Homeless center would help transform Tenderloin

Regarding “Tenderloin groups are fighting the development of a homeless center — here’s their plan to stop it” (San Francisco, SFChronicle.com, April 16): Opponents of a proposed Tenderloin homeless center say that the neighborhood needs more retail space to help transform it.

The center’s services, such as a safe daytime space, showers, laundry and case management, seem to be what is really needed.

The opponents argue that the city would never consider opening such a center in Noe Valley or the Richmond. While that might be true, the 400 block of Turk Street is a long way from becoming a thriving retail destination.

Helping the people on the streets get off the streets would seem like a win-win scenario for all involved. Less street chaos would go a long way in helping the neighborhood become more accommodating and viable.

Dissent isn’t a crime

Regarding “S.F. DA Jenkins has a message for anyone delayed during Golden Gate Bridge protest” (Bay Area, SFChronicle.com, April 17): I am

a longtime Jewish resident of San Francisco, and I’m appalled by District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ authoritarian attacks against people who participated Monday in civil disobedience on the Golden Gate Bridge.

I have friends in Gaza and Israel, and they are all suffering from the war there. Yet our elected leaders won’t listen to

the majority of people who want a cease-fire in Gaza.

The Golden Gate Bridge protesters stand in the long line of American dissent, a proud San Francisco tradition. I apologize for the inconvenience to the drivers, but hundreds of thousands of lives in Gaza hang in the balance.

To impose harsh penalties on

protest and freedom of speech does no good. District Attorney Jenkins is not standing for what is right or what San Francisco stands for.

I also call on the Chronicle to provide balanced coverage rather than uncritically amplifying Jenkins’ attempts to prosecute peaceful demonstrators.

Maggie Angst/The Chronicle The Filipino Community Development Corp., in collaboration with other Tenderloin and South of Market nonprofits, plans to open a community center and shelter at 418-422 Turk St. in S.F.