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.
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 Oakland activist Alyssa (@Alyssa011968), who took a blow to her rib (she’s okay, but sore). Many of her tweets appear below, including one with the title quote.
A reporter for 48Hills.org, @sanasaleem, also got her ribs bruised and was taken to the hospital.
An SF Sheriff just pushed me to the ground while taking images. At least 3 photojournalists assaulted during tonight’s coverage of #Frisco5
— Joel Angel Juárez (@jajuarezphoto) May 7, 2016
Meanwhile, earlier on Friday, 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.
The hunger strikers say they will continue their fast and will not let themselves be force fed.
Whatever the eventual outcome, the #Frisco5 and their supporters have caught the attention of the Bay Area and the nation, possibly the world.
Here’s the story with a chronology in tweets and tweetpics of how it came down at City Hall.
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