Chris Larsen’s San Francisco mansion targeted by surveillance protesters

A coalition of over 20 immigrant rights groups, climate organizers, and other activists protested at the San Francisco mansion of cryptocurrency billionaire Chris Larsen. The demonstration is part of the ‘National Week of Action Against Automated License Plate Readers.’

Protesters erected dummy yellow cardboard cameras and posted pink signs near Larsen’s home to criticize his support for Flock Safety surveillance technology. Activists, including organizers from the Sunrise Movement Bay Area, have accused Larsen of investing heavily in San Francisco’s surveillance systems and questioned the effectiveness of these cameras in reducing crime rates.

Concerns regarding mass surveillance are rising across California. Data indicates there are more than 117,000 automated license plate readers from Flock Safety across the United States, with over 16,000 located in California. San Francisco County currently ranks third nationally for the number of cameras per road mile.