Supervisor Preston Calls for Prioritization of City and Federal Response to String of Racist Hate Crimes Targeting Black Alamo Square Resident
On Tuesday, District 5 Supervisor Dean Preston introduced a resolution condemning a series of racist hate crimes targeting Alamo Square resident Terry Williams, urging local and federal law enforcement to prioritize identifying the perpetrators, and urging the Office of Victim Services to offer support to Williams and his family during their time of need.
Williams, a longtime neighborhood resident and beloved professional dog walker, received the first threatening package to his home in late April. The package, addressed to Williams by name and dropped off at his home, contained a Black doll with a noose around its neck, written racist slurs, and a toy grenade. Williams has since received a number of other items at his home, each laden with threats, racial slurs, and demeaning racial imagery. On Saturday, May 11, neighbors rallied with Williams, his family and friends, Supervisor Preston, and community leaders to support the family and call for action to stop these hate crimes.
“Terry is my neighbor and a beloved member of our community. I am disgusted that he and his family have been subjected to this intimidation campaign designed to make them, and any other Black person, feel unwelcome and afraid in their longtime home,” stated Preston. “I am introducing a resolution to send a loud and clear message that this conduct is unacceptable in San Francisco, and solving this case and protecting Terry and his family must be a top priority.”
The Fillmore and Western Addition neighborhoods, which include Alamo Square, have long been targeted by redevelopment, eviction, and displacement of Black community members, significantly changing the demographics in the area. Nevertheless, Williams has lived in the Alamo Square neighborhood his entire life. The packages with threats against Williams and his family explicitly call for them to leave the neighborhood because of their race.
“To see these kinds of threats directed at Black residents in our community is revolting, and brings to mind cross-burnings and other acts of racial terror targeting Black residents,” stated Preston. “Solving this case and protecting and supporting this family must be a top priority for our City.”
At Preston’s request, the Chief of Police William Scott agreed to deploy more patrols in the area as police investigate the case. No suspect had been apprehended or charged with the hate crimes as of Tuesday afternoon.
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