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Sunday, 10 - 11:30 AM
Golden Gate Room
Is it possible to make a difference in the political arena? In the world? In San Francisco? What could that look like? If these are similar to questions you find yourself asking, take this opportunity to meet Matt Gonzalez. A trial lawyer for more than 15 years, Matt Gonzalez retired as president of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors to begin a law firm dedicated to green issues. He’s hosted progressive TV and radio shows and taught ”Evidence” at New College of California, “Art and Politics” at the San Francisco Art Institute, and “Government and Elections” at the California Institute of Integral Studies. In 2005, he addressed the Progressive Caucus of the US Congress about “Instant Runoff Voting, “debated the San Francisco head of FBI at the University of San Francisco on “The Patriot Act,” and spoke at the “Fighting Bob Fest,” a forum for progressive ideas on issues facing Wisconsin and the nation.
In August 2003, with only 4 months left in San Francisco’s mayoral race, colleagues on the Board of Supervisors and other disenchanted voters drafted Gonzalez to run against Gavin Newsom. Gonzalez’s message of clean, fiscally responsible government, and fair humane solutions to the city’s social problems unleashed an unprecedented surge of energy in the city. In this huge and diverse community, San Francisco’s brightest, most talented and creative people came out in full force to support his campaign. Garnering more than 47% of the vote, Gonzalez was narrowly defeated by Newsom.
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