SAN FRANCISCO – DAVIES SYMPHONY HALL
Lee Heidhues – 5.24.2024
Wednesday night Liz and I went to Davies Symphony Hall to see the film Gladiator accompanied by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and chorus. We had marvelous Box seats. It was our first trip to the building since 2018. We were scheduled to attend the Symphony on April 12, 2018. We never made it. That was the day Liz was subjected to the first of two brutal false citizen’s arrests. Liz was handcuffed and transported to Jail. Only to be released after I posted 20K cash bail.
The crowd at sold out Davies Hall cheered and applauded Gladiator throughout the performance of the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra and Choir. Particularly when Russell Crowe (Maximus) turned to confront a visibly shocked Joaquin Phoenix (Commodus) in the Roman Colosseum and uttered the classic line, “I will have my vengeance in this Life or the Next.”
This false citizen’s arrest devastated Liz and changed both our lives forever. This false arrest was dismissed by San Francisco Superior Court two weeks later “In the Interest of Justice (PC section 1385)”. The devastation continued when Liz was, again, the subject of a second false citizen’s arrest on February 8, 2020. A false citizen’s arrest which was “Discharged” by the District Attorney days later. Nonetheless, the damage was done and long lasting.
It was a momentous evening filled with bitter memories to return to Davies Hall. Particularly being able to watch, again, one of our favorite movies of all time. A story of a wronged man, whose life has been destroyed, fighting for Justice.
The San Francisco Symphony and choir made Gladiator all the more exciting. Accentuating the riveting dialogue and action scenes during the two hour 35 minute opus.
May 22nd is Harvey Milk’s birthday. The San Francisco Supervisor who was assassinated along with Mayor George Moscone across the street from Davies Hall in City Hall in November 1978. Wednesday was nearly 45 years to the day of the May 21, 1979 White Night Riots. San Franciscans marched on the seat of San Francisco government and engaged authorities in a ferocious riot. Following the light sentence handed down by the jury in the trial of the assassin. Former Supervisor Dan White.
Lee's Perspective 