San Francisco, CA
Thousands flock to SF's Hippie Hill for 'unofficial' 420 celebration
Thousands flock to SF’s Hippie Hill for ‘unofficial’ 420 celebration
Thousands of weed worshipers flocked to San Francisco’s Hippie Hill for an unofficial, but still spirited version of 420.
SAN FRANCISCO – Thousands of weed worshipers flocked to San Francisco’s Hippie Hill for an unofficial, but still spirited version of 420.
The annual pilgrimage to Golden Gate Park went on despite the absence of organized entertainment this year.
“The official 420 has been canceled,” said Tamara Barak Aparton of San Francisco Recreation and Parks ahead of the event. “It just comes down to economics. The usual organizer for 420 couldn’t get the level of sponsorship that he was accustomed to from people in the cannabis industry. I guess they’re struggling a bit, and the City, we had to cut our budget as well, so we couldn’t subsidize it.”
“I think it got pretty packed for a canceled event,” said one 420 attendee, lighting up a joint as the clock struck twenty-past-four on Saturday.
Still, the crowd was noticeably smaller than in years past when live bands, concession stands, and other attractions beckoned weed lovers to the grassy expanse.
San Francisco 4/20: Thousands chill at Hippie Hill
It’s the unofficial cannabis holiday, 4-20 and in San Francisco, thousands trek out to Hippie Hill and celebrate.
“Having a high old time,” said Bill Parker amid a cloud of smoke on Hippie Hill with his wife.
“It’s not as lively or something, but it’s totally fun,” said Patrice Parker.
But, as some attendees pointed out, there was a time when none of the additional amusements existed. The celebration 420 started out as a rebellious gathering of weed fans in the 70’s far before its legalization in the State.
“It’s back to being the way it was in the beginning,” said Debbie Harms. “It’s just a really nice vibe. Everybody’s happy. There wasn’t a bunch of fences and regulations and advertising this year. It was really nice.”
What’s New
Hilton hotel workers in San Francisco voted on Christmas Eve to approve a new union contract after a 93-day strike, according to the Unite Here Local 2 union.
The union, which represents about 15,000 workers in the region, announced that the deal settles the last of the city’s 2024 hotel strikes, covering approximately 900 Hilton workers.
Newsweek has contacted Unite Here Local 2 and Hilton via email for comment.
Justin Sullivan/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Why It Matters
The new contracts after this year’s strikes establish significant improvements in wages, health care and workload protections for workers at Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott-operated hotels.
The agreements conclude months of labor unrest that involved thousands of workers and disrupted San Francisco’s hotel industry.
What To Know
Hilton workers voted 99.4 percent in favor of the agreement on Christmas Eve, which includes a $3 per hour immediate wage increase, additional raises, and protections against understaffing and increased workloads.
The four-year contract preserves affordable union health insurance and provides pension increases. The deal covers workers at Hilton San Francisco Union Square and Parc 55, with 650 workers having actively participated in the strike.
This agreement follows similar contracts reached with Hyatt workers on Friday and Marriott workers last Thursday, covering a total of 2,500 workers who had been on strike since late September.
What People Are Saying
Bill Fung, a housekeeping attendant at Hilton San Francisco Union Square for 29 years, said: “These 93 days have not been easy, and I’m so proud that my coworkers and I never gave up. We stood together through the rain and cold, and even though there were some hard days, it was all worth it. We will go back to work with our health care, good raises, and the confidence of knowing that when we fight, we win.”
Lizzy Tapia, President of Unite Here Local 2, said: “Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott workers refused to give up their health care or go backwards – and we proved on the picket line that we’re not afraid of a tough fight. As contract talks begin with the city’s other full-service hotels in the new year, they should know that this is the new standard they must accept for their own employees.”
San Francisco Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie said on X: “All those that have been out on strike will be back to work, and just in time for Christmas. So, things are looking bright as we head into 2025.
What Happens Next
Unite Here Local 2 said it would push for other full-service hotels in San Francisco to adopt the same standards established by the Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott agreements when contract negotiations resume in 2025.
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