I went to the Board of Supervisors meeting today. I had intended to speak in support of the 1 Oak Street development, which local NIMBYs are trying to block, but got there after that item had concluded. I'm glad I showed up however, because I got a chance to give public comment against the board's ban on flavored tobacco products in SF. As sufficient signatures have now been collected to put a referendum overturning the ban on the ballot, the Supervisors had the legal opportunity to act themselves today and vote to rescind the ban. After public comment, they shamefully voted 11-0 to keep their expansion of the "War on Drugs" in place. Hopefully voters will overturn their authoritarian stupidity next year.
I also spoke again some minutes later during another public comment period, in favor of the Board members establishing "question time" for themselves like they have for the mayor, so that members of the public can ask them questions directly and publicly on the record. I'm sure they loved the idea. 
Was able to catch the replay of that part of the meeting later on SFGOVTV.org – http://sanfrancisco.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=6 – and grabbed a screenshot of myself testifying (attached). Looks like the footage may not be uploaded to the archives yet though.
There had been some talk in the room about DACA (or "dreamer") pro-immigration protesters, and when I got out of City Hall, I saw a single girl wearing a "Defend DACA" sign, and asked her where the demonstration was happening. She said it was going on in front of the federal courthouse at 7th and Mission, and had just come over to City Hall to write some chalk messages on the sidewalk. I stopped to help, and used some of her chalk and wrote "STOP NATIONALIST DISCRIMINATION - OPEN BORDERS" right in front of the Polk Street steps. When she ran out of chalk we biked over to the main protest, where we found thousands of people, mostly young people, and very ethnically diverse. I got to hear part of a strong and passionate speech by the one SF politician who I think is doing a good job, Public Defender Jeff Adachi. Was glad to see him there addressing the crowd and standing up for freedom. He mentioned his own parents having been among the Japanese-Americans sent to camps during WWII, GLBTQ rights, the importance to stand up and resist, etc., and said his office will continue providing free legal services to those facing deportation.
Love & Liberty,
((( starchild )))
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