Organizing Meeting for Anti-Gentrification Action

June 1, 2008

Dear Friends,

Increasing rents and ongoing gentrification of San Francisco neighborhoods continues to be a blight that is destroying our communities. Gentrification caused by greedy speculators, has forced Latinos from the Mission, African-Americans from the Bayview, and Gays from the Castro, thus diluting the mosaic of cultural and economic diversity that defines our city.

Chris, a disabled tenant living in the Castro, was nearly forced out of his home due to malicious tactics employed by a large property owner. Chris fought a legal battle for 9 months with the support of friends and legal representation, which included a month long protest. Together, their grassroots movement resulted in the property owner offering a settlement that allowed Chris to keep his home.

After the long battle, supporters of Chris decided to organize “Worst of SF” to bring to the communities’ attention the ongoing gentrification through a public, mock-awards ceremony, “honoring” the worst gentrifiers of San Francisco.

We invite you to participate by nominating one or more individuals or organizations responsible for gentrification of San Francisco through speculation. Please find a nomination form enclosed.

We also invite you to attend a planning meeting on June 7th at 2:30 p.m. Email us at info [at] worstofsf.org for the location. At the meeting, we will be discussing further details of the event including the nominations and how your organization can participate.

For more information about the nomination process, planning, and the actual event, please visit http://www.worstofsf.org.

Thank you!

“Worst of SF” Organizers