Anger and concern swept across San Francisco on Wednesday as more than 1,500 residents gathered outside City Hall to protest the proposed budget cuts in Mayor Daniel Lurie’s new financial plan. As the city grapples with a deficit running into the hundreds of millions, the mayor’s proposal has sparked widespread frustration among workers and community advocates who fear losing essential services and their jobs. The protest was held just before the city’s budget committee convened for a planned session to review the proposal.
Among the attendees was Judy Sorro, a city employee who fears she may lose her job if the proposed budget is approved. Her frustration was palpable as she described the emotional toll of facing potential unemployment after years of service. For Sorro and many others, the looming budget cuts aren’t just numbers—they represent lives disrupted, families impacted, and essential services dismantled. “It makes me really angry, and it makes me upset,” she said. “But I’m just trying to keep the anger directed.”
Mayor Lurie has stated publicly that he will not reduce funding for public safety or homelessness services, insisting that some areas must remain protected despite the shortfall. However, critics argue that his approach shields some priorities at the expense of other essential services and the livelihoods of public sector workers. Many believe that the solution lies not in slashing jobs and services but in requiring more from those who can afford it.
Community advocate Jennifer Esteen, one of the many voices speaking out at the protest, expressed that sentiment clearly. She emphasized the need for greater contributions from corporations and wealthy individuals, especially in a city known for its deep economic divides. “Ultimately, that’s the big deal. Let the billionaires pay, which means the mayor himself. He’s going to have to get real with his peers,” Esteen said, calling attention to the structural inequities fueling the current crisis.
But the protest did not end outside City Hall. Many demonstrators moved inside to attend the public budget committee meeting, seizing the opportunity to voice their concerns during the comment session. Their goal was to ensure city leaders understood the real-world consequences of the decisions they were about to make. As community members spoke passionately about the importance of funding programs and preserving jobs, it was evident that the stakes extended beyond numbers on a spreadsheet.
Budget committee members acknowledged the painful choices ahead. Supervisor Matt Dorsey expressed empathy for those impacted, noting that while some amendments might be made, much of Lurie’s proposed plan is expected to pass. “This isn’t the kind of year where we’re going to be saying we’re making good choices and bad choices,” he said. “The reality is we’re going to be making a lot of bad choices, and we’re going to have to look people in the eye who are doing a great job for us—and who we’d love to fund—and say we’ve got no money for them.”
Despite the grim outlook, many workers are not backing down. People like Judy Sorro remain committed to fighting for their livelihoods and for the services that keep their communities thriving. For Sorro, activism is not new—it’s been a lifelong commitment. “I’ll be in the streets protesting. I mean, I’ve always done that,” she said. “I’ve never tried to rise myself up. I’m still in a pretty low position. It’s in my heart. It’s just who I am.”
As the debate continues, San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors has until July 31 to finalize and pass the new budget. In the weeks ahead, residents, workers, and advocates plan to keep the pressure on, demanding transparency, equity, and accountability from city leadership. For many, the outcome of this budget will determine not only the city’s financial direction but its moral compass in a time of economic uncertainty.
