Ross Mirkarimi's Wife Attends Anti-Ross Mirkarimi Rally

By Joe Eskenazi Thu., Jan. 12 2012 at 3:16 PM

Categories: Breaking News, Government, Politics

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Luke Thomas, Fog City Journal

Eliana Lopez, Ross Mirkarimi's wife, stands with domestic violence activists calling for her husband to resign due to allegations he domestically abused her

A hastily assembled press conference pairing members of the media with greater numbers of anti-domestic violence advocates calling for the resignation of Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi was graced by an odd visitation -- Mirkarimi's wife.

Eliana Lopez stood, literally, on the steps of City Hall with members of the domestic violence community who were calling for her husband to resign over allegations he abused Lopez on New Year's Eve. Where she stood with them figuratively is unknown -- Lopez has publicly stated she "has no complaint" against her husband and, somewhat bafflingly, said accusations of domestic violence were "taken out of context."

Lopez, somewhat less recognizable due to her oversized sunglasses, stood behind the demonstrators for several minutes before walking into City Hall. She confirmed her identity to SF Weekly. Asked "what do you make of all this?" she replied "What do I make?" before politely continuing "I have no comment. Sorry."

Her presence certainly didn't appear to be part of the near-impromptu script. Organizer Beverly Upton, the executive director of the Domestic Violence Consortium, took pains to introduce every last member of the domestic violence community present -- a throng that equaled, or exceeded, the gathered members of the press. Lopez was not introduced.

Luke Thomas, Fog City Journal

Eliana Lopez declined to discuss why she attended today's rally

Upton and her allies' call for Mirkarimi to resign appeared to be inspired by his downplaying an accusation of domestic violence -- in which a police report has been filed -- as "a private matter, a family matter." This was seen as potentially more troublesomethan the allegation itself -- at this point.

"It is egregious that the term 'family matter' has been applied to a legal matter and an issue of public safety," Upton said. "It is egregious that the neighbor who reported this has been called 'out of line.'"

Upton noted that "the system" will "figure out the piece about charges." District Attorney George Gascón has not yet announced any charges against the sheriff. He may do so as soon as tomorrow -- or next week, or not at all.

Asked if she trusted Gascón to do his due diligence, Upton replied in the affirmative -- but noted "we want to keep the pressure on."

Upton, incidentally, had been tabbed as a member of Mirkarimi's "transition team" -- which she noted "never met."

Perhaps it will never have to.

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