Sister Roma

Join The Anti-Hate Violence March In The Castro

This Friday evening, join The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, Inc., The Castro Community On Patrol (CCOP), recent hate crime survivor Zachary Davenport, and all concerned members and friends of the GLBT community for a peaceful procession, anti-violence material distribution, and crime scene cleansing to STOP THE VIOLENCE.

“Help us raise awareness to the tragic increase in hate crimes and reclaim our neighborhood by joining our peaceful procession through the Castro, down Market to Church Street,” says Sister Roma of the STOP THE VIOLENCE committee.

Along the way we will educate and arm our community against hate crimes by handing out free anti-violence materials including STOP THE VIOLENCE window placards, whistles, and safety information. 

Hold vigil with us as we stop along the route at the scenes of three recent hate crimes (440 Castro, Pottery Barn, & Church & Market J-Church line) for a blessing and cleansing to purge the violence and bring safety back to our streets.

Meet the Sisters at Harvey Milk Station (Castro & Market) on Friday, Aug. 27 at 9 p.m. Safety materials and whistles will be provided. Show your support and help us STOP THE VIOLENCE. 

Fashionistas will appreciate the high quality, slender, one-piece aluminum whistles that won’t ruin the effect of tight pants! 

“Are things getting worse? Less tolerant? What is happening?” writes a FaceBook subscriber. “Maybe I am a little too idealistic, but I thought things were fairly coexistent and peaceful in this area. Is it outside forces or what? Very disturbing to know there is soooo much aggression out there when hell - we all belong to the same people group and regardless, each have our own specialties, quirks, and idiosyncrasies that make us … well... special! What’s the problem with some of them? Geez! March on! (in style of course!).” 

“I’ll be there as part of the CCOP team,” says Ken Craig, president of the Triangle Martial Arts Association, a non-profit LGBT focused martial arts organization founded in 1998 following the murder of Matthew Shepard, who was tortured and murdered near Laramie, Wyoming, in October 1998. “It is definitely time for us to 1) look after ourselves; 2) look after our friends; and 3) look after our community.” 

The concept of a Castro community patrol is not new. Back in the ‘70s the Butterfly Brigade patrolled the Castro as volunteers in a neighborhood watch. They distributed free whistles, encouraging queers to carry them at all times and blow them loudly, over and over as the sign of trouble, so others could gather at the scene and help. 

Back in the ‘80s The San Francisco Sisters promoted their STOP THE HATE campaign with whistle distribution, instructional cards, and signs to be placed in windows indicating the place within was a safe house for any queers under attack. 

“Since the beginning of summer, there has been a reported assault/ battery inside a half mile radius of 18th and Castro on average of once a day,” reports Sister Flatulina Grande. “We don’t have the luxury of waiting to take action.” 

“The community is responding with such a HUGE round of support and encouragement,” notes Sister MaryMae Himm. “I have been stopped or called by four or five friends in the last two days asking about the project, how they can help, and saying how grateful that we are doing something.”  

“One very significant facet of our efforts and work is shining light into the night, taking away the darkness and fear,” says Sister Dinah Might. 

“Thank you to the many Sisters that have offered their own money and have found donations from various supporters and businesses,” says Sister Flatulina. “CCOP loves the idea of partnering and they have a wealth of information to help us with.” 

When Castro Community on Patrol formed, a number of professional organizations came together to ensure that the volunteers who would perform the vital core function of the patrol would be trained as competently and professionally as possible. Their training curriculum was developed by senior black belt instructors with Triangle Martial Arts Association in cooperation with San Francisco Police Department (SFPD.com); San Francisco Safety Awareness For Everyone (SFSAFE.org); San Francisco Mayor’s Office; Supervisor Bevan Dufty’s Office; and Community United Against Violence (CUAV.org). 

CCOP patrol volunteer training is not intended to teach you to replace the police department, or to make arrests, or to break up arguments or fights on the streets. That is not the purpose of CCOP, and it is not the function of the patrol volunteers.  

CCOP patrol volunteers distribute safety awareness information and advice; present a visible presence for those in need to approach, and those intent on causing trouble to avoid; act as professional witnesses when they come upon an incident, staying at a safe distance and helping professional emergency personnel respond in a quicker and more informed manner; file general crime prevention and safety reports with local agencies to increase street lighting, fix sidewalks, secure dangerous manhole covers and so on. They emphasize the importance of volunteers having fun and enjoying themselves, while performing an extremely valuable community service. “Make a difference in our community,” they say. “Get involved and make a difference. Join our next Patrol Volunteer Training Class by sending an e-mail to our training coordinators at Training@CastroPatrol.org.