We, the undersigned residents and voters of San Francisco, call on the Board of Supervisors to remove Supervisor Rafael Mandelman from his position as President of the Board.

As the highest legislative seat in San Francisco, the office of Board President should be held by someone who earns the trust of the public and sets a higher standard for leadership. Many of us have lost confidence in Supervisor Mandelman because of comments that sexual assault among gay men should be treated under an alternate legal standard, continuing to endorse a sexual assaulter even after three credible allegations, and his refusal to speak to local media about this issue.

When an elected leader dismisses serious harm or avoids accountability, it weakens trust in local government and leaves people feeling unheard. San Francisco deserves leadership that treats all people with fairness, understands the seriousness of sexual violence, and is willing to face the public directly.

We ask his colleagues on the Board of Supervisors to take the necessary steps to remove him from his position as president. We urge them to act in the interest of the people they serve and restore confidence in the Board’s leadership.