gavin.newsom@sfgov.org

Dear Mayor Newsom,

I was deeply saddened to hear that you chose to spend the city’s money and time to paint over the beautiful graffiti and artwork found on Warm Water Cove Park. I’m not sure if you’re aim is to prevent crime or violence, but painting over artwork in drab colors certainly isn’t going to prevent either of those things, and will most likely just anger the artists, as well as all of us who love the color, vibrancy, culture, and community that these pieces create. We’re not talking about ugly graffiti that mars beautiful architecture or ruins people’s cars - the work you destroyed last week is art that enlivens and recreates otherwise desolate areas of the city. It was always a joy to see that graf. How terrible it is that San Francisco seems to be taking a step backwards into the world of Mayor Guiliani circa the 1990s.

Please stop this policy of painting over harmless, beautiful, and vibrant art in the city. It’s a part of what makes San Francisco so amazing to live and create in.