Activists Move to Reclaim Comptons Cafeteria Site From Private Prison Operator

San Francisco’s Board of Appeals has empowered LGBTQ advocates to challenge the GEO Group's operation of a halfway house at 111 Taylor Street, a site marked by the 1966 Compton’s Cafeteria Riot. Activists from the Compton’s x Coalition argue that the facility undermines the site's legacy, which has faced scrutiny for overcrowding and unsafe conditions during its operation. Chandra Laborde, an architect and organizer, convinced the Board to allow a late appeal after citing the city's inadequate public notification process. Public commenters testified about the facility's impact, with Cherry Javier sharing her personal experience of her father's incarceration there. A successful appeal could require GEO to enter a public permitting process, allowing community involvement and potentially leading to permit denial.

Advocates hope to reclaim the site for community use, aligning it with its historical significance. “This is just the beginning,” activist Ezra Reaves stated, expressing commitment to preserving the site's legacy. The situation signifies a potential shift towards greater community oversight of carceral facilities in San Francisco.