San francisco
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: MediaNews Group/East Bay Times via Getty Images / Getty
Protesters angry over the war in Gaza shut down the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco as part of a day of action worldwide.
On Monday (April 15), the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California, became the scene of a major protest by those opposed to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Protesters accessed the bridge from the southbound side at 7:30 a.m. local time, blocking the travel lanes on the bridge by chaining themselves to each other, using tubes in what’s referred to as a “sleeping dragon” method. Some protesters held up a banner that read, “Stop the world for Gaza” in capital letters.
The morning commute was brought to a standstill, with law enforcement clearing the protesters and reopening the bridge at 12:15 p.m. Before it was cleared up, traffic was backed up into Marin County on the southbound 101 highway. The California Highway Patrol told members of the press that 26 of the protesters present were arrested for multiple charges, including unlawful assembly, false imprisonment, refusal to comply with a lawful order, resisting arrest and conspiracy.
Some drivers caught up in the traffic jam caused by the protest boiled over into frustration, with one confrontation being caught on camera. “We’re just trying to get home or work, everyone’s just mad,” said one driver, Aung Zin. “I think this is the only way people will listen but at the same time, I wish there was a resolution around it.” Another driver spoke about their frustration as the protests blocked them from arriving for a medical procedure. “I’m headed to the city for stem cell replacement. They’re frozen I have to get there before they thaw. I’m feeling frustrated, I support the right for people to protest but if It causes thousands of people disturbance, it isn’t the right way to go about it,” said Rachel McKim.
The protest was part of A15, a day of action initiating a worldwide economic blockade to display solidarity with the Palestinian people in Gaza who have suffered over 30,000 lives lost and to call for the end of aid to Israel by the United States. It was set for Monday to coincide with it being the final day for U.S. citizens to submit their taxes. Other protests occurred on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, as well as at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Justin Sullivan / Getty
Officials with the city of San Francisco have stated that the new giant “X” sign of Elon Musk’s rebranding of Twitter was done without a permit.
On Friday (July 28th), the tech entrepreneur announced a rebrand of the social media messaging platform Twitter to X, removing the bird logo many have come to associate with the company from the company’s headquarters on Market Street, with the Twitter logo replaced with a huge “X” that lights up at high intensity as night falls. But a complaint by city officials charges that the billionaire didn’t have a permit for the change and barred entry to inspectors.
“NOV issued for work without permit. Site visited by MH and spoke with Twitter (sic) representatives and Building maintenance engineer representatives. I explained BID’s complaint investigation process and requested access to roof area. Twitter (sic) representative declined to provide access but did explain that the structure is a temporary lighted sign for an event. I explained to all representatives that the NOV requires the structure to be removed with a building permit or legalize,” the complaint read.
Another detail in the complaint revealed that officials were denied access to the roof in another attempt to review the new sign on Saturday (July 29th). Patrick Hannah, a spokesperson for San Francisco’s Department of Building Inspection said in an interview that “to ensure consistency with the historic nature of the building and to ensure the new additions are safely attached to the sign,” the city requires a permit. A Notice of Violation could mean that the company could incur permit fees in addition to those incurred for an investigation into why the situation occurred.
Residents have complained about the new sign’s brightness at night being a nuisance. KQED journalist Christopher Beale captured the sign’s strobe-light effect in a video he posted on the platform. “I feel like if I was a person that was maybe epileptic or had a sensitivity to bright lights and strobes it would be a major problem to live here. For now, it’s just an irritant,” he said to reporters. He did note that the X did go dark on Sunday night (July 30th).
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: NurPhoto / Getty
The founder of the popular mobile app Cash App, Bob Lee, was murdered in a fatal stabbing on a street in San Francisco.
According to reports, law enforcement responded to an incident in the downtown Rincon Hill neighborhood at 2:35 a.m. early Wednesday morning (April 5). The victim, later identified as Bob Lee, was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The cryptocurrency startup, MobileCoin, where Lee served as the chief product officer, announced his death in a tweet later that day.
His father, Rick Lee, later posted an emotional tribute through his Facebook account. “Life has been an adventure with two bachelors living together, and I’m so happy that we were able to become so close these last years. Bob would give you the shirt off his back,” the post read. “He would never look down on anyone and adhered to a strict no-judgment philosophy. Bobby worked harder than anyone and was the smartest person I have ever known. He will be missed by all those that knew him.” The two had recently relocated to Miami from outside of San Francisco last October.
According to his LinkedIn profile, the 43-year-old was responsible for the creation of the popular financial app as well as serving as the chief technical officer of Square (now Block). Lee also lent his expertise to the development of Android software and invested in SpaceX, Clubhouse, Tile and other tech companies. Jack Dorsey, the former Twitter CEO who is now Block’s CEO, reacted to the news on social media as “Heartbreaking,” before continuing: “Bob was instrumental to Square and Cash App.”
Lee apparently was in town for a leadership summit held by MobileCoin and had met up with longtime friends on the night of his death. Local reporting details that surveillance cameras captured the moments after he was attacked. San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott sent out his condolences via Twitter and also stated that police couldn’t comment on details of the crime as investigations had just begun.
The incident has added to the growing concerns raised about the rate of crime in San Francisco as the city is moving out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of Twitter, wrote on the platform in regard to Lee’s death that “Violent crime in SF is horrific and even if attackers are caught, they are often released immediately.” Preliminary data released by the police show an uptick in homicides this year as compared to 2021.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Outside Lands makes its return this summer in 2023, celebrating 15 years of music, cannabis, and culture in the Bay Area region. Taking place again at Golden State Park in San Francisco and passes for Outside Lands are now on sale with a newly announced GA+ tier.
Earlier this week, the festival lineup was officially shared and features the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, and ODESZA. The addition of ODESZA makes them the first EDM act to rock the main stage.
The pass types are 3-Day GA at $449, 3-Day GA+ at $674, 3-Day VIP at $1,029, and Golden Gate Club are $4,899. Payment Plan options for 3-Day GA start at $99 down, 3-Day GA+ start at $159 down, and 3-Day VIP starts at $199 down and include 3 additional payment installments. Taxes and fees apply for all price levels and payment plans.
The GA+ tier offerings include expedited entry, an exclusive GA+ lounge with access to flushable bathrooms, refillable water stations, and complimentary soft drinks, plus a full-service bar and food for purchase.
Outside Lands 2023 will take place over the course of three days, August 11 through 13. Additional performers announced include Megan Thee Stallion, J.I.D., Lil Yachty, Lana Del Rey, The 1975, and more.
The full lineup can be viewed below. Click here to purchase your passes and learn more.
Source: Outside Lands / OSL
—
Photo: Tim Mosenfelder / Getty
-
Pages