Condemn Garry Tan's Call for Violence and Demand All Campaigns Return His Donations

GrowSF, Campaigns Supported by Garry Tan

The Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club stands in solidarity with all of San Francisco in condemning recent online statements by Garry Tan, a member of GrowSF’s board, CEO of Y Combinator, and a notable conservative political donor in San Francisco. In a Twitter/X post dated January 27, 2024, Tan advocated violence against seven San Francisco supervisors, including Connie Chan, Aaron Peskin, Dean Preston, Shamann Walton, Myrna Melgar, Hillary Ronen, and Ahsha Safai, using the words "Die slow, motherf***ers."

As the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club, founded by Harvey Milk and his supporters, we strongly condemn such behavior. We stress the urgent need for a political environment rooted in respect, understanding, and a commitment to fostering unity rather than division. Drawing inspiration from Milk's unwavering dedication to equality and a better future for LGBTQ individuals and workers, we emphasize the importance of holding advocacy for equality and respect in high regard. Despite frequently receiving death threats, Milk understood the potential danger his advocacy posed, leading him to famously declare in a pre-recorded statement: "If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door in the country."

The tragic murders of Harvey Milk and George Moscone did not occur in isolation, and we have zero tolerance for violent threats against our elected officials. While Garry Tan and his defenders attempt to downplay the gravity of his violent call to action, Tan's words carry real-world consequences. At least two named supervisors received direct threats to themselves and their families in written letters sent to their homes, calling for a "slow and painful death."

San Francisco deserves a political discourse grounded in respect, empathy, and a commitment to the well-being of all its residents. Therefore, the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club calls on all elected officials and political organizations to join us in condemning Tan, and we demand the following:
  1. That GrowSF condemn Garry Tan’s rhetoric and call for his immediate resignation from their Board of Directors
  2. That Y Combinator condemn Garry Tan’s rhetoric and call for his immediate resignation
  3. That any candidate running for elected office in San Francisco who has taken funds from Garry Tan immediately return or donate to charity any and all donations, including but not limited to the following:
    1. Bilal Mahmood for DCCC Member 2024 ($5,000)
    2. Nancy Tung for DCCC 2024 ($5,000)
    3. No on B, Stop the Cop Tax ($2,000)
    4. Jade Tu for Democratic County Central Committee 2024 ($1,000)
    5. Trevor Chandler for Supervisor 2024 ($500)
    6. Re-Elect Mayor London Breed 2024 ($500)
    7. Grow SF “Dump Dean” PAC ($50,000*)
    8. *Tan, who serves on the Board of the conservative Grow SF political organization, previously tweeted in 2023 that he has given $50,000 to GrowSF’s PAC to oust Preston.


Petition by
Harvey Milk Club
Harvey Milk Club
San Francisco, California

To: GrowSF, Campaigns Supported by Garry Tan
From: [Your Name]

I stand with the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club stands in condemning recent online statements by Garry Tan, a member of GrowSF’s board, CEO of Y Combinator, and a notable conservative political donor in San Francisco. In a Twitter/X post dated January 27, 2024, Tan advocated violence against seven San Francisco supervisors, including Connie Chan, Aaron Peskin, Dean Preston, Shamann Walton, Myrna Melgar, Hillary Ronen, and Ahsha Safai, using the words "Die slow, motherf***ers."

The tragic murders of Harvey Milk and George Moscone did not occur in isolation, and we have zero tolerance for violent threats against our elected officials. While Garry Tan and his defenders attempt to downplay the gravity of his violent call to action, Tan's words carry real-world consequences. At least two named supervisors received direct threats to themselves and their families in written letters sent to their homes, calling for a "slow and painful death."

San Francisco deserves a political discourse grounded in respect, empathy, and a commitment to the well-being of all its residents. Therefore, the Harvey Milk LGBTQ Democratic Club calls on all elected officials and political organizations to join us in condemning Tan, and we demand the following:
​
1. That GrowSF condemn Garry Tan’s rhetoric and call for his immediate resignation from their Board of Directors
2. That Y Combinator condemn Garry Tan’s rhetoric and call for his immediate resignation
3. That any candidate running for elected office in San Francisco who has taken funds from Garry Tan immediately return or donate to charity any and all donations.