By Kelcie Lee

“Welcome to Oz,” protesters said as they gathered in front of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s office in City Hall.

On June 15, more than 50 seniors – with four dressed as iconic characters Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion – protested the mayor’s proposed $8.9 million in budget cuts to senior and disability programs. While singing a parody of “Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz, Hene Kelly, dressed as Dorothy, led protesters to each supervisor’s office and asked them to “have a heart,” “use your brain” and “show some courage” to say no to senior cuts.

“Somewhere in San Francisco, there are funds to help those needing home care, food or a computer hub,” protesters sang to the tune of “Over the Rainbow.” “Let’s focus on real people’s needs, not just big tech and the police. Please help us find funds.”

City Hall protests continued throughout June, and maybe it was the costumes and song that brought them what they needed.

On June 1, Lurie presented his proposed $16.9 billion budget for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28, which aimed to close a $642 million two-year deficit, according to the City’s website. His budget also proposed sweeping cuts, including $2.9 million to Department of Disability and Aging Services programs and $6 million to other departments and organizations serving seniors.

Throughout June, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors deliberated and heard from the community about the proposed budget. On June 25, the Board’s Budget and Appropriations Committee unanimously voted to approve a budget restoring millions to senior and disability programs. The full board will cast a final vote July 21, sending the budget to Lurie’s desk to be signed into law before Aug. 1.

During the June 15 protest, seniors stressed the need for program funds and gave public officials a stack of hundreds of notes from seniors across the City.

“Everything about this budget is hurting everyday people who live here, one way or another,” said Kathe Burick, an Inner-Richmond District resident. “I have a god-granddaughter who is only eight months old, and I would like the City to be supportive of her as it has been of me. And I’m really, really worried that she might not be able to live here.”

Some of the supervisors and staff came out to address the protesters, voicing support for a restoration of senior cuts. District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, District 3 Supervisor Danny Sauter and Natalie Gee – the chief of staff for District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton and former District 4 supervisorial candidate – said restoration was a big priority as these cuts would impact some of the City’s most vulnerable.

“This is your city hall. This is our city hall. It is our budget, the people’s budget,” Chan said to protesters. “We’re going to deliver the people’s budget, and you have my commitment as your budget committee chair, as I have done in the last three fiscal years. We will continue this fight.”

Staff and members of Golden Gate Village, a senior program in the Richmond District, also attended the June 15 protest. According to Golden Gate Village Center Director Christine Ness, the proposed cuts were set to wipe out half of the program’s budget, and the village’s community members voiced their concerns at City Hall.

Golden Gate Village provides bilingual services for nearly 300 seniors in the Richmond, and hopes to help people remain in their home and community by enhancing their quality of life. In addition to providing transportation, events and food, the village also assists seniors with home maintenance or volunteers that accompany them on walks and errands, Ness said. She emphasized that programs similar to Golden Gate Village are vital services, and proposed cuts show a “fundamental lack of understanding about what we’re doing.

“It’s really heartbreaking, and I know that this is reflected in many of the programs that they’re cutting,” Ness continued. “They’re not duplicative; they are core services. It just is a really false narrative. They’re trying to basically abandon the people that need these city services most, and who are the ones who built the City in the first place. They’re being left behind.”

Ness said cuts to half the budget would have had a ripple effect because any major cut would affect the nonprofit’s other services, and staff hours would have to be cut across the board.

Richmond resident Anna Chou, who has been with Golden Gate Village for more than six years, said she was worried because she has seen the need for food distribution and language services firsthand.

On June 25, the budget approved by the Budget and Appropriations Committee fully restored cuts to Golden Gate Village.

“This outcome is the direct result of sustained, community-led pressure,” said Kaleda Walling, executive director at Golden Gate Village. “Seniors, people with disabilities, service providers and advocates made it clear that balancing the budget on the backs of our most vulnerable residents is unacceptable. The People’s Budget Coalition was instrumental in organizing that effort, and together we were able to reverse nearly all of the proposed cuts.”

Walling emphasized that although she is relieved, these services should never have been on the chopping block in the first place. She said this could be avoided in the future by having “structural commitments from the City” to protect and center senior and disability services in future budget decisions and establish multi-year, stable funding for these programs.

“This victory shows what’s possible when communities organize,” Walling said. “It also underscores the need for lasting policy solutions so we are not forced into the same fight year after year.”

The Board of Supervisors will cast a final vote on the budget on July 21.