Hundreds of protesters march around Super Bowl City over homeless crisis
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Just steps away from Super Bowl City, hundreds of protesters hit the streets in San Francisco to call attention to the city's homeless crisis.
WATCH VIDEO: SF homeless advocates protest taxpayer money spent on Super Bowl City
Protesters did not disrupt the activities inside Super Bowl City, but the evening commute slowed down to a crawl as they marched around it. At the Transbay Terminal buses were backlogged for more than an hour.
With San Francisco police officers alongside them, the protesters marched holding up signs against San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and holding tents up in the air with messages written on them.
Protester Eileen Torrez told ABC7 News, "What we're really about is advocating for the rights of homeless people. We hope they can hear us a little bit, we've been screaming all night."
They caught the attention of people eating at nearby restaurants or working out at a nearby gym.
WATCH VIDEO: I-Team: Super Bowl puts strain on homeless in San Francisco
Homeless advocates are upset an estimated $5 million in taxpayer money is being spent on Super Bowl events in the city.
Protester David Gemigniani said, "This city has much bigger priorities than putting on this fiasco."
READ MORE: San Francisco supervisors clash over Super Bowl money
Inside Super Bowl City, people enjoyed a concert with Matt Nathanson who brought out big fans.
Some of the homeless might be persuaded to move into a 150-bed shelter at Pier 80 that could open on Thursday. Trent Rhorer, the director of the San Francisco Department of Human Services, says it's not an attempt to hide the homeless rather an effort to protect them from the coming storms.
READ MORE: San Francisco city leaders: Super Bowl is worst deal ever
"We're talking about the most vulnerable San Franciscans, many of whom have been on the street for a number of years, we need to get them in doors irrespective of whether there's a Super Bowl," Rhorer said.
And the Homeless Coalition believes some people will go, but hopes a protest with the world watching will lead to more permanent solutions.
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