12 Arrested in Protest of Luxury of Condo Development

A FAMILIAR SIGHT ON THE TRAFFIC CHOKED INTERSECTION OF MISSION AND CESAR CHAVEZ STREETS IN SAN FRANCISCO ARE LATINO MEN LINING UP WAITING FOR DAY LABOR JOBS NEAR AN ABANDONED PARKING LOT THAT USED TO SERVE THE KELLEY MORE PAINT COMPANY. RENEE SAUCEDO WORKS FOR THE SAN FRANCISCO DAY LABOR PROGRAM AND LA RAZA CENTRO LEGAL AND IS PART OF THE SAN FRANCISCO ANTI DISPLACEMENT COALITION. ITS GOAL IS TO AQUIRE THE PROPERTY AT CHAVEZ AND MISSION IN ORDER TO USE THE SPACE TO CONSTRUCT LOW INCOME HOUSING AND A FACILTY FOR DAY LABORERS.

Interview 1, Saucedo

AT THE HEART OF THE CONTROVERSY IS THE PLAN TO GIVE PERMISSION TO DEVELOP THE ABANDONED LOT TO THE 7 HILLS LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY. TOM ROCCA, THE MAN IN CHARGE OF THE PROJECT WAS NOT AVALABLE FOR COMMENT BY AIR TIME AND BARBARY COAST CONSULTING WHICH REPRESENT 7 HILLS WAS NOT ABLE TO COMMENT ON THE PROJECT. IN A STATEMENT RELEASED BY ROCCA, THE PLAN WOULD BE TO “BUID A 60 UNIT MIXED USE PROJECT THAT IS WIDELY SUPPORTED BY LOCAL RESIDENTS BECAUSE it provides housing, jobs, and a 24-hour pharmacy. It will replace a vacant building and parking lot that will remain empty for years if this project is not approved. It was unfortunate that this week a group of activists ripped open our fence with bolt cutters and illegally trespassed on the site, thus endangering themselves and an employee of ours. The police had to intervene.” ERGENT MENINA OF THE MISSION DISTRICT POLICE STATION DESCRIBES THE ARRESTS.

Interview 2, SGT MEDINA

“These activists claim to have an alternative plan,” EXPLAINS ROCCA OF SEVEN HILLS. “Unfortunately,” HE CONTINUES, “they have neither land nor money and are attempting to control the site using questionable political tactics.” RENEE SAUCEDO SAYS THAT STUDIES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD REVEAL THAT THE PROJECT WOUL D NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO THE NEEDS OF MISSION DISTRICT RESIDENTS.

Interview 3, Saucedo

JANE MARTIN IS A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AT THE BERNAL HEIGHTS NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER, WHICH SUPPORTS THE ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL TO BUILD A DAY LABOR CENTER AT SITE.

Interview 4, JANE MARTIN

HOUSING RIGHTS ACTIVISTS PROMISE A WEEK OF ACTIONS HIGHLIGHTING THE INJUSTICE OF CONTINUED APPROVAL OF LUXURY HOUSING OVER LOW INCOME HOUSING BY THE CITY GOVERNMENT. RENEE SAUCIDO SAYS THAT RESISTANCE TO THE PROJECT WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK.

Interview 5, Saucedo