The Julian Davis allegations

10.15.12 - 2:59 pm | Tim Redmond |

(110)

Obviously the allegations in SF Weekly that Julian Davis groped a woman are serious stuff. For the record, nobody at the Guardian knew anything about this; we didn't know anything even remotely close. The worst we'd ever heard about Julian was that he was kind of an entitled jerk in his 20s who thought he was God's gift to women and sometimes came on a little strong. Groping? This is very serious business. Yes, we are reconsidering our endorsement. Yes, we take this about as seriously as you can take anything.

We of course have to talk to all sides, but we'll be making a recommendation by tomorrow.

Comments

Smells like a hit.

Hard to know for sure who or what to believe, but any time a "scary black guy assaults innocent white girl" story comes out 22 days before an election, you kinda have to think twice. Plus, just one week after the Mirkarimi drama! Campos and Avalos had no choice, they're still licking their wounds.

Posted by Political Realist on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:15 pm

Read the article. She tried

Read the article. She tried to discuss Davis' behavior months before this with progressive leaders. She didn't want them to give Davis their endorsement. They didn't listen. She only came out publicly once the Bay Guardian gave Davis their endorsement.

His attempt to quiet her by firing a cease-and-desist order from his lawyer appears to have done him more harm than good.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:30 pm

Why didn't she bring this up six years ago?

Or even three years ago? (Surely she could have mustered the courage in that time.) Why is it just coming out now, three weeks before an election? The timing is awfully interesting.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:59 pm

Why didn't she go to the police instead of the press?

At this point, it sounds like a case of "he said, she said." She should have reported it within a year or so after it occurred. Generally speaking, the statute of limitations is up after three years.

Posted by Statute of limitations on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 6:07 pm

Because it's an issue of judgment

Have you ever had someone try to grab you and make out with you when they're a bit tossed? Do you call the police? There's clearly a pattern here which goes to the judgment of the perpetrator - it's not an issue you press charges over.

Something many progressives seem to have difficult understanding is that the issue of judgment is critically important to a lawmaker. And in Davis' case - vitally important because he seems to show a longstanding pattern of disrespect towards women. Patterns aren't easy to change. In the case of Davis - he seems to have no interest in doing so.

Posted by Judgment on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 9:18 pm

A cease-and-desist letter,

A cease-and-desist letter, really? That sure rings like an admission of guilt. Why else would Julian Davis be that paranoid if he was innocent. Think about it. Also, keep in mind Kay is not the only one to come forward. Hats off to both of them for being brave enough to speak out.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 12:24 pm

If you read the article closely, it's clear

Posted by GuestTomC on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 12:26 pm

"A cease-and-desist letter,

"A cease-and-desist letter, really? That sure rings like an admission of guilt."

Way to jump to conclusions there TomC. Filing a cease-and-desist letter was to prevent further slander toward J. Davis. The event in question happened 6 years ago (during some bar hopping none-the-less) without any evidence what so ever. It's hearsay plain n' simple.

Posted by md2020 on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 7:26 pm

Guys, please un-endorse him.

Guys, please un-endorse him. Progressives have done great things for this city, and the Bay Guardian has been a champion for them. In the past few days we've seen the progressive movement take on this ridiculous anti-woman sheen. D5 has the chance to get progressivism back on track and you can help do it.

... and, whatever you do, do NOT endorse Christina Olague.

Posted by somers on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:25 pm

That guy is extra creepy.

That guy is extra creepy. It's not like he's going to win anyway.

Posted by Suan on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 12:43 pm

Just make sure you've heard ALL the facts from both parties

Just make sure you've heard ALL the facts from both parties before you make your decision. There is long history of Black men being FALSELY accused of this type of thing. So, get it straight. And remember that this is politics. So it could very well be a hit, as political realist points out. You know how that game gets played in SF.

INNOCENT until proven guilty!!

Posted by INNOCENT until proven guilty on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:33 pm

A commenter here warned about this on a number of occasions

Clearly you can't take everything written on an Internet column seriously - but this is no doubt what he/she was talking about.

Posted by Troll II on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:35 pm

Thank you Troll II.

Yes I did mention this several times over the last couple months. Thank you.

And for everyone else (except Tim and Steve who I'm pretty sure knew I was right at the time) let me offer a heartfelt I told you so. Where are you now "Political Realist"?

This was the worst kept secret in town and the Guardian's claims of ignorance are laughable.

Posted by Haven't we learned our lesson? on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 9:26 pm

I'm sorry no one took you seriously

For what it's worth. Often women's claims are discounted as being "hysterical" or in the case of progressives here - part of some giant conspiracy. It's shameful and wrong but in the end the old boy network in San Francisco, despite its prostrations to the contrary - remains intact.

Posted by Troll II on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 9:38 pm

Response to Troll re Julian Davis

That's right - SF Gate reported that Avalos knew about this months ago but that the alleged victim told him since Davis had apologized the endorsement would be OK. Women sometimes downplay their own victimization due to male disinterest and denial - especially in politics. Of course if this happened, it was six years ago, way before the Mirkarimi case and the current climate. Campos also withdrew his endorsement of Davis according to the media. If I were living in that district I would vote for Thea Selby who seems to be liberal, flexible and concerned about her district. The rest of the candidates are mired in various cans of SF worms or are connected with power brokers who even many mainstream voters are fed up with. Sick of City Hall!

Posted by Guest on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 9:55 am

How much did The Guardian know and when did they know it?

That's all I want to know - because if they knew and lied about it or dismissed it then it's serious. In the interest of healing and moving on after the Mirkarimi episode - we'd like to know.

Posted by Troll II on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:38 pm

What we knew

I'm happy to answer that. What we knew was that Julian could be a bit of an ass. We knew that several years ago he and another person got into a tugging match over who could hold the Mirkarimi For Sheriff sign at a rally (seriously -- stupid, childish, kindergarten shit). We had heard stories about him being overly flirtatious and coming on too strong to women who weren't interested.

We knew nothing about these much more serious allegations of groping. If we had we would never have endorsed him.

Posted by tim on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 8:40 pm

Fighting over a Mirkarimi for

Fighting over a Mirkarimi for Sheriff sign??? That doesn't sound like "several years ago". That would be last year! Sounds like he hasn't grown up at all.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 9:36 pm

Thanks Tim

I appreciate that.

You guys give a lot of weight to what someone says in an endorsement interview as well as the total of what you think you know about them as a progressive. But there's a compendium of evidence about a person's personality and their past actions which don't seem to have as much weight - but in many cases are AS or MORE important than the words they mouth.

But it's worth something that Tim answered my question. An endorsement isn't a jury but in the end it matters for something. In politics that's often more important.

Posted by Troll II on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 10:07 pm

Blinded by the possibility of a Progressive doing wrong

"There are none so blind as those who will not see. The most deluded people are those who choose to ignore what they already know." - Thomas Chalkley, 1713

"Our endorsement process is very thorough." - Tim Redmond, 2012

Posted by Troll on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 11:12 pm

I can't find any mention of this anywhere online

What are the allegations and by whom? I think you have a duty as a newspaper to spell it out. Otherwise, it certainly reads like a hit piece...from SFBG no less!

Posted by Ana on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:38 pm

Sorry, I was in shock when I first read this, missed the link

I still think the timing is suspect and the story should be thoroughly investigated before you withdraw your endorsement. I hope you won't let this swipe by SF Weekly guide your decision. You're better than that.

Posted by Ana on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:56 pm

Was it also a swipe

"John Avalos and David Campos Withdraw Endorsements of Julian Davis"

Posted by matlock on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:37 pm

You know in the article,

where the text is highlighted in red?

Posted by matlock on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:00 pm

Reading the comments

at SFweekly and here... anything that happens to a progressive that is bad is part of the conspiracy.

The far left and right really can't accept that their own side may have fellow traveler's that have personal failings.

It's all the fund Mirkirimi fund raising neighbour's fault, it's all the fault of a Daly volunteer who worked with said candidate.

And then the howling race theory.

Progressives you aim so high and hit so hilariously low.

Posted by matlock on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:47 pm

We need healing after the Mirkarimi mess

I'm most concerned about that - how we can further the process of coming together. This doesn't help that process in any way whatsoever. Regrettably we must deal with this as one city family.

Posted by Troll II on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:58 pm

I suppose you are correct

As a city family we need to come together to get to the bottom of these attacks on the city family. We need to heal the city body politic along tolerant cross cultural levels celebrating the diversity that comes with a uni-mind.

We the city family need to figure out why these people who are progressive supporters, like the Mirkarimi neighbour and the Daly worker joined the conspiracy!

Posted by matlock on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:33 pm

"We the city family need to

"We the city family need to figure out why these people who are progressive supporters, like the Mirkarimi neighbour and the Daly worker joined the conspiracy!"

What?? Because there IS no conspiracy. Sometimes when people see something wrong has been done, they feel compelled to speak out, "progressive supporter" or no. It's called "doing the right thing."

I'm a progressive supporter but if the so-called progressive movement leaders in this city were more concerned about actually creating an equitable, progressive city and standing up for that's right instead of blindly taking sides, this city would be a much better place. Progressive in name but not in action is empty.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 12:23 pm

Lucretia Snapples, I take it

Lucretia Snapples,

I take it this is a joke post considering all the other ridiculous, divisive and looney shit you've written on this site over the years.

This shit about "needing a healing" and "coming together as one city family." LOL. Oh give it a rest. No one believes that coming from Ms Divisive herself and some of the most hateful things you've written. Some of your hateful suggestions have even approach what would be a felony, if not worse.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:49 pm

Right. Troll II does everything in her power to cause division

Right. Troll II does everything in her power to cause division and strife now wants to hold hands and sing kumbaya.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:53 pm

Don't you ever get tired of listening to yourself?

You say the exact same thing over and over, day after day, year in and year out. You're not a Matlock, you're a Meme-lock. Really, that should be your true name.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 4:59 pm

Why are many of you all so

predictable.

It couldn't be that the guy gets drunk and is a groper?

It was hard for many republicans to swallow that around poor persecuted Bob Packwood.

Posted by matlock on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:35 pm

Leave it to matlock to worm-in some mendacity.

I am certainly not prepared to conceed that Bob Packwood's story has the least bit of relevance to Julian Davis, but even if such were the case, any irony would be diffused due to the fact that Packwood attacked women who were on his office payroll.

Posted by lillipublicans on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 11:49 pm

Not healing words

You must not "concede" anything lilli - you must only try and heal the painful wounds which have riven the body politic over the past year.

Please - try and heal.

Posted by Troll II on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 12:22 am

i was a Clinton fan

and still am.

At a certain point his love of pussy was just ridiculous. At a certain point I could no longer try and process things as the fault of the enemy. Clinton loved pussy and he kept getting busted for his past love of pussy. I never became a whiny apologist.

I never looked for these tiny mitigating whines as to why Clinton's love of pussy was not as bad as other people's love of pussy.

Lilli, you are pathetic, again.

Posted by matlock on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 5:29 pm

If Clinton doubled down on

If Clinton doubled down on Reagan's vision and set the table for 2007's crash, and is a serial groper, didn't they call them "bimbo eruptions" back in 1992--then why is he still a major figure viewed favorably by the Democrat faithful that professes such a zero tolerance policy on the war on women?

Between DV and groping, it looks like we've entered into a political economy that is solely denominated by the level of Victorian prudish outrage one can demonstrate against conduct that falls at the bounds of but well within the norms of human conduct. I'd prefer to set the razor of the law such that the benefit of the reasonable doubt went to the individuals involved than one which curtailed lesser conduct by casting a wide fundamentalist net.

Sexual harassment by a boss in a work environment is different than contact with a colleague after hours at a social event. Beaning your wife twice with a pint glass is different than leaving a bruise on an arm during a family altercation.

Liberals and progressives have cornered themselves by giving their opponents tools that work quite effectively to neutralize them politically when in the hands of their opponents who ignore similar conduct on the part of their allies.

We have to evaluate whether, according to the Guardian's endorsement logic, the damage of a single groping can be balanced against the economic consequences of what the SFBG would call a rubber stamp for the mayor. These consequences will play out against families most of which include women.

Yeah it all sucks, yeah, it is all bad. But there is a political weapon in play that is a single edged sword and is being used to stoke outrage to distract from economic corruption.

Posted by marcos on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 7:05 pm

You know what? You are correct.

I don't overly care that dude is a groper, I might vote for him if Hitler was running. I do find it comical that he is a "progressive" male feminist.

I don't think this behaviour it is a progressive trait though, it is a trait more likely with people who want to be, politicians, actors, reporters, newscasters, musicians etc... People who want to be the centaur of attention.

People have personal failings that might well have nothing to do with their job.

Posted by matlock on Oct. 16, 2012 @ 8:25 pm

Groping doesn't count when a

Groping doesn't count when a Progessive does it!

Julian was just being proactive when he threatened the woman with a lawsuit!

Posted by Demented, Yet Terribly, Terribly Persistent on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:04 pm

political ads on SFBG

It's strange to read this article while a Julian Davis campaign ad is streaming across the top of your website.

Posted by The Commish on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:08 pm

Seems like Tim has selective curiosity

"Redmond called to say that "until this weekend, all I was aware of about Julian Davis was a bunch of low-level rumors reaching the level of junior high school stuff."

Wait...where was that legendary Redmond journalistic curiosity?

Do you mean that there might be low level rumors about improper behavior by Ed Lee, Mark Farrell or Scott Weiner and Tim won't move a single muscle to find out more about them? Would he wait until the bad stuff hit the fan from another source?

Or does he only shut down his curiosity when it might lead to damming news about a Progressive?

Just another example of why it is totally improper for the Examiner/SFBG to label Redmond as a real journalist

Posted by Troll on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:09 pm

The first comment on the hit piece at SFWeekly is instructive

The first comment on the hit piece at SFWeekly is instructive. Merlonius says,

"Just did a little research. Kay Vasilyeva is endorsement chair for SFWPC, which endorsed Julian's opponent, London Breed. Hmmm....."

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:09 pm

These allegations are 6 years old & 3 weeks before the election!

Awfully fishy. If it walks like a hit, smells like a hit, then in all likelihood, it IS a hit.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:20 pm

I'm standing with Julian

"Months earlier, Vasilyeva had privately expressed concerns regarding Davis to multiple progressive leaders. All of them, however, went on to endorse the candidate."

Endorse him, as you should have.

This is a private matter, and personal matter. It has no business in the political realm.

I'm standing with Julian

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:26 pm

Troll II, glad to hear you're standing with Julian

But it appears that progressive leaders are backing off with their endorsements.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:46 pm

Ross needs to step forward, endorse Julian

This smells like another right-wing Willie Brown/Ed Lee strategy to take down progressives.

Somebody starts floating rumors about an ALLEGED sexual harrasment issue, and suddently the our leftwing friends cower in fear.

The Brown/Lee machine started this because it knows we are sensitive now to any issues dealing with violence against women.

Ross Mirkarimi should step forward now and vigorously endorse Julian, his progressive successor in District 5.

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:34 pm

Troll II, happy to hear you support Ross

But I don't think Julian needs his endorsement

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 6:00 pm

Ross Mirkaweenie wouldn't

Ross Mirkaweenie wouldn't piss on someone if they were on fire, especially if they are progressive. he's a political hog, devoted to his own ego and will bitch slap anyone that dares suggest he isn't 120% perfect at all times. He's Dear Leader with no vision, power, or usefulness. He's happy to let other progressives rot.

After all, Chavez-esque "progressives" like the sweetie pie Campos and the farmhand Avalos have....they could all give two craps about anyone but their own maniacal ambition as they use government money to evolve from poverty, unlike those who WORK for a living!

Dead progressives, comin' through! Guardian too!

Posted by the Ross do something for no one on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 7:30 pm

Will Matt Gonzalez withdraw his endorsement too?

And what about Peskin?

Posted by Guest on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 5:41 pm

Not so cool

The Guardian (with male editorial management) and the male leadership of the progressives seem to be on the wrong side of Women’s issues in this city.
First forgiving Mirkarimi (who had a well known history for abusing employees and general arrogance) and now Davis who it appears had a know history for inappropriate behavior and arrogance.
Way to go San Francisco

Posted by Chris Pratt on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 6:18 pm

a well timed hit planted by

a well timed hit planted by Olague campaign staff, and their allies. no proof (unlike convict sheriff ross) , no nothing. validated by the crappy endorsement Jones wrote for the BG, which set off the investigation.

Tim, you got played so hard, Willie and Rose are laughing all the way to the bank. When Olague wins, she'll be a reliable vote at things that matter. Meanwhile you and Jones clapped like trained seals over the damned Mirkiarimi vote.

By the time things are over, the progressive movement will be done. We'll have to wait for another 2000 in about 10 years to set things back to balance, in the meantime the Guardian won't exist and progressive voters will be gentrified out by Ron Conway and his tech minions. You really fucked this all up.

Posted by SFBG gets played again on Oct. 15, 2012 @ 6:21 pm