Hungry for justice: Equipto speaks for the Frisco 5 on hunger strike to demand SFPD Chief Suhr be fired or Mayor Lee resign

Weakened but determined after a week without food, the Frisco 5 invite everyone to the Mission Police Station, 17^th & Valencia, to show some love

by The People’s Minister of Information JR Valrey

The latest front in the fight to fire SFPD Chief Suhr is a hunger strike outside the Mission Police Station led by rapper Equipto (Ilych Sato) and his mother, Maria Cristina Gutierrez (center of photo above), whose idea it was back in 2014 when Alex Nieto was executed by SFPD. She says, “Enough is enough. I cannot live in this city anymore. I will not eat until the chief of police is gone.” Rapper Selassie (behind Equipto and Maria) is another of the Frisco 5, the moniker the press has given the hunger strikers.

Hundreds of mostly Black and Brown protesters are coming most nights in support and to protect the strikers from SFPD’s dirty tricks, like threatening to arrest them, telling them the restrooms are out of order and shutting off the electricity where they were recharging their phones.

Edwin Lindo, one of the strikers and a candidate for District 9 Supervisor, posted this message with the photo above: “Day 7 without food. Something special is happening. Our community’s spirit keeps me standing and makes our purpose even clearer. My body hurts and my muscles are sore, but let me tell you, my soul is full and my spirit unwavering.

“We were called to do this. We didn’t know how long we must go without food – but what is clear now is that it doesn’t matter. We will be here until justice is served. Fear does not exist when you are willing to sacrifice your life for what your people deserve. The police have harassed, threatened, denied access to restrooms and intimidated.

Fear does not exist when you are willing to sacrifice your life for what your people deserve.

“What they fail to realize is that we are resilient. This is not a moment; it is a movement that stands on the strength of our ancestors, our fellow social justice warriors who set the path, and my brothers and sister not eating in the name of saving our children and families. SFPD Chief Suhr, you must resign.”

The People’s Minister of Information JR Valrey is associate editor of the Bay View, author of “Block Reportin’” and “Unfinished Business: Block Reportin’ 2” and filmmaker of “Operation Small Axe” and “Block Reportin’ 101,” available, along with many more interviews, at www.blockreportradio.com. He can be reached at [email protected].