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Indybay Feature

"Couldn't Not Stand With the #Frisco5." City Hall Shut Down. Hunger Strikers to Hospital.

by JP Massar

Supporters of the #Frisco5 Hunger Strikers called a vigil for 3:00 PM on Friday, 5/6 at the UN Plaza, a block away from City Hall. But it was a diversion - a larger group entered San Francisco City Hall and took up a presence outside the Mayor's office about 4:00 PM. As the evening wore on more supporters, now being referred to as the #Frisco500, came and occupied the lobby of the building.

sm_frisco5_sanfranciscocityhall-03_alyssa.jpg
[Protesters lock arms to resist removal from City Hall by deputies and police. Photo by Kossack Alyssa]

As of 8:00 PM when City Hall officially closed the protesters - along with a large presence of police - were still inside. Supporters had been holding a door to outside open in defiance of police attempting to close the building, but the police were making no arrests.

An hour after closing time the police began to make their move. Some twenty people were eventually arrested as the crowd was, slowly, pushed out of City Hall. Everyone was removed by 11:00 PM but the crowd remained outside until nearly midnight. Some press and protesters were beaten with batons including Kossack Alyssa (@Alyssa011968), who took a blow to her rib (she's okay, but sore). Many of her tweets appear below. A reporter for 48Hills.org, @sanasaleem, also got her ribs bruised and was taken to the hospital.

Meanwhile, earlier today, the sixteenth day of the hunger strike, the hunger strikers themselves were all taken to the hospital, and the encampment outside the Mission Street Police Station, about a mile from City Hall, was packed up.

Whatever the eventual outcome, the #Frisco5 and their supporters have caught the attention of the Bay Area and the nation, possibly the world. As Shaun King tweeted today:

Follow the events from vigil to occupation and to arrests in tweets and tweetpics below.

People gather for the vigil.

The real action forms.

And... inside, in front of the Mayor's doors.

Police decide to block the doors, as if protesters could walk through solid oak.

Protest moves to the rotunda lobby and staircase.

"You know what that means? At this moment, the Frisco500 shut down City Hall."

This day the music did not die.

Keeping the door open. Waiting for reinforcements.

Holding it down inside.

Alyssa makes a cameo appearance.

"In line. Couldn't not stand with the Frisco5." - Alyssa

City Hall is about to close.

Police Attack.

Being pushed out of City Hall. 10:30 PM.

Most Everyone's Outside.

Midnight.

Reflections.

Previous diaries covering the hunger strike:

There’s a Hunger Strike Going on now in San Francisco Against Police Violence.

One Week In There Is STILL a Hunger Strike in San Francisco Against Police Violence.

And on the 10th Day… They Spoke. They Drummed. They Rallied. But They did not Eat.

The #Frisco5 Hunger Strikers and Supports March to City Hall Today at 12:30 PM.

Hunger Strikers Speak with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee. “Blood Will Be on Your Hands.”

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