Call to Action

Hands Off the Coltrane Church The African Orthodox Church of St. John Coltrane – historic proprietors of the music and culture of jazz in San Francisco – is facing immediate eviction from the Fillmore next week. And we need your help to stop it. The Coltrane Church has been in San Francisco for 48 years. In that time, the church has provided free vegetarian meals to the homeless, spiritual counseling to the community, and has advocated for social and racial justice. The Church’s displacement from the Fillmore doesn’t just disrupt the Church and its work, but removes one of the few remaining institutions that survived so-called "redevelopment" – a racist government initiative that destroyed a once-vibrant African-American neighborhood. Last September, the Coltrane Church attempted to pay $15,000 in rent, as was agreed. However, West Bay refused the rent and delivered the Church a 3 day notice to quit, which started an eviction process. For the past five months, the West Bay Conference Center board members have evaded meetings with the Church to work out an agreement. Just this Wednesday, West Bay served the Coltrane Church an eviction notice schedule for next Wednesday, March 2nd. The mission of the West Bay Conference Center building, which is located in Fillmore Jazz Heritage District, is to provide low cost and subsidized space for local community organizations, institutions, and businesses. The Coltrane Church is simply asking for the West Bay Board to live up to its mission. Please (politely) call the following board members today and help stop the eviction: Floyd Tramell 415 749 6470 Dr. Amos Brown 415 559 2978 Leona Bridges 415 717 9213 Gordon Green Wood 510 465 7728 Suggested Script: Hi, may I speak to______? My name is ___________ and I am calling in support of the Coltrane Church. I'm asking that you stop the eviction that is schedule for next week March 2nd and sit down with the Church leaders to work out a better solution. The Coltrane Church is a beacon of jazz history and culture and we're asking you to help preserve their existence in San Francisco. Thank you. To find out to more about the Coltrane Church: http://www.coltranechurch.org/