Previously: Protest That Closed Mission Streets Criticized For Lack Of Message, Strategic/Ideological Soundness
Fifteen people were cited for trespassing and two for vandalism during a demonstration in San Francisco’s Mission District late Saturday, police said.
A group of at least 50 protesters, calling themselves Mission Free State, said in a statement that they planned to occupy a building at 1950 Mission St. starting at 9 p.m. and open it as a homeless shelter and free school.
The group said the occupation was a response to the planned closure of a homeless shelter at 150 Otis St., as well as state furloughs, budget cuts and elimination of programs at San Francisco State University and University of California at Santa Cruz.
Protesters gathered outside the building, and shortly after 9 p.m. they were met by more than a dozen police officers in riot gear.
Police spokesman Officer Boaz Mariles said 15 people were cited for misdemeanor trespassing and released. Two of them were also cited for misdemeanor vandalism.
