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Indybay Feature

Eliana Lopez Condemns SF Politics vs Sheriff Mirkarimi

by Feminist for Sheriff Mirkarimi
Every woman in this town should be insulted by the so-called SF Commission on Women joining the capitalist class in attacking our duly elected Sheriff Mirkarimi because he wants an end to evictions, contrary to the real estate industry for which they speak. Sheriff Mirkarimi's wife is certainly outraged and her statement below mandates that you call all 11 Supervisors and demand they let his case sit for 30 days allowing automatic reinstatement or vote for reinstatement or refuse to vote at all.
Every woman in this town should be insulted by the so-called SF Commission on Women joining the capitalist class in attacking our duly elected Sheriff Mirkarimi because he wants an end to evictions, contrary to the real estate industry for which they speak. Sheriff Mirkarimi's wife is certainly outraged and her statement below mandates that you call all 11 Supervisors and demand they let his case sit for 30 days allowing automatic reinstatement or vote for reinstatement or refuse to vote at all.

From:
http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/openforum/article/Eliana-Lopez-decries-SF-ugly-politics-3870101.php

Eliana Lopez decries SF 'ugly politics'
Eliana Lopez
Published 7:09 p.m., Sunday, September 16, 2012


On Aug. 28, the Commission on the Status of Women, a body whose members are appointed by Mayor Ed Lee, decided it was its turn to call for the ouster of my husband, Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi, on grounds of domestic violence. In weighing the case against Ross, one would think that the commission would have done its best to carefully weigh all of the facts. Yet, I wasn't even invited to the meeting.

I shouldn't be surprised by now. Since the beginning of the case against Ross, his political opponents and the domestic violence prevention political establishment have willfully ignored any details that don't fit their narrative.

I do not condone my husband's behavior on Dec. 31, but I have forgiven him. And I have forgiven him not out of blind devotion, fear or intimidation but by a careful examination of the facts.

When Ross put his hand around my arm during an argument, he had no intention of causing a bruise. His grip on my arm lasted less than a second, and he instantly released it when I told him to.

Ross repeatedly apologized, took responsibility for his actions and has been a willing participant in counseling. Neither before nor after the incident has Ross come close to demonstrating violent behavior. Yet, the domestic violence prevention establishment, a potent political force in this city, is having none of it.

Without knowing me, much less consulting me, they have determined that I am incapable of knowing my own husband and that my defense of him is the result of delusional thinking. That is the height of condescending paternalism - and a tremendous disservice to the very important issue of domestic violence.

This feeling seems to be shared by many domestic violence victims who have approached me with gestures of support and outrage at how my family and I have been treated.

While my husband's opponents are happy to use me to discredit him, I am not to be trusted when I defend Ross. That's because to believe me would undermine their view that all acts of domestic violence are created equal.

Ross' detractors once claimed that he should be removed from office for allegedly dissuading witnesses. When the Ethics Commission unanimously cleared him of those charges, opponents were left only with the remaining argument that Ross himself offered back in March: a plea to a low-level nonviolent misdemeanor. A plea that I never wanted him to take.

They are quick to point out that the misdemeanor was for what sounds like the troubling crime of "false imprisonment." They fail to mention that it amounted to nothing more than Ross turning around our minivan on our way for pizza and heading home because we were having an argument that was inappropriate for a public setting.

But, again, these inconvenient facts are ignored in the heat of accusations that Ross is a "wife beater," as Mayor Ed Lee charged in one of his least dignified - and least accurate - statements.

How dare Mayor Lee try to capitalize on my family's misfortune, berate my husband, but not have the decency to ever call me to ask my opinion about his prosecution of my husband? But as an increasing number of San Franciscans have concluded, this case is not about domestic violence; it's about politics.

As an outspoken progressive and a public servant, Ross has his share of detractors because he's not all things to all people. That's never been his style. But he is principled. When this process wrongfully forced us apart by a court order that neither one of us wanted, they used our seven-month separation to try to break Ross' spirit.

To compound their effort, they used our family as a weapon by suspending him without pay and without due process so that he couldn't provide for me and our son.

In my home country of Venezuela, news reports of what is happening here to me, Ross and our 3-year-old son, sum it up as a coup d'etat. When we're out and about in all parts of San Francisco, many people refer to this ordeal as "ugly politics."

With politics this dirty, no one believed Ross would remain in the fight. But they do not know Ross as I do. Even when we were forcibly separated, we remained strong.

Now, together again, we are stronger than ever, and we will not stand by as this city's political machine tries to ruin us - and make a mockery of domestic violence.
***
For more statements, see
http://friendsofross.com/articles-and-resolutions
Resolutions
Resolution of Padres Unidos
Resolution of The League of Pissed Off Voters
Resolution of Central City Democrats
Resolution of San Francisco Green Party
Resolution of Harvey Milk LGBT Democratic Club
Resolution of San Francisco Living Wage Coalition
Statement of National Lawyers Guild on Sheriff Mirkarimi

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

List of Articles/Links
"Women Rally for Suspended Sheriff’s Reinstatement"
"Ross Mirkarimi Gets Support Of Bernal Heights Democratic Club"
"Mirkarimi Case Approaches Pivotal Moment", NBC Southern California view the mobile version

"District Attorney Should Investigate Alleged Ed Lee Perjury, Richmond Democrats Demand", SF Appeal


****
The Board of Supervisors may be reached by phone at any time as they all have voice mail. They also have Email and the US mail address is City Hall, San Francisco, CA 94102
From: http://www.sfbos.org/index.aspx?page=1616
.
Roster of Members
(alphabetical order)

John Avalos
District 11
(415) 554-6975 - Voice
(415) 554-6979 - Fax
John.Avalos [at] sfgov.org

David Campos
District 9
(415) 554-5144 - voice
(415) 554-6255 - fax
David.Campos [at] sfgov.org

David Chiu
District 3
(415) 554-7450 - Voice
(415) 554-7454 - Fax
David.Chiu [at] sfgov.org

Carmen Chu
District 4
(415) 554-7460 - Voice
(415) 554-7432 - Fax
Carmen.Chu [at] sfgov.org

Malia Cohen
District 10
(415) 554-7670 - Voice
(415) 554-7674 - Fax
Malia.Cohen [at] sfgov.org

Sean Elsbernd
District 7
(415) 554-6516 - Voice
(415) 554-6546 - Fax
Sean.Elsbernd [at] sfgov.org

Mark Farrell
District 2
(415) 554-7752 - Voice
(415) 554-7843 - Fax
Mark.Farrell [at] sfgov.org

Jane Kim
District 6
(415) 554-7970 - Voice
(415) 554-7974 - Fax
Jane.Kim [at] sfgov.org

Eric Mar
District 1
(415) 554-7410 - Voice
(415) 554-7415 - Fax
Eric.L.Mar [at] sfgov.org

Christina Olague
District 5
(415) 554-7630 - Voice
(415) 554-7634 - Fax
Christina.Olague [at] sfgov.org

Scott Wiener
District 8
(415) 554-6968 - Voice
(415) 554-6909 - Fax
Scott.Wiener [at] sfgov.org
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