| Supervisor Jackie Fielder |
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Immigration
I am in regular communication with our community based partners who are fiercely defending immigrant rights every day, and monitoring the situation with the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). With this week's fears about ICE at airports, and the aggressive apprehension of a Bay Area mother at SFO on Sunday, March 22, my office and I have been in communication with the San Francisco Rapid Response Network. Our first priority is locating any family member of the individuals who were detained by ICE so we can connect them with legal resources and assistance - if you or someone you know knows them, please contact the Rapid Response
Network at 415-200-1548.
I do have serious questions about why SFPD officers seemingly surrounded ICE officers while they detained a woman last night and how their actions comply with our longstanding Sanctuary Ordinance, and will be looking for answers. We still have limited information about this alarming incident, but our constituents and the public need to trust that our City employees are not assisting ICE in any enforcement activity, as outlined by our sanctuary laws. This week, I cosponsored a
resolution
introduced by my colleague, Supervisor Chan condemning ICE Actions at SFO, and urging San Francisco Law Enforcement Agencies to Recommit to Sanctuary City Policies.
In addition to being responsive day by day, there are three key areas of work we are focused on this spring:
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Community preparedness:
with best practices for everyday response, and in preparation for big sporting events, such as the Super Bowl (which we are happy to report went off without major incident), and the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and now monitoring should ICE be deployed at SFO. As with all major public sporting events, the presence of the Department of Homeland Security and federal agents is typical, but in this atypical environment, it is imperative that we as leaders and the community be ready for any potential surge in aggressive immigration enforcement. As always, we take our lead from San Francisco Rapid Response and legal defense collaboratives. See my
post on instagram to prepare for the Super Bowl - which remains relevant at all times.
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Budget advocacy: to ensure that increases to legal services and the Rapid Response Network are included in the annual baseline budget to meet the unprecedented need for representation and community support.
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Legislation:
On Tuesday, March 24th my ordinance that further protects immigrant communities from rampant notary fraud passed unanimously. This ordinance requires that individuals who notarize or assist people in completing immigration documents offer clients a listing of free or low-cost immigration legal services providers and consulates. It also authorizes the Human Rights Commission to provide referrals to members of the public who wish to file a complaint with the state licensing agency, and can levy fines against notaries who are in non-compliance with this local law. We worked closely with the Office of Civic Engagement and Immigrant Affairs (OCEIA), HRC, and the Office of Economic and Workforce Development, and union representatives to create a comprehensive and collaborative piece of
legislation to support our immigrant communities.
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Street Conditions
Public Safety: Marshall Elementary
One of our office’s main focuses this year has been working closely with Marshall Elementary to understand and address the school’s specific needs, due to its proximity to 16th BART plaza. We communicate these needs to city departments by staying in regular contact with Captain Perdomo at Mission Police Station, the Department of Emergency Management, the Department of Public Works, and the Mayor’s Office. We have raised concerns about public safety and maintaining clean streets around Marshall Elementary and the surrounding neighborhood. These conversations happen consistently, and we also hold monthly meetings to track progress and ensure no issues are overlooked.
While these efforts have made some progress, we know it has been slower than we hoped. To strengthen our advocacy, I sent a formal letter to the Mayor’s Office and other relevant city agencies, requesting additional services and targeted support for the Mission neighborhood. Since then, the Mayor’s Office has committed extra resources, and Captain Perdomo has made Marshall Elementary and the BART plazas a priority.
These steps are important, but our work is not finished. We will continue pushing for a long-term, comprehensive approach that keeps our streets safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone who lives, works, and studies in the Mission. Our commitment is to ensure these improvements are sustained and that the neighborhood receives the attention and resources it deserves.
Improving Access to Public Bathrooms in San Francisco
Access to clean, safe public bathrooms is a basic need but it’s far too limited in District 9. Over the past year, we’ve continued to listen to the community by elevating 311 requests and meeting with city departments about street cleanliness. These efforts led to a small but meaningful victory: the restoration of the Pit Stop bathroom at 14th St & Woodward St. While this is a step in the right direction, our current Department of Public Work’s budget simply doesn’t allow us to install enough bathrooms across the city. This means we have to make difficult choices about where resources go.
That’s why I am working on legislation to set us on a path toward having one public bathroom for every 2,000 residents. This law is about convenience, dignity, public health, and making our city accessible for everyone. Public bathrooms are essential for seniors, families, people experiencing homelessness, and anyone spending time in our neighborhoods. With this legislation we would set a goal to expand access citywide and ensure that everyone has a safe place to go when they need it.
This is just the beginning. With your support and continued community input, we can make San Francisco a city where public bathrooms are available, clean, and safe for all.
Activating the BART Plazas: A Community-Focused Day at 16th Street
In January, the 16th Street BART Plaza came alive with positivity and community energy, thanks to the leadership of the Office of Workforce and Economic Development (OEWD) in partnership with Mission Lotería. The activation transformed the plaza into a vibrant space where commuters and families could gather, explore, and enjoy a variety of activities, including face painting and local street vendors offering unique goods such as jewelry, coffee, and candles.
This event gave local vendors valuable exposure to connect with the community while providing a fun and entertaining atmosphere. It is part of our ongoing vision to reclaim and energize BART plazas as welcoming, active public spaces. We are committed to supporting these efforts not only at 16th Street but also at 24th Street BART Plaza, creating consistent and engaging experiences for everyone who passes through.
Read more about the activation in Mission Local! |
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Photo credit: Office of Economic & Workforce Development & Mission Lotería. BART Plaza Event. |
Affordable Housing
Like so many of you, I am committed to increasing affordable housing in District 9. We currently have four affordable housing projects that have broken ground: 1633 Valencia,
1515 South Van Ness,
1979 Mission, and
3300 Mission. Earlier this year, the Board of Supervisors also heard an appeal to the affordable senior housing project at 3333 Mission Street, which the Board denied. I will always do my best to listen to neighbors’ concerns over potential projects, but never lose sight of attaining more affordable housing for our communities. I appreciate that all neighbors in the dispute agreed that affordable housing for seniors is needed in Bernal Heights!
Finally, I join Mission community members who are very dismayed and disappointed with SFMTA’s massive reduction in affordable housing at the Potrero Yard Modernization Project. The proposed housing has come down nearly 80% from the entitled 465 units to 100 units. I joined my colleague Supervisor Chen in co-sponsoring a resolution
urging SFMTA and MOHCD to commit to additional sites for the lost 365 units that were previously committed and counted towards our RHNA housing goals.
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Small Business
So far this year, we’ve proudly added four District Nine businesses to the Legacy Business Registry! These businesses represent the heart, history, and cultural richness of our community, and we are thrilled to see them receive the recognition they deserve.
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Brava! for Women in the Arts has long been a cornerstone of artistic expression and empowerment in our district. Dedicated to supporting women artists and amplifying diverse voices, Brava! provides a vibrant space for performance, creativity, and community connection.
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Ike’s Electric, Inc.
brings decades of trusted service and craftsmanship to District 9. As a locally rooted business, Ike’s Electric has built a reputation for reliability and expertise, serving generations of residents and contributing to the neighborhood’s infrastructure and growth.
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Jim’s Restaurant by MLVS is a beloved gathering place that has nourished our community not just with its food, but with its welcoming atmosphere. A longtime neighborhood staple, Jim’s has created lasting memories for countless families and continues to be a symbol of comfort and tradition.
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Roccapulco
has played a vital role in shaping the cultural and nightlife scene of District 9. Known for its lively music, dancing, and celebrations, Roccapulco has provided a space where community members come together to enjoy and share in rich cultural traditions.
We’re always proud to support small businesses and encourage others to explore the opportunity for recognition through the Legacy Business Program. If your business has been serving the community for 30 years or more and you’re interested in applying for legacy status, you can find more information
here
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Good Governance: Chair’s report from the Government Audit & Oversight Committee
A big win for community benefit!
I recently called for a public hearing to address outstanding financial commitments made by a private developer to Mission organizations. In 2016, the developer, Nick Podell, committed half a million dollars to build out a community arts space at 681 Florida Street, a commitment that community groups and local vendors relied on in spending $500,000 for the arts space. After ignoring calls to answer the debt, as well as requests to attend a public hearing, I requested that the City Attorney’s office subpoena the developer to appear. I am relieved to report that the developer has finally fulfilled his financial obligations. You can read more about this
here. |
Education & Youth Leadership
The SFUSD teacher strike and subsequent agreement
I want to shout out to San Francisco teachers, staff, students and families who came out in early February to show support for our teachers and staff who tirelessly work to make SFUSD schools a safe and nurturing place for young people to learn, grow and thrive. As the product myself of public schools and Supervisor of a District with thousands of low-income students of color, and kids with special needs, I know how critical teachers and paraeducators are for learning and social-emotional support – they deserve our full support, and that is what they got during the four-day strike and beyond. |
| Photo credit: Sasha Gaona. |
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Taking care of teachers is taking care of our students, and the foundations of a functioning school district are the foundations of a functioning society. This is about students and equity. We thank all who came to the bargaining table to agree on the fundamentals for improved wages, 100% employer paid family health care coverage, special education workloads, as well as historic and early agreement sanctuary and housing protections for all SFUSD families. |
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District 9 Youth Council and Youth Commission Budget Town Hall
On Saturday, March 21st, the Youth Commission and the D9 Youth Council co-hosted a town hall at the Mission Language Vocational Services/Latino Task Force, for young people to talk about issues most concerning them in District 9. This was a great opportunity for youth in D9 to learn about local government and the budget and how it impacts their daily lives. They had opportunities to share their feedback on what should be the City’s budget priorities for the 26/27 Fiscal Year with the clear message that support for youth services and employment opportunities should be included.
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This year’s budget cuts are going to be really painful, but one such cut to the San Francisco Environment department
will gut that office to the extent that will make it impossible for the City to meet its Climate Action Plan goals. Thirty years ago, the people of San Francisco voted to establish the San Francisco Environment Department and the Commission on the Environment. Since then, we have become a global leader in climate policy, implementing cutting-edge programs that have been modeled around the world. San Francisco has been a pioneer in moving towards zero waste, advancing equity and environmental justice, clean energy infrastructure, and so much more! With proposed cuts, we are at risk of losing this hard-won progress, and I contend that the revitalization of San Francisco, and our future resilience in the face of climate change, can only happen if we invest wholeheartedly in climate
justice.
Our City has collectively set a Climate Action Plan to ensure our communities are not only climate resilient but also proactive in protecting our planet’s health, safety, and ultimately, our ability to thrive. If we are going to have a fighting chance against environmental catastrophe, this is exactly what we need to be supporting. So this budget season, this will be among the issues I will be advocating for. And while we hope to stave off these cuts, SFE needs even more. |
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Photo Credit: Jennifer Ferrigno. |
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I will continue to support efforts for additional, and that’s also why I’m fighting for a Public Bank - to unlock real investment in the programs that move the needle, like affordable electrification loans for homeowners. These are the commitments our City must make to cut greenhouse gas emissions at scale, and make a real difference to protect our environment. |
Rec & Park in D9
I am pleased to share that the San Francisco Department of Recreation and Parks has begun to implement some much needed improvements in our parks in D9. Mission Playground has been resurfaced, Alioto Park is getting a new play structure by early April, and the restroom at Precita Park is finally complete.
We will continue to advocate with the department for improvements in cleaning up litter, improve measures for safety, expand and support community garden spaces, and more in our District 9 parks for all to enjoy. |
| Photo credit: SF Department of Recreation and Parks. Mission Playground resurfacing, completed in early March. |
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Guaranteeing a Future for a Center for Latino Arts at 2868 Mission
On February 10th, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support my resolution Board Resolution 260123
to affirm the Board and City’s commitment to protecting the future of a center for Latino arts and culture at 2868 Mission, the site of the current Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts (MCCLA). For 49 years, Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts has been providing not just programming but lifelines for thousands of Latino San Franciscans who take pride and purpose from visual arts, dancing, and performing arts. Earlier in the year, the organization’s stability and future seemed uncertain, causing a great deal of concern and upset in District 9 and the Mission community. Since then, the community has come together to map out a plan for its future sustainability.
I don’t think I can overstate the importance of the historical legacy of this building. This building has been the site where many successful Latino poets, printmakers, dancers, musicians, painters, sculptors, muralists, and more have incubated their craft; where iconic and world-renowned annual celebrations in San Francisco have taken place, including Latine Heritage Community Celebration, el Día de los Muertos/The Day of the Dead Community Celebration in the fall, “Solo Mujeres” annual art exhibition and Carnaval in the Spring, along with daily programming and expositions featuring local legends and Latino artists from the community. It was declared a San Francisco landmark building in 2022 by the Board of Supervisors, and per City Charter, the San Francisco
Arts Commission, the owner of the building, is mandated to use it for community arts and culture. It is a central and very prominent feature of the Mission and 24th corridor and Calle 24 cultural district in District 9.
This resolution affirms the commitment by the City to ensure that this building at 2868 Mission, now, after the planned earthquake retrofit, and into the future, remains a hub for Latino arts and culture, despite the uncertainties of the status of any single non-profit. Programming grants can and should be available to a suitable non-profit that meets the criteria to run such a center. We hope and expect that it will continue to be the non-profit entity known as MCCLA, given the outpouring of support from the community and the steps taken since to stabilize the organization. Additionally, we want to ensure that the historical archives and community arts assets in the building should be preserved and protected by and for the community. |
Constituent Services • Meeting the Needs of Bernal Heights, Mission & Portola Neighbors
I am proud to say that my office responded to the hundreds of requests from district constituents with issues ranging from tenants rights to tree trimming to sidewalk and park cleanliness and much needed sidewalk repairs, and so much more. We were able to expedite City department responses to the vast majority of these requests, and will always do our best to quickly respond to you, and do what we can to resolve issues. We do this by connecting the appropriate City department to address the complaint or explain why in cases where an immediate fix may not be possible. No is not an answer that we will easily accept.
We are here to advocate for what you need, so don’t hesitate to submit a 311 complaint (call the 24-hour hotline at 3-1-1 or (415) 701-2311, or log on at sf311.org, or download the
SF311 mobile app.). After you submit your ticket, please reach out to
fielderstaff@sfgov.org with a quick description of the issue and the 311 reference number, so we can follow up. In addition to allowing us to elevate the requests directly with departments, 311s help us collect data to justify increased services for a hot-spot area in District 9, so it is important that neighbors who have complaints submit them whenever something comes up. Thank you for your partnership in helping D9 thrive! |
| Photo Credit: Alexa “LexMex” Treviño @lexmexart |
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| Ricardo "El Tigre" Pena
On January 27th, I honored the late Ricardo “El Tigre” Peña, whom our Mission community lost in December, a beloved leader and guardian of Mexican indigenous culture. For over twenty years, Ricardo was a cornerstone of the neighborhood- a warm presence at Mixcoatl, a dedicated volunteer with Calle 24, and a teacher of free danza classes at the Mission Cultural Center for the Latino Arts.
Proud of his Nahuatl heritage, he led Grupo Mixcoatl Anáhuac with his wife, Connie, sharing danza Azteca and ancestral knowledge with generations of youth. Whether distributing food during the pandemic or offering kindness and guidance, Ricardo’s life was rooted in service, love, and community. | |
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A devoted husband, father, tío, teacher, and friend, his spirit lives on through his family, his danzantes, and a community forever shaped by his compassion and commitment to unity. Rest in peace and power El Tigre!
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Dr. Gregoria Nova Cahill, Dean of City College Mission Center
On March 3rd, I was thrilled to commend Dr. Gregoria Nova Cahill, Dean of City College Mission Center, School of ESL and Transitional Studies, in honor of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month. Dr. Cahill is a leader in District 9 who centers joy, love for community and a commitment to accessible and quality higher education. Since joining CCSF in 2004 - 22 years ago - she has served in multiple roles, including Academic Counselor, Instructor, Puente Program Coordinator, Interim Dean, and now as Dean of the Mission Center. Throughout her career, she has supported students across CCSF centers and has built strong, lasting community partnerships through her work in the
Mission. She is bringing a fresh vision to the Mission campus, and transforming programs with students front and center. Congratulations, Dr. Cahill!
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Photo Credit: Jennifer Ferrigno. Supervisor Fielder honoring Dr. Nova Cahill at the Board of Supervisors, with a broad group of supporters to cheer her on! (March 3, 2026) |
D9 Organizational Feature |
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Community Music Center - Mission Campus
Community Music Center is a nonprofit music school and performance space with branches in the Mission and Richmond Districts, offering inclusive, high-quality music education to people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities—regardless of financial means. Last year, CMC awarded $3M in tuition assistance and served more than 3,500 students across District 9 and beyond. With a century-long legacy as a cornerstone cultural institution in San Francisco, CMC believes in the power of music to connect people, celebrate cultures, and transform lives. Our students receive personalized instruction tailored to their goals, access to 10 free studio hours each quarter, and frequent performance opportunities that build skills, confidence, and community.
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CMC is proud to serve District 9 through a wide range of programs and resources, including Latin music classes and ensembles with tuition assistance options, as well as free programs like the Young Musicians Program, the Mission District Young Musicians Program, the Older Adult Choirs, and the New Voices Bay Area TIGQ Chorus. We also offer free community concerts and workshops, affordable instrument rentals, and rehearsal and rental spaces for local artists. With a diverse and welcoming community and more than 100 years of music-making in the Mission, CMC remains an essential hub where every student is welcomed, supported, and celebrated. |
| | Photo Credits: Community Music Center |
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| *For future newsletters: if you volunteer or work at a nonprofit organization you think should be featured, please email: fielderstaff@sfgov.org |
New Art Exhibit in the D9 Office!
”Existir es Resistir” by Alexa "LexMex" Treviño
@lexmexart in partnership with
Acción Latina
Longtime Mission artist and photographer Alexa Treviño has lent a selection of works from her exhibit "Existir es Resistir" to the D9 office. Created during her fellowship at Acción Latina, this exhibit is part of the R.A.I.C.E.S. Fellowship — an initiative led by Galería de la Raza in partnership with sister organizations Acción Latina, Marigold Project, and Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts — dedicated to supporting Latinx artists living and working in the City and County of San Francisco.
The photographs, printed on metal, feature portraits of influential figures from Mission culture — primarily powerful women representing more than 17 countries and cultures across Latin America. |
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Alexa’s statement on the significance of this work:
“Existir es Resistir is a tribute to the resilience of our communities. As culture keepers, we move through the world guided by our ancestors and held by the strength of each other. This work is a celebration of identity, resistance, and the vibrancy of cultures that continue to bloom despite erasure, displacement, and oppression.
We are rooted. We are ancestral. |
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Our presence is not new—it is a continuation of everything that came before us. These photographs are my offering to the Mission, my home, my community, and my heart. They reflect the beauty and strength that lives in our people: regalia passed down through generations, the wisdom of our elders, and the fire of our youth. Our diversity is not a fracture; it is our power. Each portrait is a love letter to the places and people who hold our stories, and a reminder that our culture is alive, rooted, and unshakable.”
If you are at City Hall, feel free to stop Mondays - Thursdays to see this amazing art!
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| Photo credit: Andrew Brobst - marketing and production specialist for Acción Latina
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Keep up with The Supervisor on Social Media!
Twitter: @jackiefielder_
Instagram: @jackiefielder_
Facebook: Jackie Fielder for Supervisor 2024 |
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