San Francisco Protests ‘Significantly Calmer’ on 2nd Day: Mayor Lurie

Mayor Daniel Lurie said safety is his first priority at a press conference in San Francisco on June 9, 2025. Crystal Lu/The Epoch Times

SAN FRANCISCO—Northern California’s Bay Area is facing more protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, but they were “significantly calmer” on June 9 than protests on the previous day, said Mayor Daniel Lurie in a June 10 public safety briefing.

Coinciding with the more violent protests in Los Angeles, thousands demonstrated in front of San Francisco City Hall on June 9, before they paraded toward the Mission District, on the second day of major protests.

At least 80 people were arrested that night after 10 p.m. for allegedly committing vandalism, destroying property, and obstructing traffic around Market and Van Ness streets, said authorities.

“We delivered a clear message on Sunday: we will always protect the right to protest peacefully, but violence and destruction have no place in our city,” Lurie said in the briefing.

Police said 148 were arrested after a protest that peaked at 400 participants in downtown San Francisco became violent on June 8, and 147 were cited and released, with only one aggravated assault charge booked, acting Police Chief Paul Yep said at a June 9 press conference.

Yep thanked officers who “faced numerous attacks” that night.

Two officers were injured by thrown objects, and one of them was transported to a hospital for treatment, said Fire Department Chief Dean Crispen.

Half of those arrested Sunday night, including 6 juveniles, were not San Francisco residents, Yep said.

“As mayor, my first priority every single day is the safety of everyone in San Francisco, whether you live here, work here, or are visiting here, you deserve to be safe,” Lurie said. “That is my number one responsibility.”

Protests against ICE enforcement in Los Angeles started on June 6 and quickly escalated to violence. The San Francisco Police Department and Sheriff’s Office announced in a post on social media platform X on June 8, prior to the protest that night, that they were closely monitoring the situation in Los Angeles.

Additional protests are planned across the United States for the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations on June 14, where activists say they will speak out against President Donald Trump’s decision to send National Guardsmen and troops to Los Angeles.

“We expect more activities this week. We are prepared, and we will keep people safe,” Lurie said at the June 9 press conference.

In a photo posted June 10 on X, Lurie was pictured at the Emergency Operations Center coordinating public safety activities and monitoring the ongoing protests.

Assistant Sheriff Kathy Johnson said at the June 9 news conference that the department is ready for possible mass arrests, and additional jail housing units stand by if the need arises.

Police Deputy Chief Derrick Lew confirmed to reporters at the June 10 briefing that the department had prepared “less lethal munitions” in response to the situation ahead.

San Francisco has enforced sanctuary city policies for decades. A 1989 city ordinance generally forbids local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.

The city’s District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said at the June 9 news conference that her office will “file charges against those who are committing vandalism, violence, and other acts that are criminal in San Francisco.”