The people of San Francisco are engaged. We organize, volunteer, and support our neighbors. We stand up against injustice and work together to create a better community.
Just this week, I proudly stood with our public school teachers at a rally on the steps of City Hall. These teachers showed up, after teaching a full day in the classroom, to advocate for their students and demand change at SFUSD. They also showed up at the Board hearing that I convened to get the long-troubled administration of our schools on track.
I know that we can come together in the richest city in the richest country in the world to support our teachers and turn San Francisco's school system into the shining gem that it should be. Because there is no more important work than the work of our teachers — for our students and for the future of our democracy.
The people of San Francisco are engaged — and we vote. Thankfully, unlike many parts of the country, there aren’t long lines at the polls or reports of voter intimidation. But nevertheless, there may be barriers to participating in the election process. That's why I’m providing election resources, for you or for you to share with a friend or neighbor.
See you in the neighborhood,
Aaron
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Honoring the legacy of Dr. Howard Thurman
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It was a privilege to work alongside the community to honor the legacy of Dr. Howard Thurman, re-naming the 2020 block of Stockton Street for the renowned academic, philosopher, theologian, and civil rights leader.
Born in segregated Florida in 1899, Howard Thurman and Sue Baily Thurman, his wife, were the first African Americans to meet with Mohandas Gandi about the use of nonviolent resistance to effect social change in the U.S. They later established the Howard Thurman Educational Trust Street — with its location at the now-dedicated block of Stockton and Pfeiffer Streets — and to fund research for literary, religious, and scientific purposes and scholarship for African American students facing economic hardship.
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One change to the building code =
thousands of new housing units
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'Single Stairways' is a Sensible Density Solution
Two years ago, we put an end to single-family zoning. That meant that roughly 40 percent of the land that was zoned for single-family homes now allows for the construction of four- and six-unit multi-family buildings that are so needed in San Francisco.
I am now tackling an archaic but impactful element of the building code to potentially allow residential buildings above three-stories to be designed with a single stairway — a move that is common around the world but is largely impossible here.
Currently, state building code requires two stairways connected by an internal hallway, an unnecessary rule that makes such multifamily developments “less livable, less climate adaptive, less family friendly, less community-oriented” without improving safety. We should fully investigate ways to incentivize human-scale sensible density that our city is known for, that fits into our neighborhood fabric instead of tearing it apart. Another bonus: the architectural designs can improve aesthetics and strengthen a community.
Read more:
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There's still time to register!
California residents 18 years and older are eligible to vote. If you haven’t registered, visit the City Hall Voting Center (open 7-days-a-week until election day), or a polling place before 8pm on Nov. 5th. Simply tell a poll worker that you want to register and vote. You will be provided a provisional ballot.
There are several ways to cast your ballot
If you’re a registered voter, you should have received your ballot in the mail. Upon completion, either mail your ballot (postmarked no later than Nov. 5) or put it into any of the 367 ballot drop box located around San Francisco.
To vote in person, head to your assigned polling place or visit City Hall between 7am and 8pm on Nov. 5. For those in need of support, the Elections Department provides accessible services , including accessibility tools, personal assistants, curbside voting, and multilingual help.
Other Questions? The Elections Department has answers. You can track your ballot, look up wait times at polling places, and use this handy election navigator to check your readiness as a voter.
Concerned about election day safety and legitimacy? Check out the plans in place by Department of Justice. DOJ outlines Election the plans Day Program to support voters, ensure safety – NBC Bay Area
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Dia de Los Muertos festivities held citywide
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Day of the Dead Festival Potrero Del Sol Park
The Festival of Altars creates portals to our ancestors and unites Latinx communities to process grief through shared cultural practices.
2827 Cesar Chavez Street
Saturday, November 2
8am installations begin
Noon ceremony
5pm performances
43rd Annual Procession in The Mission
22nd Street and Bryant Streets, marks the start of the procession, with stops along 24th Street
Saturday, November 2 | 5pm-10pm
4th Annual Día de Los Muertos Outer Sunset
A night of food, music, dance and culture.
37th Avenue at Ortega and Pacheco
Friday, November 1 | 6-10pm
Community Celebration with Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
2868 Mission Street
Saturday, November 2 | 5pm-10pm
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Board of Supervisors | District 3 | Aaron Peskin
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