Third Baptist Church Hosts Urgent Gathering to Confront Recent Anti-Black Racism in San Francisco Bay Area

On September 5, 2024, Third Baptist Church of San Francisco brought together law enforcement officials, city leaders, faith communities, citizens, and victims of recent attacks to address a disturbing rise in anti-Black racist incidents across San Francisco and the Bay Area. Led by our Third Baptist Pastor Reverend Dr. Amos C. Brown, also President of the San Francisco NAACP, the gathering rallied people overnight and emphasized the urgent need for collective action against hate crimes targeting Black communities.

A Call to Action Against Hate

"Nothing is more powerful than an idea whose time has come." ― Victor Hugo

Reverend Brown framed his introductory remarks with a quote from Victor Hugo that represents the power of coming together to unite and stand against hate crimes, with the message that such crimes will be met with criminal action and counteracted with the forces of justice.

The event highlighted a surge in racist graffiti, verbal assaults, and vandalism, including the defacement of the Youth 1st building—a nonprofit after-school program—with racist slurs and a noose hanging on its door. 

"These are deliberate attempts to spread fear and hate,” stated Supervisor Ahsha Safaí. “We must confront these incidents head-on to ensure our city remains a safe place for all."

Personal testimonies from victims underscored the impact of these hate crimes. Wendy Drew shared her experience of enduring racial slurs and being physically attacked, still bearing a black eye from the incident. Cara Harbor recounted the distress her children faced when racial slurs were hurled at them in an East Bay private school, where the perpetrator was initially expelled but later allowed back in. Christiana Porter, mother of five, described what it felt like to be violently arrested by police officers after being wrongfully stopped for jaywalking; Renard Monroe, Executive Director of Youth 1st, a youth non profit center in San Francisco's Lakeview neighborhood, described finding his building defaced with hate slurs and a noose hanging from a door knob. 

Terry Williams, a beloved dog walker in the Alamo Square neighborhood, received threatening packages with racist messages including a doll with a noose around its neck, and his Alamo Square house subsequently destroyed in a fire, rushing to evacuate his elderly parents who were trapped in the house.

Commitment to Justice

Reverend Brown spoke of not tolerating public policymakers "only giving a cotton-candy response to reparations” and apologies without follow-up action.

District Attorney Brooke Jenkins committed to holding perpetrators accountable, prosecuting those who commit hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law. “San Francisco is a city of diversity, inclusion, and justice, and we will fight to maintain these values."

Police Chief William Scott emphasized collaboration with community leaders and law enforcement agencies. FBI Special Agent Robert Tripp spoke of these crimes as an assault on humanity and safety as a fundamental human right. Civic and legal leaders assured that every incident is being thoroughly investigated and that the partnerships we have in the city will keep us safe and bring justice and accountability. 

Addressing the Growing Crisis

The rise in hate crimes against Black communities challenges San Francisco's core values of progressiveness and social justice. According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, anti-Black hate crimes are the most prevalent form of hate crime in the state. The gathering at Third Baptist Church was not just a response to recent incidents but a broader appeal for unity and justice.

Reverend Brown underscored the urgency of action: "The danger of leaving these incidents unchallenged and unpunished is enormous. We must stand together as a community to repudiate these actions, to find and punish the perpetrators, and to ensure that such occurrences do not happen again."

Moving Forward: Building a Community of Peace and Love

The meeting concluded with a powerful call to action for all San Francisco and Bay Area citizens. Attendees were encouraged to report any incidents of hate, stay vigilant, and work within their communities to foster understanding and solidarity. Initiatives proposed included increased community policing efforts, educational programs in schools, and continued partnerships between faith groups and law enforcement to build trust and collaboration.

One speaker urged, "We must teach kindness and forgiveness. We need to make each school safe, teach love and peace, and show our children to count to ten before they act out of extreme emotion." The emphasis was on proactive measures to create environments where hate cannot thrive and where every individual is treated with dignity and respect.

Reverend Brown captured the spirit of the gathering: "This is not just a fight for our Black community; it is a fight for the soul of our city. Every San Franciscan has a role to play in standing against hate, speaking out against injustice, and ensuring that our city remains a place where all are welcomed and valued."

The event at our Third Baptist Church served as a critical reminder of the ongoing battle against racism and the necessity of unified action. It highlighted the need for all sectors of society—government, law enforcement, community leaders, and everyday citizens—to come together to combat hate and build a more inclusive and just community.

As attendees left the church, the message was clear: the fight against racism is far from over, but together, we have the power to create meaningful change. For updates on future events and ways to get involved, please visit our Third Baptist Church website or contact us directly: (628) 867-7075