Photo by Irene
By Steven T. Jones
Since news leaked out last week that city officials and event sponsor ING had decided behind closed doors to ban alcohol, floats, and nudity at the annual Bay to Breakers race, thousands of angry citizens have joined into an opposition campaign that they hope will overturn the ban, or at least create a public process for its discussion.
Several websites and Facebook groups have quickly formed and amassed more than 6,000 members, a nascent movement that Sup. Ross Mirkarimi’s office has become involved with coordinating, even though he’s walking a tricky tightrope between neighborhood groups unhappy with the raucous events’ impacts and those concerned about killing another signature San Francisco party.
Mirkarimi and opponents of the crackdown plan to hold a press conference tomorrow at 11:30 am on the steps of City Hall. Meanwhile, event organizers (represented by crisis management specialist Sam Singer) say they’ll be meeting with Mirkarimi, opposition leaders, and community groups over the next couple days to discuss the issue.
“It’s important for everyone to talk,” Singer told me. “Is there room for flexibility? It’s too soon to tell.”