8 Years Since The Frisco 5 Hunger Strike: Learning from One Revolutionary to The Next

Source: SF Examiner Jessica Christian
(Photograph of Frisco 5 members on Day 6 of the 17-day hunger strike, 2016)

By Joshua Baltodano
May 20, 2024

Last month, community members gathered at the Black n’ Brown Social Club to commemorate the anniversary of the Frisco 5 hunger strike, a 17-day long protest that led to the resignation of the City’s Chief of Police. The five hunger strikers who put their lives on the line 8 years ago are Maria “Mama Christina” Guiterrez (pictured in the top left), her son Ilyich “Equipto” Sato (middle right), Ike Pinkston (bottom left), Edwin Lindo (top right) and Sellassie Blackwell (bottom right). The gathering was an opportunity for people to learn first-hand from the hunger strikers. 

The Frisco 5 members began their hunger strike shortly after the San Francisco Police Department murdered Luis Gongora, a homeless man of Mayan descent living in an encampment underneath the US-101 in the Mission District. On April 7, 2016, two police officers arrived at Shotwell and 18th Street where Luis Gongora was sitting down on the pavement, verified by witnesses and a police report. Officer Mallone then shot four beanbag rounds at Gongora, claiming he wasn’t responding to commands. Gongora then allegedly got up and picked up a kitchen knife, at which point Officer Steger fired 7 live rounds killing him. No charges against the pigs were ever made.

Additionally, around the same time, 8 officers were fired for racist text messages in a federal corruption case. However, the San Francisco Police Officers Association (POA) refused any proposed policy changes suggested by the SF Police Commission.

After so many scenarios of SFPD racial bias and excessive use-of-force including the murders of Alex Nieto (3/21/14), Amilcar Perez Lopez (2/26/15), Mario Woods (12/2/15), and then Luis Gongora (4/7/16), it was time for activists do something drastically different.

Mama Christina’s Leadership

Photographer: Andrew Brobst
Mama Christina speaking on the Frisco 5 hunger strike. Black n’ Brown Social Club 4/21/2024

Mama Christina, no stranger to protesting against injustice, got her start in organizing in Colombia with her father. She was one of the few female trade unionists at the time.

Now, living in Frisco for over 40 years, her revolutionary work continues, as she is an active member of the Mario Woods Coalition, and runs the Mothers on the March collective that meets every Friday outside the Hall of Justice, passionately demanding “Jail Killer Cops!” As her son Equipto previously stated, “Sometimes a lot of the survivors don’t have a platform or the confidence to address their personal issues. I think my mother helps out with that.”

Before the hunger strike against the Chief of Police started, Mama Christina told her son that she “was tired of marching” and wanted people to pay attention to the police. When she called for a hunger strike, Equipto, along with Blackwell, Lindo and Pinkston collectively joined.

The Strike

On Thursday, April 21, 2016, the Frisco 5 began their hunger strike by setting up tents outside of SF’s Mission District police station, armed with only coconut waters and vitamin waters, vowing to stay put until SFPD chief Greg Suhr is fired or resigns. 

As days passed, so many people from the community came out in support including Aztec danza dancers, lowriders, and even a makeshift medical clinic by Dr. Rupa Marya that stationed medical student-physicians to check in on the Frisco 5’s vitals as well as their mental well-being. 

“As the days went by, the group rallied around Mama Cristina.” Edwin Lindo said. “She was the force who held them together.” It wasn’t until the 13th day that the Mayor, Ed Lee, “tried” to meet with them, privately. Rather than agree to the Mayor’s attempt to circumvent the momentum, the Frisco 5 organized a march with hundreds of supporters throughout the Mission District to City Hall, demanding he meet on their terms. At this point, due to severe food deprivation, Dr. Marya had a medical physician accompany each hunger-striker, while tending their wheelchairs. 

Not surprisingly, the Mayor never showed up. 

Source: KALW Mona Caron
(Photograph of Frisco 5 members on Day 13 of the 17-day hunger strike, 2016) 

Unfortunately, later that afternoon, all 5 organizers were hospitalized, including one member who lost 15 pounds since starting. It galvanized the community to support the Frisco 5 even more. 

The Turning Point of the Hunger Strike

On the 16th day of the hunger strike, the City rallied behind the Frisco 5 with a huge march to City Hall. Ike Peterson recalled how hopeless he felt with his fellow comrades until he witnessed well over 800 people marching. The crowd turned into what is known as the Frisco 500 collective. 

As protestors barged through the front doors of City Hall, they were met with dozens of sheriff deputies in full riot gear armed with batons. The Frisco 500 successfully pushed through the deputies and then began hammering on the Mayor’s door, calling for the removal of the police chief.

(Photo: Shadi Rahimi/AJ+)
Protesters in front of City Hall waiting to speak with Mayor Ed Lee.

A massive protest erupted within City Hall with several organizers, as well as journalists, “shoved and manhandled by sheriff’s deputies.” They arrested 33 people, including one juvenile. The entire occupation within City Hall lasted over 7 hours.

The following day, May 7, 2016, the Frisco 5 called off their hunger strike. And just 2 weeks later, SFPD killed an unarmed Black woman, Jessica Williams. Immediately after, Mayor Ed Lee told police chief Greg Suhr to resign. If it weren’t for the Frisco 5 hunger strike, Suhr’s ousting would never have happened.

The following year, Greg Shur was hired as Golden State Warriors head of Security; however, due to community outcry on Twitter, he was immediately fired. 

Photographer: Andrew Brobst
Frisco 5 hunger strikers. Black n’ Brown Social Club 4/21/2024

In closing, at the Black n’ Brown social club, one of the Frisco 5 members said, “Going into a hunger strike is something you don’t plan, until you feel no other options will work.” As we look back on what happened 8 years ago, and what is happening today, others will also need to decide what they are willing to sacrifice for the cause.