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Indybay Feature

Sleepout in San Francisco Draws Demonstrators on the Eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day

by R. Robertson
A "sleepout" in front of historic cable cars started the evening before Martin Luther King Jr. Day in San Francisco. One of the organizers laid out the evening's plans...cheers, meditation, drumming, announcements and bedtime.

Top photo: Trey, left, brought friends and dogs to the sleep out.
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Trey, a self described transient youth, when asked why he was at the sleepout on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day said, "I would be here even if I had a million dollars, how can I NOT act in the name of justice?" He was one of many laying out their sleeping bags and tarps at the intersection of Market and Powell near the cable car turnaround on January 18th.

An emcee for the event led cheers including "C'mon people do what's right, tell police to see the light!" He stood surrounded by banners including Black Lives Matter and the famous quote from King, "A right delayed is a right denied".

A passerby who saw the demonstration donated pizza to the overnighters. Later, a woman with a a very large drum in tow showed up to perform a drumming solo. At 8:30pm corporate media covering the event were long gone as protesters settled in for the night.
§Rally with cheers to start off the sleepout
by R. Robertson
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§Early in the evening, setting up
by R. Robertson
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§sleeping bags and tarps
by R. Robertson
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§Early in the evening, cameras were set up
by R. Robertson
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As the night progressed, media faded away
§donated pizza
by R. Robertson
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§bedding down
by R. Robertson
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§settling in
by R. Robertson
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§sign
by R. Robertson
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largest subgroup
§BLACK LIVES MATTER
by R. Robertson
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