San Francisco, CA
Repeat Racism: Black SF man who found doll with noose around its neck is targeted again
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A frightening new development for the Black Alamo Square man who found a doll with a noose around its neck on his doorstep last month: On Sunday morning, it had happened again, and this time the imagery and slurs accompanying the doll seemed to have escalated.
Dog walker Terry Williams discovered the first doll in a plastic bag the morning of April 26. Accompanying it was a piece of paper with dozens of slurs and racist imagery so bad we couldn’t show it on TV or online.
On Sunday morning, Williams woke up to find another bag. But this time, along with a different colored doll — also in a noose — was a toy grenade and threats if he did not leave the neighborhood.
EXCLUSIVE: Black San Francisco man finds doll with noose around neck at his home
A San Francisco man is livid after finding a doll with a noose around it’s neck among other things on the doorstep of his Alamo Square home.
“They’re really targeting me. This is reaching another level. It has another picture of me and detail at the bottom what they’re going to do. ‘We’re coming for you,’” Williams said.
Neighbors have since banded together to raise money for Williams in a GoFundMe so he can install new security cameras and move his elderly parents into a temporary home. They’re disappointed that, despite their calls to police last week, this happened again. They’re urging the community to reach out to Supervisor Dean Preston, the SFPD police chief and other city leaders.
“There have been zero updates. We hope, going forward, they can be more transparent and let us know what’s going on and the actions they’re taking to find who did this,” said Katrina Queirolo, Williams’ nextdoor neighbor.
Williams says he is now living in fear and unable to leave his home for extended periods of time.
MORE: ‘I hate black people’: SJ officer no longer with dept. after exchanging racists texts, chief says
“Nobody is patrolling the block. You’d think they’d be patrolling more. To walk up and do what they did. They don’t have no fear, doing nothing in this neighborhood, it makes you wonder are you really being protected in this neighborhood? They’re not doing anything,” he said.
Williams has been in contact with president of the San Francisco chapter of the NAACP, Amos Brown. Supervisor Dean Person tells ABC7 News in a statement he has known Williams for years and is tracking the case closely with the police chief and local police capitan. Preston calls the incidents “vile harassment and intimidation,” which will not be tolerated.
Williams, Queirolo, and other neighbors are vowing to continue their own investigation, gathering surveillance video from surrounding buildings to aid in the investigation.
If you’re on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
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San Francisco, CA
Dead owner, disgraced official: Why this blighted theater sits empty after 17 years
Over the years, multiple plans have been proposed for the theater, located at 2465 Mission St. between 20th and 21st streets, but none of them ever materialized. Now, after the structural engineer for the most recent plan went to prison—disgraced former city official Rodrigo Santos—and one of the two property owners died, the ruined theater’s future is uncertain.
“There’s no plans right now for the Tower Theater,” said Robert Cort, who co-owned the property with his mother, Vera Cort, until her death last month at age 82. “I’m not developing anything there. I’m just hoping someone will lease it and fill the space.”
Despite Cort’s hopes that someone will lease the property, he admitted it isn’t listed on the rental market. There are no listings online for the property. When The Standard visited the site on Wednesday, there were no signs advertising the space as available for lease.
Cort said that dealing with his late mother’s estate left him no time to sign a listing agreement for the theater.
“There’s just so much going on,” he said.
San Francisco, CA
Community rallies around beloved SF dog walker after house fire
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – A San Francisco neighborhood came together on Sunday to gather donations for a beloved community dog walker who lost his home in a fire on Tuesday. It’s just the latest challenge Terry Williams has had to face after receiving several racist packages at his home near Alamo Square last month.
“It feels real good you know all the love, all my neighbors and friends showing up, writing letters on the garage,” said Terry Williams.
Williams, who lives with his parents, was not at home when the fire broke out. Williams’ parents were rescued by firefighters from the upper floors of the three-story residence. The home has since been red tagged.
On Sunday, neighbors held a block party fundraiser for the family, dropping off supplies and clothing.
“I just felt like I needed to do something. He is like the Mayor of Alamo Square, so everybody knows him,” said neighbor Clarice Torrey. “He has been such a great neighbor. He has stopped a break in for me, and he’s moved my car for street sweeping.”
Beloved Alamo Square dog walker Terry Williams during a May 11 rally in support of him and his family.
“It’s a lot, but I’m trying to be strong, but in moments I do break down,” said Williams.
Last month, he received two racist packages, including a black doll with a noose wrapped around its neck. San Francisco Police are now investigating both deliveries as hate crimes.
Meantime, officials said it could be months before they can determine what caused the fire.
San Francisco, CA
Photos: Carnaval San Francisco 2024 fills, thrills Mission District
Michelle Jeffers, chief of community programs and partnerships for the city’s public library, said Sunday would be her first Carnaval, and pointed to her parade float members preparing for the day’s displays of community presence.
Many on the float work at the Mission branch’s temporary site on Valencia Street between 23rd and 24th streets during the original location’s renovation, which is due to finish in 2025.
“We’re trying to stay hydrated, getting our scarves ready, and we’ve got our ride,” Jeffers said, pointing to one of the library’s bookmobiles. “We just love a parade!”
Sunday’s parade followed a Carnaval festival that began Saturday along several blocks of Harrison Street, featuring music, dancing, food and crafts.
Musical headliners included Mexican singer Noel Torres, Latin fusion group Pirulo Y La Tribu and Honduran band Banda Blanca blending merengue and punta sounds. Cuban Latin pop star Franco was also set to perform. Previous headliners have included Santana, Tower of Power, Los Lonely Boys, Celia Cruz, Los Tigres del Norte and Tito Puente.
The festival typically draws 400,000 people, according to local organizers, and generates about $10 million for local businesses.
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