San Francisco mayor, city leaders honor Joey Alexander, Urban Alchemy worker shot and killed
A crowd of people gathered on the steps of San Francisco City Hall on Tuesday to honor the life and legacy of Joey Alexander, an Urban Alchemy ambassador who was shot and killed outside of the city's public library .
"I am overwhelmed by the turnout," said Mayor Daniel Lurie. "I am grateful every single day to all of you for your hard work and the collaboration of working in the streets on behalf of communities. So thank you, thank you."
Mayor Lurie was joined by over a dozen other speakers including SFPD Interim Chief Paul Yep, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins, District 5 Supervisor Bilal Mahmood, and District 10 Supervisor Shamann Walton.
Community leaders and advocates including Cedric Akbar of 'Positive Directions Equals Changes' and Robert Sky Carter of Urban Alchemy also spoke.
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"Because who else could bring us all together today and use Brother Alexander for that purpose," said Akbar.
"Our extended Urban Alchemy family, he just loved being out here. So when I see everybody out here, it actually brings joy to my heart and it tears to my eyes just to know that, he's having the support that he really didn't see," said Carter.
Urban Alchemy's CEO said this outpour of support is a huge boost in a tragic time. At one point during the rally, all of the group's workers in the crowd were asked to come up on the steps and be recognized.
"It feels like for so long, we were not really being acknowledged for the work we do or being taken for granted, so to hear so many people from chief of police to the mayor to the supervisors acknowledging what a difference we've made in this city," said CEO Dr. Lena Miller.
Mayor Lurie added that his administration is listening to the community's concerns and has increased police presence in the area since Alexander's killing.
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