Vandalism at gay, Jewish-owned cafe investigated as hate crime, SFPD says

Vandalism at a cafe in San Francisco’s Mission neighborhood owned by a gay Jewish man is being investigated as a hate crime, according to police. 

Manny Yekutiel’s eponymous cafe, Manny’s, at 3092 16th Street, was vandalized with antisemitic and anti-Israel graffiti – including one that reads “the only good settler is a dead 1.”

The incident came amid protests against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in Los Angeles and President Donald Trump that also embroiled San Francisco June 9.

It’s the second time in 12 months this has happened. Last October, the business was also tagged amid a protest one year after the October 7, 2023 attacks at the outset of the latest Israel-Hamas war.

“It looks like they did go inside when they broke the second window,” Yekutiel told the Bay Area Reporter in a June 10 phone call, though he added that nothing was stolen from inside the business.

“It’s saddening,” he said. “It’s a manifestation of the hatred we’re seeing permeate our whole country right now. … We should be united against hatred, united against Trump and united against fascism.”

A GoFundMe has been set up to help with repairs and security upgrades. Yekutiel has raised $27,239 of a $100,000 goal on GoFundMe as of 3 p.m. June 10. The GoFundMe states urgent repairs and security measures are needed for the cafe and event space. 

In the meantime, it is still hosting planned events. Organizers of a discussion between gay Assemblymember Corey A. Jackson, Ph.D., (D-Perris), the first out gay Black man elected to the California Legislature, and Otis Taylor Jr., managing editor at KQED, San Francisco’s public broadcast station, being presented by statewide LGBTQ rights organization Equality California told the B.A.R. that it will take place as scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 12. 

Yekutiel said the incident was ironic, since he was at a protest himself earlier that day. Protests have flared up as ICE has become more aggressive in its tactics, targeting undocumented people for deportation who haven’t been charged with crimes, and amid policies allowing the agency to target people at courthouses, schools, and churches.

In response to protests, mostly in Los Angeles, Trump federalized the California National Guard – the first time that has happened over the objections of a governor since desegregation. Trump then said California Governor Gavin Newsom should be arrested, though he did not give a crime of which he says Newsom is guilty. Trump also said he ordered U.S. Marines to respond to Los Angeles.

As a result, protests took place in San Francisco on Sunday and Monday nights. 

SFPD Public Information Officer Eve Laokwansathitaya stated to the B.A.R. that officers “were notified that multiple individuals were vandalizing businesses in the area.”

“Officers responded to a business located on the 3000 block of 16th Street and observed graffiti to the business and a broken window,” Laokwansathitaya stated. “At this time the vandalism is being investigated as a hate crime. This kind of vandalism to our local businesses is unacceptable. 

“We are in communication with the business owner and gathering additional details and evidence to assist in the investigation,” she added. “No arrests have been made at this time.”

Yekutiel, a former member of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency board, has floated running for office. He  lately has spearheaded events in San Francisco such as the Castro Night Market and Downtown First Thursdays . 

He noted that, “There’s been a lot of violence against Jews in this country lately. It’s sad.”

Indeed, the Anti-Defamation League reported instances of anti-Jewish harassment, vandalism, and assault skyrocketed from the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict to September 2024 increased 140%, which the group called a "totally unprecedented number." 

In recent weeks, Jews were attacked at an event advocating for the release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in Boulder, Colorado, and two Israeli embassy staffers were killed in Washington, D.C.

Yekutiel specifically has faced criticism in the past for his support for Israel, to which his father immigrated from Afghanistan, as the B.A.R. previously reported.  

Gay state Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who is also Jewish, posted about the vandalism, stating, “Another major example of antisemitism targeting a Jewish-owned business in the Mission. Manny’s has been targeted for years because the owner is Jewish. And now this vandalism calls for the death of Jews. Antisemitism spans the political spectrum. And it’s always toxic & dangerous. It has to stop.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the SFPD at 415-575-4444 or text a tip to TIP411 and begin the message with SFPD.