October 22, 2003, that’s the date of the photo when TPTA met with Fiona Ma; it’s a date all of us at Trinity Plaza who have been involved in our struggle will remember as long as we live. It’s the day Fiona Ma promised us she would do everything she could to support us, her rationale being “It’s the right thing to do.” But less than four months later, Ma showed us what she was really made of — lies, a back-stabbing mentality, with hypocrisy worn as if it were a virtue.
In February 2004, after the Anti-Demolition Ordinance passed the Land Use Committee and made it to the full Board of Supervisors, Fiona Ma voted NO on the Honorable Chris Daly’s proposed legislation that would have protected tens of thousands of tenants from the threat of eviction by unscrupulous land speculators focused on demolishing affordable, rent-controlled housing. Ma was joined in the NO vote by the anti-tenant Tony Hall and the anti-tenant Michela Alioto-Pier.
After Mayor Gavin “Republican-Lite” Newsom vetoed the Ordinance, the Board had an opportunity to overturn Newsom’s first veto. But on the second vote a month later, Ma again voted NO and was again joined by Hall and Alioto-Pier, and the three were joined by the backstabbing anti-tenant Bevan Dufty (who appears to be using the supervisor’s chamber as a campaign pulpit) after he turned his back on renters and tenant’s rights.
While the Trinity Plaza struggle has never been about the Ellis Act, it very well could have been the course chosen by Angelo Sangiacomo. Indeed, when we endeavored placing the Housing Preservation Initiative on the November 2005 ballot, it was originally Sangiacomo’s intent to tear down Trinity Plaza and replace it with mostly condos.
For Fiona Ma to proclaim that “The Ellis Act is sometimes the only way for some people to become homeowners and I support it” exhibits her anti-tenant mentality. What Ma is really saying is she supports evicting seniors, the disabled, people of color, low-income tenants so that unscrupulous land speculators can reap humongous profits at the expense of the most vulnerable people in our city. What Ma is really saying is she supports the warped mindset of Profits Over People.
As a result of Ma’s anti-tenant mindset, our sisters and brothers at the Civic Center Hotel now face the uncertain future that Trinity Plaza tenants once faced. I must advise the members of the Civic Center Hotel Tenants Association (CCHTA) not to expect support from Ma, and if she tells you she’ll support your struggle because “It’s the right thing to do,” don’t trust her!
Fiona Ma a friend of tenants? BULLSxxT! Ma not only lied to the members of the Trinity Plaza Tenants Association about her “alleged” support for us, but she has consistently voted in favor of anti-tenant measures involving TICs and the Ellis Act. And when faced with truly progressive legislation, Ma consistently has voted against tenants.
The honorable Paul Hogarth has correctly assessed what must happen in the race to represent Assembly District 12; we need a fighter for tenants’ rights, a TRUE progressive — not a forked-tongue hypocrite — to stand in solidarity with Mark Leno. And that’s not Fiona Ma. While this is not an endorsement of Janet Reilly, on the issue of capital punishment Ms. Reilly has the courage to proclaim her opposition. What’s Fiona Ma’s stance? Ma stands as judge, jury, and executioner.
In the above photo, Ma’s hand is on the back of widely loved and respected Elizabeth Glover, who recently turned 90. Elizabeth almost ended up living on the street because of Ma’s anti-tenant sentiment. For that, we’ll Never forgive Ma — and Ma should definitely NOT expect TPTA to endorse her hopefully-failed bid for the seat representing Assembly District 12.
