/status/1392528213415325700?s=20">remote forever</a>” when Supervisor Matt Haney <a href="https://twitter.com/MattHaneySF/status/1392527356577734657?s=20">tweeted</a> in May that the Board of Supervisors would start reconvening in-person on June 15. “Remote public comment has definitely given me this new channel. I feel like now I can talk directly to Supervisors in a way that&#8217;s much easier than before.”

“I feel like doing it virtually, I can just talk and just be myself,” says Agarwal, who was among the first to ask how public comment could remain “<a href="https://twitter.com/agarwal/status/1392528213415325700?s=20">remote forever</a>” when Supervisor Matt Haney <a href="https://twitter.com/MattHaneySF/status/1392527356577734657?s=20">tweeted</a> in May that the Board of Supervisors would start reconvening in-person on June 15. “Remote public comment has definitely given me this new channel. I feel like now I can talk directly to Supervisors in a way that's much easier than before.”

“I feel like doing it virtually, I can just talk and just be myself,” says Agarwal, who was among the first to ask how public comment could remain “<a href="https://twitter.com/agarwal/status/1392528213415325700?s=20">remote forever</a>” when Supervisor Matt Haney <a href="https://twitter.com/MattHaneySF/status/1392527356577734657?s=20">tweeted</a> in May that the Board of Supervisors would start reconvening in-person on June 15. “Remote public comment has definitely given me this new channel. I feel like now I can talk directly to Supervisors in a way that&#8217;s much easier than before.”

The Ghost of Remote Public Comment Past: Prop. E

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ghost-of-remote-public-comment-past-prop-e">The Ghost of Remote Public Comment Past: Prop. E</h2>

<h2 id="h-the-ghost-of-remote-public-comment-past-prop-e">The Ghost of Remote Public Comment Past: Prop. E</h2>

Interestingly enough, this is not the first time San Franciscans have contemplated making remote public comment possible at public meetings. In 2015, San Francisco State University Professor David Lee and his students <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/prop-e-seeks-to-foster-participation/">authored Prop. E</a>, which would have required public meetings, testimony and comments be made accessible through electronic and pre-recorded means and <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/City_of_San_Francisco_Requirements_For_Public_Meetings_of_Local_Policy_Bodies_Initiative,_Proposition_E_(November_2015)">allowed live, remote public comment during meetings</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Interestingly enough, this is not the first time San Franciscans have contemplated making remote public comment possible at public meetings. In 2015, San Francisco State University Professor David Lee and his students <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/prop-e-seeks-to-foster-participation/">authored Prop. E</a>, which would have required public meetings, testimony and comments be made accessible through electronic and pre-recorded means and <a href="https://ballotpedia.org/City_of_San_Francisco_Requirements_For_Public_Meetings_of_Local_Policy_Bodies_Initiative,_Proposition_E_(November_2015)">allowed live, remote public comment during meetings</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The local measure ultimately <a href="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20151103/">failed at the ballot box</a>, with 66.5 percent of San Franciscans voting against it. The proposition was supported by Assemblymember <a href="https://a17.asmdc.org/biography">David Chiu</a> and then-Board of Education commissioner <a href="https://sfbos.org/supervisor-walton-overview">Shamann Walton</a> but faced opposition from the San Francisco Democratic Party and then-Supervisor <a href="https://sfbos.org/former-supervisor-campos-district-9">David Campos</a>.

The local measure ultimately <a href="https://www.sfelections.org/results/20151103/">failed at the ballot box</a>, with 66.5 percent of San Franciscans voting against it. The proposition was supported by Assemblymember <a href="https://a17.asmdc.org/biography">David Chiu</a> and then-Board of Education commissioner <a href="https://sfbos.org/supervisor-walton-overview">Shamann Walton</a> but faced opposition from the San Francisco Democratic Party and then-Supervisor <a href="https://sfbos.org/former-supervisor-campos-district-9">David Campos</a>.

The SF Examiner firmly planted its flag in the in-person camp in its “no” endorsement of the proposition.&nbsp;

The SF Examiner firmly planted its flag in the in-person camp in its “no” endorsement of the proposition.&nbsp;

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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“We believe being physically present at a meeting, when possible, is integral to the democratic process. Showing up shows that someone truly cares about a particular issue and took the necessary steps to ensure his or her voice was heard. Providing people, especially those who live outside of San Francisco, with the ability to influence and impact The City’s political discussions remotely makes the measure unworkable and unrealistic,” <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/san-francisco-examiners-2015-endorsements/">wrote</a> the paper’s editorial board.&nbsp;&nbsp;</blockquote>

Yet public attitudes toward remote public comment may be changing in the wake of the pandemic. An <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1400164071186468874?s=20">informal Twitter poll</a> by Here/Say Media found that 71.8 percent of those surveyed favored keeping remote public comment. When asked if he would support a ballot measure to make remote public comment a permanent part of local public meetings, Agarwal responded enthusiastically.

Yet public attitudes toward remote public comment may be changing in the wake of the pandemic. An <a href="https://twitter.com/HereSayMedia/status/1400164071186468874?s=20">informal Twitter poll</a> by Here/Say Media found that 71.8 percent of those surveyed favored keeping remote public comment. When asked if he would support a ballot measure to make remote public comment a permanent part of local public meetings, Agarwal responded enthusiastically.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">So we want to know: Should public comment remain remote even after City Hall reopens and public meetings resume in-person? Vote in our poll and/or leave a comment.👇🏾 (3/3) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sanfrancisco?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sanfrancisco</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/localpolitics?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#localpolitics</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/publiccomment?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#publiccomment</a>&mdash; The San Francisco Standard (@sfstandard) <a href="https://twitter.com/sfstandard/status/1400164071186468874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 2, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“One hundred percent. I think we have to keep remote public comment,” Agarwal says. “That&#8217;s definitely the kind of issue that we would take up and fight for.”

“One hundred percent. I think we have to keep remote public comment,” Agarwal says. “That's definitely the kind of issue that we would take up and fight for.”

“One hundred percent. I think we have to keep remote public comment,” Agarwal says. “That&#8217;s definitely the kind of issue that we would take up and fight for.”

What Are Legislators Doing About It?

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-are-legislators-doing-about-it">What Are Legislators Doing About It?</h2>

<h2 id="h-what-are-legislators-doing-about-it">What Are Legislators Doing About It?</h2>

But Agarwal and others may not have to put up a fight or even go to the ballot box to make remote public comment a reality. There are already a handful of bills circulating at the state level that would have an impact on remote public comment if passed and reform aspects of the <a href="https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/facs-brown-act-primer/">Brown Act</a>, the state’s open meeting law.&nbsp;

But Agarwal and others may not have to put up a fight or even go to the ballot box to make remote public comment a reality. There are already a handful of bills circulating at the state level that would have an impact on remote public comment if passed and reform aspects of the <a href="https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/facs-brown-act-primer/">Brown Act</a>, the state’s open meeting law.&nbsp;

<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB703">AB 703</a> would allow virtual meetings indefinitely and remove requirements for public attendance at physical locations nullifying the requirement <a href="https://www.bbklaw.com/news-events/insights/2021/legal-alerts/03/are-virtual-public-meetings-here-to-stay">that public officials disclose their teleconferencing location</a> (such as the address of their home or hotel room). <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB361">AB 361</a> would allow for virtual meetings during declared emergencies or to declare an emergency. South Bay Assemblymember Alex Lee’s <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB339">AB 339</a> would require public meetings in jurisdictions with at least 250,000 people to offer internet-based or telephonic attendance and participation options.

<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB703">AB 703</a> would allow virtual meetings indefinitely and remove requirements for public attendance at physical locations nullifying the requirement <a href="https://www.bbklaw.com/news-events/insights/2021/legal-alerts/03/are-virtual-public-meetings-here-to-stay">that public officials disclose their teleconferencing location</a> (such as the address of their home or hotel room). <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB361">AB 361</a> would allow for virtual meetings during declared emergencies or to declare an emergency. South Bay Assemblymember Alex Lee’s <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202120220AB339">AB 339</a> would require public meetings in jurisdictions with at least 250,000 people to offer internet-based or telephonic attendance and participation options.

“When we hopefully return to in-person meetings and people can still come and have a jolly old fun meeting, people who traditionally have been barred out of this process can call in, they can make a public comment that way. That’s why it’s so important,” Lee <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/02/16/long-live-zoom-new-state-bill-would-require-all-public-meetings-to-have-remote-options/">told The Mercury News</a>.&nbsp;

“When we hopefully return to in-person meetings and people can still come and have a jolly old fun meeting, people who traditionally have been barred out of this process can call in, they can make a public comment that way. That’s why it’s so important,” Lee <a href="https://www.mercurynews.com/2021/02/16/long-live-zoom-new-state-bill-would-require-all-public-meetings-to-have-remote-options/">told The Mercury News</a>.&nbsp;

Locally, District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/sf-measure-would-provide-maternity-leave-protections-for-elected-officials-and-appointees/">has proposed legislation</a> that would establish a citywide parental leave policy for elected officials and appointees and allow a teleconferencing option for those on leave who are taking care of a recently born or adopted child or a child taken in through foster care. The Supervisor is also working with legislators at the state level to reform the Brown Act to allow teleconferencing options for elected officials and appointees on medical or parental leave.&nbsp;

Locally, District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar <a href="https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/sf-measure-would-provide-maternity-leave-protections-for-elected-officials-and-appointees/">has proposed legislation</a> that would establish a citywide parental leave policy for elected officials and appointees and allow a teleconferencing option for those on leave who are taking care of a recently born or adopted child or a child taken in through foster care. The Supervisor is also working with legislators at the state level to reform the Brown Act to allow teleconferencing options for elected officials and appointees on medical or parental leave.&nbsp;

New San Francisco supervisor Myrna Melgar on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020, in San Francisco, Calif. (Photo By Liz Hafalia/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-style-default"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GettyImages-1321761304-2500x1667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4771"/><figcaption>Supervisor Myrna Melgar is proposing a local measure to make teleconferencing possible for elected officials and appointees on parental leave. | Getty Images</figcaption></figure>

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“[Board] members will be able to take formal parental leave for 16 weeks without the fear of discrimination or the fear of having to relinquish their seats,” said Melgar when she introduced her legislation at a Board of Supervisors meeting in early June. “The Brown Act teleconference policy did not have pregnancy or childbirth in mind, nor Zoom, nor any of the things that we have today. … This issue is nothing new, and yet the progress moves so slowly because of systemic gender inequity. …. I look forward to more opportunities to completely transform and shift our culture for good. We cannot go back to the way things were.”</blockquote>

District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin meanwhile is partial to in-person public comment—“it&#8217;s very, very different when you&#8217;re there in person and you can actually see somebody who is crying or angry,” he says—but thinks a hybrid option would be the way to go as long as certain “guard rails” can be put around the process to prevent deceptive political practices such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/feb/08/what-is-astroturfing">astroturfing</a>.

District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin meanwhile is partial to in-person public comment—“it's very, very different when you're there in person and you can actually see somebody who is crying or angry,” he says—but thinks a hybrid option would be the way to go as long as certain “guard rails” can be put around the process to prevent deceptive political practices such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/feb/08/what-is-astroturfing">astroturfing</a>.

District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin meanwhile is partial to in-person public comment—“it&#8217;s very, very different when you&#8217;re there in person and you can actually see somebody who is crying or angry,” he says—but thinks a hybrid option would be the way to go as long as certain “guard rails” can be put around the process to prevent deceptive political practices such as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/feb/08/what-is-astroturfing">astroturfing</a>.

“As we find our way to the new normal, the hybrid idea is appetizing to me,” he said. “You can call in from your car, your bicycle, your bathroom, and it&#8217;s super convenient. … We also don&#8217;t want it to be exploited by multinational companies who can have somebody call in from the other side of the country.” &nbsp;

“As we find our way to the new normal, the hybrid idea is appetizing to me,” he said. “You can call in from your car, your bicycle, your bathroom, and it's super convenient. … We also don't want it to be exploited by multinational companies who can have somebody call in from the other side of the country.” &nbsp;

“As we find our way to the new normal, the hybrid idea is appetizing to me,” he said. “You can call in from your car, your bicycle, your bathroom, and it&#8217;s super convenient. … We also don&#8217;t want it to be exploited by multinational companies who can have somebody call in from the other side of the country.” &nbsp;

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Legally, How Could It Be Done?

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-legally-how-could-it-be-done">Legally, How Could It Be Done?</h2>

<h2 id="h-legally-how-could-it-be-done">Legally, How Could It Be Done?</h2>

So what would it take to make public comment permanent in San Francisco?

So what would it take to make public comment permanent in San Francisco?

According to the city attorney’s office, San Francisco will no longer be required to offer remote public comment once the <a href="https://www.bbklaw.com/getmedia/9dcf0fb9-ca22-4ffe-b666-77f952bc3761/3-17-20-N-29-20-EO.pdf">Governor’s order</a> regarding remote public meetings terminates.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

According to the city attorney’s office, San Francisco will no longer be required to offer remote public comment once the <a href="https://www.bbklaw.com/getmedia/9dcf0fb9-ca22-4ffe-b666-77f952bc3761/3-17-20-N-29-20-EO.pdf">Governor’s order</a> regarding remote public meetings terminates.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<blockquote class="wp-block-quote">“However, the state legislature or the San Francisco Board of Supervisors could enact legislation to require city commissions to offer remote public comment options in public meetings,” wrote the city attorney’s Deputy Press Secretary Meiling Bedard in an email.</blockquote>

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