Liz Lindqwister

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins released video footage Monday of the fatal shooting of Banko Brown, reaffirming her decision not to charge the security guard who shot Brown at a Downtown San Francisco Walgreens in late April.&nbsp;

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District Attorney Brooke Jenkins released video footage Monday of the fatal shooting of Banko Brown, reaffirming her decision not to charge the security guard who shot Brown at a Downtown San Francisco Walgreens in late April.&nbsp;

Community members gathered Monday afternoon at the Walgreens at Market and Fourth streets where Brown was fatally shot, rallying against Jenkins’ decision to not file charges.

Community members gathered Monday afternoon at the Walgreens at Market and Fourth streets where Brown was fatally shot, rallying against Jenkins’ decision to not file charges.

Activists, politicians and others who reviewed footage of Brown’s death say the video proves Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, the private security guard, did not act in self-defense—contrary to the district attorney’s decision.&nbsp;

Activists, politicians and others who reviewed footage of Brown’s death say the video proves Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, the private security guard, did not act in self-defense—contrary to the district attorney’s decision.&nbsp;

Protesters demanded that DA Jenkins press charges against Anthony and that security guards should not legally be allowed to carry firearms.

Protesters demanded that DA Jenkins press charges against Anthony and that security guards should not legally be allowed to carry firearms.

Banko Brown protesters march along Market Street on May 15, 2023. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_7038-1-2500x1875.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160706"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Banko Brown protesters march along Market Street on Monday. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_7038-1-2500x1875.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160706"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Banko Brown protesters march along Market Street on Monday. | Benjamin Fanjoy for The Standard</figcaption></figure>

&#8220;I was sad, but now I&#8217;m mad. I&#8217;m so mad,&#8221; said Tumani Drew, a friend of Brown&#8217;s who says she worked with him at a San Francisco women&#8217;s center. &#8220;He was on the way to the center the day he died. All we know is that Banko was leaving the store. Anthony had no right to take his life.&#8221;

"I was sad, but now I'm mad. I'm so mad," said Tumani Drew, a friend of Brown's who says she worked with him at a San Francisco women's center. "He was on the way to the center the day he died. All we know is that Banko was leaving the store. Anthony had no right to take his life."

&#8220;I was sad, but now I&#8217;m mad. I&#8217;m so mad,&#8221; said Tumani Drew, a friend of Brown&#8217;s who says she worked with him at a San Francisco women&#8217;s center. &#8220;He was on the way to the center the day he died. All we know is that Banko was leaving the store. Anthony had no right to take his life.&#8221;

Tory Sprague, who described herself as a sort of family member of Brown&#8217;s, called for DA Jenkins to resign, saying the tape proves Brown was no threat to the security guard. Protesters then began marching along Market Street.

Tory Sprague, who described herself as a sort of family member of Brown's, called for DA Jenkins to resign, saying the tape proves Brown was no threat to the security guard. Protesters then began marching along Market Street.

Tory Sprague, who described herself as a sort of family member of Brown&#8217;s, called for DA Jenkins to resign, saying the tape proves Brown was no threat to the security guard. Protesters then began marching along Market Street.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Image-from-iOS-3-1-2500x1875.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160688"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Protesters gather at Walgreens in Downtown San Francisco, demanding DA Brooke Jenkins press charges against the security guard who shot Banko Brown. | Liz Lindqwister/The Standard</figcaption></figure>

“I think that the video confirms what the community expected all along, which is that this was a completely unjustified killing of our community member, Banko Brown,” said Honey Mahogany, San Francisco&#8217;s Democratic County Central Committee chair and a local transgender activist.&nbsp;

“I think that the video confirms what the community expected all along, which is that this was a completely unjustified killing of our community member, Banko Brown,” said Honey Mahogany, San Francisco's Democratic County Central Committee chair and a local transgender activist.&nbsp;

“I think that the video confirms what the community expected all along, which is that this was a completely unjustified killing of our community member, Banko Brown,” said Honey Mahogany, San Francisco&#8217;s Democratic County Central Committee chair and a local transgender activist.&nbsp;

Brown’s killing attracted intense local and national scrutiny, in part because the 24-year-old was shot after an alleged shoplifting altercation involving a few pieces of candy.&nbsp;

Brown’s killing attracted intense local and national scrutiny, in part because the 24-year-old was shot after an alleged shoplifting altercation involving a few pieces of candy.&nbsp;

WATCH: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/banko-brown-district-attorney-brooke-jenkins-video-deadly-shooting/">DA Releases Videos of Fatal Shooting of Banko Brown at Walgreens</a>

WATCH: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/banko-brown-district-attorney-brooke-jenkins-video-deadly-shooting/">DA Releases Videos of Fatal Shooting of Banko Brown at Walgreens</a>

But Brown was also a Black and transgender man as well as an unhoused San Franciscan involved in a <a href="https://youngwomenfree.org/urgent-gathering-to-demand-justice-for-banko-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local mutual-aid organization</a>. Though the security guard, Anthony, was also a Black man, some say Brown’s killing is nevertheless representative of the disproportionate violence faced by LGBTQ+ people and communities of color in America.

But Brown was also a Black and transgender man as well as an unhoused San Franciscan involved in a <a href="https://youngwomenfree.org/urgent-gathering-to-demand-justice-for-banko-brown/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">local mutual-aid organization</a>. Though the security guard, Anthony, was also a Black man, some say Brown’s killing is nevertheless representative of the disproportionate violence faced by LGBTQ+ people and communities of color in America.

A composite still image pulled from surveillance footage of moments leading up to the death of Banko Brown at Walgreens at 825 Market Street in San Francisco including security guard Michael Earl-Wayne Anthony, restraining Banko Brown, left, a confrontation between Brown and Anthony, center, and the shooting of Brown by Anthony. | Courtesy San Francisco District Attorney’s Office

<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Brown-Sequence.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-160490"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A composite still image pulled from surveillance footage shows the moments leading up to the death of Banko Brown at Walgreens. | Courtesy San Francisco District Attorney’s Office</figcaption></figure>

Anthony was booked on suspicion of murder the day after the shooting but was later released. Jenkins noted that “the suspect believed he was in mortal danger and acted in self-defense.”&nbsp;

Anthony was booked on suspicion of murder the day after the shooting but was later released. Jenkins noted that “the suspect believed he was in mortal danger and acted in self-defense.”&nbsp;

Witnesses and Anthony provided different accounts of the altercation, but Jenkins defended her decision, cautioning the public and press not to use the released video as their sole source for understanding the fatal incident.&nbsp;

Witnesses and Anthony provided different accounts of the altercation, but Jenkins defended her decision, cautioning the public and press not to use the released video as their sole source for understanding the fatal incident.&nbsp;

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/what-witnesses-to-banko-browns-killing-saw-and-heard/">What Witnesses to Banko Brown’s Killing Saw and Heard</a>

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/criminal-justice/what-witnesses-to-banko-browns-killing-saw-and-heard/">What Witnesses to Banko Brown’s Killing Saw and Heard</a>

John Burris, an attorney for the Brown family, said the video shows Anthony was the aggressor and there was no justification for him to use deadly force.

John Burris, an attorney for the Brown family, said the video shows Anthony was the aggressor and there was no justification for him to use deadly force.

&#8220;You don&#8217;t shoot people over a violation of petty theft,&#8221; Burris said. &#8220;You let them go. You don’t continue to fight them.&#8221;

"You don't shoot people over a violation of petty theft," Burris said. "You let them go. You don’t continue to fight them."

&#8220;You don&#8217;t shoot people over a violation of petty theft,&#8221; Burris said. &#8220;You let them go. You don’t continue to fight them.&#8221;

The Party for Socialism and Liberation hosted the protest at Walgreens Monday evening.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation hosted the protest at Walgreens Monday evening.

&#8220;DA Brooke Jenkins has dropped all charges against the killer of Banko Brown on bogus claims of self-defense,&#8221; an email from the protest organizers said. &#8220;We saw the video, that’s a lie! The footage she released shows a lethally armed Walgreens security guard shooting Banko as he was leaving the store.&#8221;

"DA Brooke Jenkins has dropped all charges against the killer of Banko Brown on bogus claims of self-defense," an email from the protest organizers said. "We saw the video, that’s a lie! The footage she released shows a lethally armed Walgreens security guard shooting Banko as he was leaving the store."

&#8220;DA Brooke Jenkins has dropped all charges against the killer of Banko Brown on bogus claims of self-defense,&#8221; an email from the protest organizers said. &#8220;We saw the video, that’s a lie! The footage she released shows a lethally armed Walgreens security guard shooting Banko as he was leaving the store.&#8221;

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-community-leaders-react">Community Leaders React</h2>

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<h2 id="h-community-leaders-react">Community Leaders React</h2>

A growing number of San Francisco supervisors are calling for state and federal authorities to review the case revolving around Brown’s death, after Jenkins’ office released footage Monday.&nbsp;

A growing number of San Francisco supervisors are calling for state and federal authorities to review the case revolving around Brown’s death, after Jenkins’ office released footage Monday.&nbsp;

And local community members are worried that the district attorney’s decision will set a dangerous precedent for police officers’ and security guards’ use of force.&nbsp;

And local community members are worried that the district attorney’s decision will set a dangerous precedent for police officers’ and security guards’ use of force.&nbsp;

“If [the security guard] is allowed to go free after shooting someone for spitting at him, what kind of message does that send to the general public?” Mahogany said. “When we talk about the Black Lives Matter movement and the work that has happened over the past few years to seek justice and accountability, it seems like we’re taking a step backward.”&nbsp;

“If [the security guard] is allowed to go free after shooting someone for spitting at him, what kind of message does that send to the general public?” Mahogany said. “When we talk about the Black Lives Matter movement and the work that has happened over the past few years to seek justice and accountability, it seems like we’re taking a step backward.”&nbsp;

Lateefah Simon, District 7 director on BART board, is running for the Congressional seat of Barbara Lee, who is running for U.S. Senate. Simon has served on the BART board since 2016.

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/BCN-20230228-LATEEFAHSIMON-01-2500x1667.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-132054"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Lateefah Simon | Kevin Meynell/Lateefah Simon for Congress via Bay City News</figcaption></figure>

Lateefah Simon, a BART Board director and candidate to replace Rep. Barbara Lee in Congress, knew Brown from her past work as the executive director of the Young Women&#8217;s Freedom Center, where Brown was a volunteer activist.

Lateefah Simon, a BART Board director and candidate to replace Rep. Barbara Lee in Congress, knew Brown from her past work as the executive director of the Young Women's Freedom Center, where Brown was a volunteer activist.

Lateefah Simon, a BART Board director and candidate to replace Rep. Barbara Lee in Congress, knew Brown from her past work as the executive director of the Young Women&#8217;s Freedom Center, where Brown was a volunteer activist.

Simon, who said she was “at a loss for words” after watching the video, says she is more concerned about the killing and its impacts on the community than the charging decision by Jenkins. Anthony, Simon said, still has to live with what happened for the rest of his life.

Simon, who said she was “at a loss for words” after watching the video, says she is more concerned about the killing and its impacts on the community than the charging decision by Jenkins. Anthony, Simon said, still has to live with what happened for the rest of his life.

&#8220;A charge or no charge, that’s not going to bring back Banko,&#8221; Simon said.

"A charge or no charge, that’s not going to bring back Banko," Simon said.

&#8220;A charge or no charge, that’s not going to bring back Banko,&#8221; Simon said.

Banko Brown shooting: Protesters decry DA’s decision not to prosecute guard

Han Li

Scott Shafer

Note: This story was produced as part of a partnership between KQED and The San Francisco Standard.

Note: This story was produced as part of a partnership between KQED and The San Francisco Standard.

Selena Chu tightened up her double masks and braved the Omicron threat on a recent sunny Saturday to join a volunteer event in support of the recall of three San Francisco school board members.

Selena Chu tightened up her double masks and braved the Omicron threat on a recent sunny Saturday to join a volunteer event in support of the recall of three San Francisco school board members.

“I’m here with the Chinese language voter registration form to encourage them. ‘Hey, have you signed up? If you haven&#8217;t, this is your chance. I can help you,’” said Chu, a Chinese immigrant and a public school parent.

“I’m here with the Chinese language voter registration form to encourage them. ‘Hey, have you signed up? If you haven't, this is your chance. I can help you,’” said Chu, a Chinese immigrant and a public school parent.

“I’m here with the Chinese language voter registration form to encourage them. ‘Hey, have you signed up? If you haven&#8217;t, this is your chance. I can help you,’” said Chu, a Chinese immigrant and a public school parent.

Chu, along with many Asian community activists, sees the passion ignited by the school board recall as an opportunity to fight apathy among Chinese San Franciscans who are eligible to vote but don’t.

Chu, along with many Asian community activists, sees the passion ignited by the school board recall as an opportunity to fight apathy among Chinese San Franciscans who are eligible to vote but don’t.

Asian American activists hosting voter registration event at the Asian Community Garden in San Francisco on Jan. 22, 2022. | Han Li

<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://content.sfstandard.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/IMG_2651-2500x1875.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-30781"/><figcaption>Asian American parent activists hosting a voter registration event at the Asian Community Garden in San Francisco on Jan. 22, 2022. | Han Li</figcaption></figure>

Recall supporters are confident they have <a href="https://sfstandard.com/community/school-board-recall-drives-record-number-of-non-citizen-voters/">heavy support in the Chinese American community</a>. One of the board members facing recall, Alison Collins, made comments on Twitter that appeared to be anti-Asian, and many Asian parents, including Chu, are against efforts to end merit-based admissions at the elite Lowell High School, where Asian students are the majority. The three board members are also blamed for failing to re-open schools until more than a year into the pandemic.

Recall supporters are confident they have <a href="https://sfstandard.com/community/school-board-recall-drives-record-number-of-non-citizen-voters/">heavy support in the Chinese American community</a>. One of the board members facing recall, Alison Collins, made comments on Twitter that appeared to be anti-Asian, and many Asian parents, including Chu, are against efforts to end merit-based admissions at the elite Lowell High School, where Asian students are the majority. The three board members are also blamed for failing to re-open schools until more than a year into the pandemic.

Yet San Francisco’s top Asian American public officials are not on the same page—and don’t much want to talk about it. Supervisors Gordon Mar and Connie Chan, along with Assemblyman Phil Ting, all called on Collins to resign after her controversial tweets were publicized. But none of them supports the recall of Collins and her two colleagues, Gabriela Lopez and Faauuga Moliga.

Yet San Francisco’s top Asian American public officials are not on the same page—and don’t much want to talk about it. Supervisors Gordon Mar and Connie Chan, along with Assemblyman Phil Ting, all called on Collins to resign after her controversial tweets were publicized. But none of them supports the recall of Collins and her two colleagues, Gabriela Lopez and Faauuga Moliga.

Ting declined to make himself available for an interview. In a text, Ting said: “I have not taken a position on the recall outside of my call to have Allison Collins resign.”

Ting declined to make himself available for an interview. In a text, Ting said: “I have not taken a position on the recall outside of my call to have Allison Collins resign.”

Supervisor Chan’s team, given a choice of four different days for an interview, said she was too busy on all of those days. She said in a statement that she opposed all recalls.

Supervisor Chan’s team, given a choice of four different days for an interview, said she was too busy on all of those days. She said in a statement that she opposed all recalls.

Supervisor Mar agreed with Chan. He said: “It was not an appropriate use of the recall process when we have these three school board members up for reelection just later this year.”

Supervisor Mar agreed with Chan. He said: “It was not an appropriate use of the recall process when we have these three school board members up for reelection just later this year.”

Former Assemblyman David Chiu said he’s prohibited from taking a position on the issue now that he is the city attorney. The City Charter explicitly bars the city attorney from taking positions on or raising money for ballot measures or candidate elections other than their own.

Former Assemblyman David Chiu said he’s prohibited from taking a position on the issue now that he is the city attorney. The City Charter explicitly bars the city attorney from taking positions on or raising money for ballot measures or candidate elections other than their own.

None of the four are eager to advertise their positions though: their names do not appear on the “No On Recalls of School Board Commissioners Lopez, Collins and Moliga” campaign website.

None of the four are eager to advertise their positions though: their names do not appear on the “No On Recalls of School Board Commissioners Lopez, Collins and Moliga” campaign website.

Todd David, who’s running a well-funded committee called “<a href="https://public.netfile.com/pub2/?aid=sfo">Concerned Parents Supporting the Recall of Collins, Lopez, and Moliga</a>” criticized elected officials who try to have it both ways, calling on Collins to resign, while declining to endorse the recall.

Todd David, who’s running a well-funded committee called “<a href="https://public.netfile.com/pub2/?aid=sfo">Concerned Parents Supporting the Recall of Collins, Lopez, and Moliga</a>” criticized elected officials who try to have it both ways, calling on Collins to resign, while declining to endorse the recall.

“Supervisor Mar and Supervisor Chan have different rules for themselves than they do for people who, you know, volunteer their time at farmers markets to go collect signatures,” Todd said. “I just find that argument bizarre.”

“Supervisor Mar and Supervisor Chan have different rules for themselves than they do for people who, you know, volunteer their time at farmers markets to go collect signatures,” Todd said. “I just find that argument bizarre.”

For her part, Collins, in an interview with KQED’s Vanessa Rancaño in November, insisted she is a victim of hate, not a perpetrator. She sees it as part of a larger right-wing plot. “All of a sudden it&#8217;s on Fox News. And this is all very, very organized activity that&#8217;s been happening on a national level and it&#8217;s highly funded.”&nbsp;

For her part, Collins, in an interview with KQED’s Vanessa Rancaño in November, insisted she is a victim of hate, not a perpetrator. She sees it as part of a larger right-wing plot. “All of a sudden it's on Fox News. And this is all very, very organized activity that's been happening on a national level and it's highly funded.”&nbsp;

For her part, Collins, in an interview with KQED’s Vanessa Rancaño in November, insisted she is a victim of hate, not a perpetrator. She sees it as part of a larger right-wing plot. “All of a sudden it&#8217;s on Fox News. And this is all very, very organized activity that&#8217;s been happening on a national level and it&#8217;s highly funded.”&nbsp;

San Francisco Board of Education President Gabriela López also dismissed some of the criticisms that she and her colleagues are facing in the recall campaign, including that they acted too slowly in reopening the schools.

San Francisco Board of Education President Gabriela López also dismissed some of the criticisms that she and her colleagues are facing in the recall campaign, including that they acted too slowly in reopening the schools.

“But this sense of just returning to return because of the pressure that people were giving us, or the fact that <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11858457/as-battle-over-reopening-san-francisco-schools-turns-ugly-equity-emerges-as-fault-line">the city sued the school district</a>—which I still disagree with—and trying to push these efforts to appease a voter base that honestly wasn&#8217;t impacted by the pandemic in as many ways as other communities were who didn&#8217;t want to return, is all political,&#8221; López told KQED in October.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“But this sense of just returning to return because of the pressure that people were giving us, or the fact that <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11858457/as-battle-over-reopening-san-francisco-schools-turns-ugly-equity-emerges-as-fault-line">the city sued the school district</a>—which I still disagree with—and trying to push these efforts to appease a voter base that honestly wasn't impacted by the pandemic in as many ways as other communities were who didn't want to return, is all political," López told KQED in October.&nbsp;&nbsp;

“But this sense of just returning to return because of the pressure that people were giving us, or the fact that <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11858457/as-battle-over-reopening-san-francisco-schools-turns-ugly-equity-emerges-as-fault-line">the city sued the school district</a>—which I still disagree with—and trying to push these efforts to appease a voter base that honestly wasn&#8217;t impacted by the pandemic in as many ways as other communities were who didn&#8217;t want to return, is all political,&#8221; López told KQED in October.&nbsp;&nbsp;

She also fought back on the schools renaming criticism. “The fact that people keep pointing to the renaming issue is another, for me, excuse to kind of point to that fact,” she said. “And I say that because the renaming work had begun before members were even on the board. It was passed by a previous school board a couple of years back, and work had begun on a topic that hadn&#8217;t been finalized yet.”

She also fought back on the schools renaming criticism. “The fact that people keep pointing to the renaming issue is another, for me, excuse to kind of point to that fact,” she said. “And I say that because the renaming work had begun before members were even on the board. It was passed by a previous school board a couple of years back, and work had begun on a topic that hadn't been finalized yet.”

She also fought back on the schools renaming criticism. “The fact that people keep pointing to the renaming issue is another, for me, excuse to kind of point to that fact,” she said. “And I say that because the renaming work had begun before members were even on the board. It was passed by a previous school board a couple of years back, and work had begun on a topic that hadn&#8217;t been finalized yet.”

Having raised just $6,000, the campaign opposing the recall said they’re hoping to reach voters through person-to-person contact within existing networks of parents and teachers.&nbsp;

Having raised just $6,000, the campaign opposing the recall said they’re hoping to reach voters through person-to-person contact within existing networks of parents and teachers.&nbsp;

“We&#8217;re not able to depend on TV ads and mailers,” said Tara Ramos, a co-chair of the No campaign. “So just doing a lot of footwork, getting out there, talking to our own community at our school sites and our neighborhoods.”&nbsp;

“We're not able to depend on TV ads and mailers,” said Tara Ramos, a co-chair of the No campaign. “So just doing a lot of footwork, getting out there, talking to our own community at our school sites and our neighborhoods.”&nbsp;

“We&#8217;re not able to depend on TV ads and mailers,” said Tara Ramos, a co-chair of the No campaign. “So just doing a lot of footwork, getting out there, talking to our own community at our school sites and our neighborhoods.”&nbsp;

Moliga has opted to<a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11899172/in-sf-school-board-recall-moliga-charts-separate-path-and-local-politicos-take-notice"> run a separate campaign</a>, raising $23,000 and relying largely on appearances at local Democratic clubs and community forums to spread his message.&nbsp;

Moliga has opted to<a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11899172/in-sf-school-board-recall-moliga-charts-separate-path-and-local-politicos-take-notice"> run a separate campaign</a>, raising $23,000 and relying largely on appearances at local Democratic clubs and community forums to spread his message.&nbsp;

“The relationships are already there,” said Moliga. “I’ve done plenty of work being on the school board with the Chinese community.”

“The relationships are already there,” said Moliga. “I’ve done plenty of work being on the school board with the Chinese community.”

Moliga touted a recent visit he took to Chinatown to meet with members of the Chinese Progressive Association and students who helped create the <a href="https://www.kalw.org/show/crosscurrents/2019-07-02/sf-high-school-students-seek-improved-mental-health-services">“Our Healing in Our Hands” initiative</a>. The policy was passed by the school board in 2019 to improve wellness services, particularly for Asian-American students.&nbsp;

Moliga touted a recent visit he took to Chinatown to meet with members of the Chinese Progressive Association and students who helped create the <a href="https://www.kalw.org/show/crosscurrents/2019-07-02/sf-high-school-students-seek-improved-mental-health-services">“Our Healing in Our Hands” initiative</a>. The policy was passed by the school board in 2019 to improve wellness services, particularly for Asian-American students.&nbsp;

Voter outreach ahead of the recall vote, Moliga said, will rely on these existing networks of support.&nbsp;

Voter outreach ahead of the recall vote, Moliga said, will rely on these existing networks of support.&nbsp;

“I could probably go out there and pull 5,000 votes, 5,000 people who know me just because I’m from this city,” Moliga added. “I can go to Chinatown, I can go to the Richmond district.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

“I could probably go out there and pull 5,000 votes, 5,000 people who know me just because I’m from this city,” Moliga added. “I can go to Chinatown, I can go to the Richmond district.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

City at a Turning Point

David Lee, executive director of the Chinese American Voter Education Committee, sees dissatisfaction with the school board as just one of the numerous urgent issues facing the community. Standing in Portsmouth Square, “the living room of Chinatown,” Lee pointed to the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes and the pandemic-flattened economy, noting the absence of people in the square just a few days from Chinese New Year celebrations.

David Lee, executive director of the Chinese American Voter Education Committee, sees dissatisfaction with the school board as just one of the numerous urgent issues facing the community. Standing in Portsmouth Square, “the living room of Chinatown,” Lee pointed to the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes and the pandemic-flattened economy, noting the absence of people in the square just a few days from Chinese New Year celebrations.

“To see Chinatown boarded up, we&#8217;re lacking in the kind of vibrancy that you would normally see at this time of year,” Lee said. “It is a true indication of the frustrations of the Asian-American community.”

“To see Chinatown boarded up, we're lacking in the kind of vibrancy that you would normally see at this time of year,” Lee said. “It is a true indication of the frustrations of the Asian-American community.”

“To see Chinatown boarded up, we&#8217;re lacking in the kind of vibrancy that you would normally see at this time of year,” Lee said. “It is a true indication of the frustrations of the Asian-American community.”

For the first time ever, Lee’s organization produced a “get out the vote” video in Mandarin and Cantonese with Ting, Chan, and Chiu. “Because we feel that the city is at a turning point. The Asian American community, particularly the Chinese American community, feels that the city is headed in the wrong direction,” he said, adding that many see the Feb. 15 election as a chance to change course.

For the first time ever, Lee’s organization produced a “get out the vote” video in Mandarin and Cantonese with Ting, Chan, and Chiu. “Because we feel that the city is at a turning point. The Asian American community, particularly the Chinese American community, feels that the city is headed in the wrong direction,” he said, adding that many see the Feb. 15 election as a chance to change course.

Data shows that the supporters of the school board recall are <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Who-is-supporting-the-S-F-Board-of-Education-16779875.php">highly concentrated on the city’s west side,</a> where plenty of the precincts have majority Asian and Chinese households.

Data shows that the supporters of the school board recall are <a href="https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/Who-is-supporting-the-S-F-Board-of-Education-16779875.php">highly concentrated on the city’s west side,</a> where plenty of the precincts have majority Asian and Chinese households.

The grassroots Chinese/API Voter Outreach Taskforce, which formed after the recall qualified for the ballot, said it has registered 430 new Asian American voters since just mid-December, including 330 first-time voters and 100 non-citizen parents who are eligible to vote in local school board elections.

The grassroots Chinese/API Voter Outreach Taskforce, which formed after the recall qualified for the ballot, said it has registered 430 new Asian American voters since just mid-December, including 330 first-time voters and 100 non-citizen parents who are eligible to vote in local school board elections.

While the well-organized recall supporters are confident of victory, the future is still filled with uncertainty for many parents.

While the well-organized recall supporters are confident of victory, the future is still filled with uncertainty for many parents.

Allene Jue, a San Francisco Asian mom with two toddler-age children, is now struggling to choose between public and private kindergarten. “My kids are not even in public school, but it’s important for me to stay involved,” Jue said, adding that it’s her first time to pay extra attention to local politics, and the recall movement really “resonated” with her.

Allene Jue, a San Francisco Asian mom with two toddler-age children, is now struggling to choose between public and private kindergarten. “My kids are not even in public school, but it’s important for me to stay involved,” Jue said, adding that it’s her first time to pay extra attention to local politics, and the recall movement really “resonated” with her.

“I did graduate from Lowell,” Jue considered herself a proud public school product. But now she felt being Asian is “not welcomed” in the school district.

“I did graduate from Lowell,” Jue considered herself a proud public school product. But now she felt being Asian is “not welcomed” in the school district.

Editor&#8217;s Note: This article has been updated to identify restrictions placed on the city attorney by the City Charter.

Editor's Note: This article has been updated to identify restrictions placed on the city attorney by the City Charter.

Editor&#8217;s Note: This article has been updated to identify restrictions placed on the city attorney by the City Charter.

Scott Shafer, Senior Editor of KQED’s California Politics &amp; Government Desk, can be reached at SShafer@kqed.org.

Scott Shafer, Senior Editor of KQED’s California Politics &amp; Government Desk, can be reached at SShafer@kqed.org.

KQED’s reporter and producer Guy Marzorati contributed to this story.

KQED’s reporter and producer Guy Marzorati contributed to this story.

Asian community activists mobilize to support school board recall, but elected officials are not on their side

Anna Tong

With a week left to go, vote by mail turnout is <a href="https://www.sfelections.org/tools/election_data/vbm_turnout_0.php?E=2022-04-19">at just 15.3%</a> in the April 19 runoff election between District 6 Supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/elections/matt-haney-district-6-supervisor-on-why-hes-running/">Matt Haney</a> and former District 9 Supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/elections/david-campos-former-supervisor-and-longtime-party-leader-on-why-hes-running/">David Campos</a>.&nbsp;

With a week left to go, vote by mail turnout is <a href="https://www.sfelections.org/tools/election_data/vbm_turnout_0.php?E=2022-04-19">at just 15.3%</a> in the April 19 runoff election between District 6 Supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/elections/matt-haney-district-6-supervisor-on-why-hes-running/">Matt Haney</a> and former District 9 Supervisor <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/elections/david-campos-former-supervisor-and-longtime-party-leader-on-why-hes-running/">David Campos</a>.&nbsp;

The runoff to represent the eastern side of SF in the California State Assembly is the only item on the ballot in this special election, which is being held because <a href="https://sfstandard.com/city-hall/assemblymember-david-chiu-named-san-francisco-city-attorney/">David Chiu vacated the District 17 seat</a> last year when he was appointed city attorney.&nbsp;

The runoff to represent the eastern side of SF in the California State Assembly is the only item on the ballot in this special election, which is being held because <a href="https://sfstandard.com/city-hall/assemblymember-david-chiu-named-san-francisco-city-attorney/">David Chiu vacated the District 17 seat</a> last year when he was appointed city attorney.&nbsp;

Vote by mail turnout in February’s election, which featured both the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/education/school-board-recall-successful/">school board recall</a> as well as the District 17 primary, was similarly bad, <a href="https://www.sfelections.org/tools/election_data/vbm_turnout_0.php?E=2022-02-15">at 18.9%</a> the week before the election. Final voter turnout for the February election was <a href="https://sfelections.sfgov.org/february-15-2022-election-results-summary">36.0%</a>.

Vote by mail turnout in February’s election, which featured both the <a href="https://sfstandard.com/education/school-board-recall-successful/">school board recall</a> as well as the District 17 primary, was similarly bad, <a href="https://www.sfelections.org/tools/election_data/vbm_turnout_0.php?E=2022-02-15">at 18.9%</a> the week before the election. Final voter turnout for the February election was <a href="https://sfelections.sfgov.org/february-15-2022-election-results-summary">36.0%</a>.

Low turnout is normal for ballots that only feature local elections, said longtime political analyst David Latterman, and it’s especially low when they don’t have a mayoral election.

Low turnout is normal for ballots that only feature local elections, said longtime political analyst David Latterman, and it’s especially low when they don’t have a mayoral election.

“The only elections that really bring voters out are top-of-the-ticket elections like president, governor, or other big players,” he said.

“The only elections that really bring voters out are top-of-the-ticket elections like president, governor, or other big players,” he said.

Final voter turnout was <a href="https://sfelections.sfgov.org/september-14-2021-election-results-summary">68.0%</a> for the gubernatorial recall in November 2021 and <a href="https://sfelections.sfgov.org/november-3-2020-election-results-summary">86.3%</a> for the November 2020 presidential election. In contrast, turnout was <a href="https://sfelections.sfgov.org/november-5-2019-election-results-summary">41.6% </a>for the November 2019 local election and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/education/school-board-recall-successful/">45.5%</a> for the November 2015 local election. Despite the low turnout, Haney and Campos have been engaged in a fierce battle on multiple fronts, from attacking <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/blocked-downtown-project-emerges-as-sticking-point-in-ad17-race/">each others’ housing records</a> and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/elections/san-franciscos-tenderloin-is-a-reluctant-battleground-in-haney-campos-campaign-fights/">performance with respect to the Tenderloin neighborhood</a>, to what <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/elections/judge-rules-david-campos-cant-call-himself-a-civil-rights-attorney-in-state-assembly-runoff/">occupation Campos can state on the ballot</a>.

Final voter turnout was <a href="https://sfelections.sfgov.org/september-14-2021-election-results-summary">68.0%</a> for the gubernatorial recall in November 2021 and <a href="https://sfelections.sfgov.org/november-3-2020-election-results-summary">86.3%</a> for the November 2020 presidential election. In contrast, turnout was <a href="https://sfelections.sfgov.org/november-5-2019-election-results-summary">41.6% </a>for the November 2019 local election and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/education/school-board-recall-successful/">45.5%</a> for the November 2015 local election. Despite the low turnout, Haney and Campos have been engaged in a fierce battle on multiple fronts, from attacking <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/blocked-downtown-project-emerges-as-sticking-point-in-ad17-race/">each others’ housing records</a> and <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/elections/san-franciscos-tenderloin-is-a-reluctant-battleground-in-haney-campos-campaign-fights/">performance with respect to the Tenderloin neighborhood</a>, to what <a href="https://sfstandard.com/politics/elections/judge-rules-david-campos-cant-call-himself-a-civil-rights-attorney-in-state-assembly-runoff/">occupation Campos can state on the ballot</a>.

Turnout for next week’s election currently at an abysmal 15%

Editor’s Note: The story contains references to the ethnic group Roma or Romani using the word &#8220;gypsy,&#8221; which is a derogatory and racist term that Bay City News would not otherwise use. After discussion, the editors have decided that, in this context and for accuracy and the reader&#8217;s information, it was appropriate to include the term where it appears in the title of Ramona Mayon&#8217;s writing and in quoting an explanation from an organization that seeks to provide information about the culture and lore of the people.

Editor’s Note: The story contains references to the ethnic group Roma or Romani using the word "gypsy," which is a derogatory and racist term that Bay City News would not otherwise use. After discussion, the editors have decided that, in this context and for accuracy and the reader's information, it was appropriate to include the term where it appears in the title of Ramona Mayon's writing and in quoting an explanation from an organization that seeks to provide information about the culture and lore of the people.

Editor’s Note: The story contains references to the ethnic group Roma or Romani using the word &#8220;gypsy,&#8221; which is a derogatory and racist term that Bay City News would not otherwise use. After discussion, the editors have decided that, in this context and for accuracy and the reader&#8217;s information, it was appropriate to include the term where it appears in the title of Ramona Mayon&#8217;s writing and in quoting an explanation from an organization that seeks to provide information about the culture and lore of the people.

One night in March, while an extreme weather event exploded over San Francisco—a &#8220;bomb cyclone,&#8221; as the climatologists called it—Ramona Mayon was texting with a journalist.

One night in March, while an extreme weather event exploded over San Francisco—a "bomb cyclone," as the climatologists called it—Ramona Mayon was texting with a journalist.

One night in March, while an extreme weather event exploded over San Francisco—a &#8220;bomb cyclone,&#8221; as the climatologists called it—Ramona Mayon was texting with a journalist.

The journalist was in a warm and comfortable home office. Mayon was not.

The journalist was in a warm and comfortable home office. Mayon was not.

She texted from a broken-down RV under surveillance cameras and behind security fencing in the back of the former Candlestick Park. There was no electrical connection, and she was carefully watching the battery on the phone she had charged earlier in the day from a small solar panel.

She texted from a broken-down RV under surveillance cameras and behind security fencing in the back of the former Candlestick Park. There was no electrical connection, and she was carefully watching the battery on the phone she had charged earlier in the day from a small solar panel.

Her RV—a 27-foot Gulfstream that was also 27 years old—sat in a &#8220;safe parking&#8221; site that bore a name only a career bureaucrat could have produced: the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center.

Her RV—a 27-foot Gulfstream that was also 27 years old—sat in a "safe parking" site that bore a name only a career bureaucrat could have produced: the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center.

Her RV—a 27-foot Gulfstream that was also 27 years old—sat in a &#8220;safe parking&#8221; site that bore a name only a career bureaucrat could have produced: the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center.

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/public-health/stanford-professor-san-franciscos-most-impossible-jobs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Professor Accepts One of San Francisco’s Most Impossible Jobs</a>

READ MORE: <a href="https://sfstandard.com/public-health/stanford-professor-san-franciscos-most-impossible-jobs/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stanford Professor Accepts One of San Francisco’s Most Impossible Jobs</a>

The center was located next to a federal Superfund site on land with a rich history of accommodating the unregulated disposal of industrial chemicals. The potential health impacts of the location would be concerning for anyone, but were especially so for Mayon.

The center was located next to a federal Superfund site on land with a rich history of accommodating the unregulated disposal of industrial chemicals. The potential health impacts of the location would be concerning for anyone, but were especially so for Mayon.

She came to the site with breast cancer, and it had now reached stage 4. She was receiving weekly hospice care, though she said the hospice wanted to drop her because she had outlived her doctor&#8217;s expectations.

She came to the site with breast cancer, and it had now reached stage 4. She was receiving weekly hospice care, though she said the hospice wanted to drop her because she had outlived her doctor's expectations.

She came to the site with breast cancer, and it had now reached stage 4. She was receiving weekly hospice care, though she said the hospice wanted to drop her because she had outlived her doctor&#8217;s expectations.

On this night, Mayon was one of the roughly 1,000 people living in their vehicles in San Francisco who were &#8220;experiencing homelessness,&#8221; as city officials called it.

On this night, Mayon was one of the roughly 1,000 people living in their vehicles in San Francisco who were "experiencing homelessness," as city officials called it.

On this night, Mayon was one of the roughly 1,000 people living in their vehicles in San Francisco who were &#8220;experiencing homelessness,&#8221; as city officials called it.

Mayon despised the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center—she called it an internment camp—and she had been trying desperately to get her RV repaired so she could leave—so she could escape—San Francisco and get someplace where she could die in peace.

Mayon despised the Bayview Vehicle Triage Center—she called it an internment camp—and she had been trying desperately to get her RV repaired so she could leave—so she could escape—San Francisco and get someplace where she could die in peace.

Yet for all the grimness of her circumstances, Mayon&#8217;s texts displayed an aggressive good humor and positivity that might have been taken as cheer but which were better read as purpose.

Yet for all the grimness of her circumstances, Mayon's texts displayed an aggressive good humor and positivity that might have been taken as cheer but which were better read as purpose.

Yet for all the grimness of her circumstances, Mayon&#8217;s texts displayed an aggressive good humor and positivity that might have been taken as cheer but which were better read as purpose.

She was telling a powerful story, one that explained how she came to be living—actually dying—in that vehicle triage center—and why San Francisco, self-described as the most accepting and generous big city in the country, was something very different if you were a person who lived in your vehicle.

She was telling a powerful story, one that explained how she came to be living—actually dying—in that vehicle triage center—and why San Francisco, self-described as the most accepting and generous big city in the country, was something very different if you were a person who lived in your vehicle.

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ramona-the-traveller">Ramona the Traveller</h2>

<h2 id="h-ramona-the-traveller">Ramona the Traveller</h2>

Banko Brown shooting: Protesters decry DA’s decision not to prosecute guard

Asian community activists mobilize to support school board recall, but elected officials are not on their side

Turnout for next week’s election currently at an abysmal 15%

A nomad’s dying wish: Living with cancer at a San Francisco homeless shelter

Breed releases more details and board moves forward with Tenderloin emergency

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Banko Brown shooting: Protesters decry DA’s decision not to prosecute guard

Asian community activists mobilize to support school board recall, but elected officials are not on their side

Turnout for next week’s election currently at an abysmal 15%

A nomad’s dying wish: Living with cancer at a San Francisco homeless shelter

Breed releases more details and board moves forward with Tenderloin emergency