On January 8, 2025, In the midday, Daniel Lurie, the newly elected mayor of San Francisco, was officially sworn in as the 46th mayor at the Civic Center Plaza, promising to decisively address issues such as drug abuse, homelessness, fiscal deficits, and revitalize the city center.
The inauguration ceremony commenced at noon under the warm winter sun, with a full house witnessing this historic moment, including numerous current and former elected officials at the city, state, and national levels.
Amidst applause and cheers, Mayor Lurie solemnly touched the Constitution as he completed the oath:
“I, Daniel Lurie, solemnly swear – I will support and defend the United States Constitution and the California Constitution, resist all enemies, foreign and domestic; I will faithfully uphold the commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the California Constitution; I will assume this responsibility freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; I will faithfully perform the duties I am about to take on, as the mayor and representative of the city of San Francisco.”
Following the ceremony, Mayor Lurie took a deep breath and said, “Let me pause for a moment and savor this moment!” He mentioned it was a suggestion made by former Mayor London Breed an hour ago.
In his speech, Mayor Lurie first expressed gratitude to his family and extended condolences to the residents of Southern California affected by wildfires. He mentioned the dispatch of a team by former Mayor Breed and the San Francisco Fire Department to Southern California, expressing well-wishes and deep concern.
He admitted, “I ran for mayor not as a politician, but as a father who cannot explain everything seen on the streets to my children.”
Reflecting on visiting the neonatal intensive care unit at San Francisco General Hospital last month, where he witnessed infants struggling due to exposure to fentanyl, Mayor Lurie underscored the necessity for recovery to become not only possible but also a “must be our mission.”
Facing nearly 8,000 homeless individuals in the city, Mayor Lurie vowed to treat the fentanyl crisis as a legitimate emergency and a “long-term policy of this administration,” stating that the San Francisco Police Department and Sheriff’s Department are swiftly adjusting resources and personnel to apprehend drug traffickers and clean up the streets.
He announced the implementation of a state of emergency ordinance to more effectively concentrate resources, combat drug trafficking. Additionally, he declared the opening of the first 24-hour police-friendly drop-off center this spring and granting the police authority to constrain those who refuse help.
Regarding the city’s future, Mayor Lurie emphasized revitalizing the city center, unveiling the establishment of the SFPD Hospitality Zone Task Force to create a safer and more welcoming environment for workers, shoppers, and tourists in Union Square, Market Street, and the Moscone Center area.
He also planned to establish a unified public dashboard for street conditions, enhance interdepartmental cooperation, improve efficiency, and rebuild citizen trust in the city government. “I mean the kind of collaboration: avoiding one department repairing a street, while another department digs it up again two weeks later.”
He pledged to promote housing construction for all income levels within the first 100 days in office and streamline the permit process for new businesses and constructions, putting an end to the era where “restaurants needed 40 inspections and received 50 different answers.”
He stated that the city government will collaborate with local artists, businesses, and the tourism industry to make the city center “once again a world-class event and tourism destination.” His goal is to make San Francisco a place where people are willing to return to work and a city suitable for spending time with family and friends.
“I guarantee you, there will be no layoffs for police officers, 911 operators, emergency medical personnel, firefighters, and nurses,” Mayor Lurie thanked and pledged to support frontline workers, adding, “We will spare no effort to fully supplement the staff of the police department, sheriff’s department, and 911 emergency team and provide them with retention incentives.”
Mayor Lurie candidly acknowledged the unprecedented budget deficit, stating that overspending cannot continue, and fiscal realities cannot be avoided. Painful decisions must be made by the city government and cooperation with non-profit organizations is essential to enhance the efficiency of city services.
Subsequently, Mayor Lurie quoted Harvey Milk, saying, “You got to give people hope – hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow.” However, he emphasized that hope alone is not enough; action is also necessary. He called on citizens to work hand in hand with the government to rebuild San Francisco as one of the greatest cities in the world.
In conclusion, he urged, “Now is the time to roll up our sleeves and start working together – let us embrace the era of responsibility and change.”
The swearing-in ceremony was officiated by Jessie A. Peterson, a California public defender attorney, breaking tradition as the oaths of the former San Francisco mayors were usually administered by the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.
Mayor Lurie’s wife, Becca Prowda, introduced that over ten years ago, Jessie courageously shared her story at the “Tipping Point Community” founded by Lurie. She was forcibly separated from her biological parents at only two weeks old but found love and stability with her foster mother Patty, ultimately graduating with honors from the University of San Francisco School of Law, becoming the first college graduate in her family. Today, she works in the Office of the State Public Defender, devoted to protecting the constitutional rights of others. Becca praised Jessie as a true testament to service and community strength.
Moreover, the ceremony was led by several students from the San Francisco Unified School District, with remarks from NBA Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr. Various local representative groups performed at the event, including the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco all-Services Color Guard, Leung’s White Crane Dragon Lion Dance Association, Chinese Chamber of Commerce, and Chinese New Year’s Parade Dragon.