Demonstrators used a rally in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district to call for police reform and more housing for the homeless, highlighting the fact that Black people make up a disproportionate number of the city’s homeless population.
Tracey Mixon was unhoused for a year and is now a peer counselor with the Coalition on Homelessness.
“African Americans only make up 6% of San Francisco’s population, but 37% of the unhoused population,” she told KCBS Radio. “It doesn’t add up to me.”
Mixon said Black people are also more likely to be incarcerated, which is part of why she’s protesting against police.
“I don’t want my daughter to have to fear these people,” she said. “I don’t want my daughter to ever have to be homeless again.”
The march started at UC Hastings College of the Law, voicing anger over a lawsuit settlement with the city that will see 70% of tents removed from Tenderloin sidewalks.
David Faigman is the Chancellor and Dean at UC Hastings, and he said at the time of the settlement, the key was providing housing and shelter alternatives, including hotels. But protestors worry that many who lose their tents won’t qualify for a hotel room.