On May 8, approximately 300 people took over San Francisco City Hall to deliver their messages about the untenable evictions that are now occurring in the City. The protest included an ethnic ritual, chants, testimonials by victims of the evictions, and a walk around San Francisco City Hall’s political chambers to deliver their messages personally to the Supervisors and Mayor. The protest was loud and was peaceful. Sheriff's deputies did confiscate the protesters banners.

The Mission District neighborhood is ground zero for the gentrification that is occurring in San Francisco. The coalition on homelessness released a report created from a survey that stated, “Many poor people in the Mission feel vulnerable to police harassment and displacement. Some members of our community, including youth, elderly and disabled people, homeless and marginally housed people, people of color and transgender residents, have been subjected to more intense policing as the neighborhood gentrifies.” The anti-eviction mapping project indicates there has been a 54.7% increase in evictions this year. There have been over 2,000 units evicted in 2015 alone. Many victims of the evictions claim the local government is not doing enough to stop them, so the community has organized and is now taking their message to the Mayor’s front door.

Read More with Video and Photos | The Mission Takes City Hall!

Related Indybay Feature: People’s City Council Supplants Oakland City Council To Stop Vote on E12th St Development (May 5)