An affordable housing complex named after the Black Panther Party, and run by the party’s former leader, is suing San Francisco police, claiming a raid there earlier this year was illegal.
The raid occurred on May 21 at The Black Panther Apartments in West Oakland. The federal civil rights lawsuit claims around 20 SFPD officers in plain clothes and unmarked cars broke through the front door without properly identifying themselves or showing a search warrant.
The lawsuit claims when the building’s security guard asked for a search warrant, he was arrested, though charges were dismissed. When the building manager asked to see the warrant, the suit alleged officers pushed her and then searched a fifth-floor apartment.
“Male officers used force against me and this building, pushing me out of the elevator, not showing a warrant when was asked, they refused to wait. This is not how our community should be treated,” resident manager Misty Cross said.
The suit claims the warrant was not produced until after the search. It accuses San Francisco police of unlawful search and arrest, excessive force and other constitutional violations. Building co-owner and former Black Panther Leader Elaine Brown believes they were targeted.
“Absolutely, I think it’s not just a name, it’s also the spirit that this is trying to resurrect in terms of self-determination and build that back out in our community,” she said.
Police had already arrested an 18-year-old man near the complex before the search, saying he was a suspect in two armed robberies. San Francisco and Oakland police unions said at the time he was associated with the building.
The lawsuit also claims officers had the building under surveillance for about a month through the building’s Wi-Fi.
The complex opened in 2024 as affordable housing for low-income and formerly incarcerated residents.
The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office says it will review the complaint once it’s served and respond in court. SFPD declined to comment.