A shocking video of a San Francisco gallery owner spraying water from a hose at a homeless woman has gone viral, sparking outrage and condemnation from the public and the media. The video, which was captured by the owner of a nearby bakery, shows the gallery owner, Collier Gwin, confronting the woman outside his gallery, Foster Gwin, and then using a garden hose to douse her with water.
The incident, which occurred in January 2023, has ignited a debate about the treatment of homeless people in San Francisco, a city that is known for its wealth and innovation, but also for its homelessness and inequality. According to the latest official count, there are over 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco, a number that has increased by 17% since 2019. Many of them live on the streets, in tents, or in shelters, facing harsh conditions and discrimination.
The Gallery Owner’s Explanation and Defence
Collier Gwin, who has owned Foster Gwin Gallery since 1989, admitted that he was the man in the video, but defended his actions, saying that he was trying to protect his property and his business. He told the San Francisco Chronicle that the homeless woman had been causing trouble outside his gallery for several days, knocking over rubbish bins, blocking the entrance, and harassing customers and staff.
Gwin said that he had tried to talk to the woman and offer her help, but she had refused to cooperate and had become aggressive and abusive. He said that he had called the police several times, but they had not responded or had arrived too late. He said that he had resorted to using the hose as a last resort, to make the woman move away from his gallery.
Gwin refused to apologise for his behaviour, saying that he had done nothing wrong and that he had acted in self-defence. He said that he was not against homeless people, but that he had a right to run his business and to keep his gallery clean and safe. He said that he had received threats and insults from some people who had seen the video, but that he had also received support and sympathy from others who understood his situation.
The Public and Media’s Reaction and Criticism
The video of Gwin spraying the homeless woman with water quickly spread on social media and online platforms, generating millions of views and thousands of comments. Many people expressed their anger and disgust at Gwin’s actions, calling him cruel, heartless, and inhumane. They said that he had violated the woman’s dignity and rights, and that he had shown a lack of empathy and compassion for her plight.
Some people compared Gwin’s actions to those of the police officers who had used water cannons against civil rights protesters in the 1960s, or to those of the apartheid regime in South Africa, which had used water hoses to disperse anti-apartheid demonstrators. They said that Gwin’s actions were indicative of the systemic racism and classism that pervaded San Francisco and the US, and that they reflected the growing gap between the rich and the poor in the city.
Many people also criticised the police and the city authorities for their failure to address the homelessness crisis in San Francisco, and for their lack of support and resources for homeless people. They said that the police had neglected their duty to protect and serve the homeless woman, and that the city had failed to provide adequate housing, health care, and social services for homeless people. They said that the city needed to adopt a more humane and effective approach to solving the homelessness problem, and to respect the dignity and rights of homeless people.
The Homeless Woman’s Story and Perspective
The homeless woman who was sprayed with water by Gwin has not been identified or interviewed by the media, but some details about her story and perspective have emerged from other sources. According to the owner of the bakery who filmed the video, the woman’s name is Lisa, and she is 47 years old. She said that Lisa had been homeless for about two years, after losing her job and her apartment.
The bakery owner said that Lisa had been sleeping outside the gallery for a few days, because it was close to a soup kitchen and a public restroom. She said that Lisa had not been violent or disruptive, but that she had been suffering from mental health issues and substance abuse. She said that Lisa had been scared and confused when Gwin had sprayed her with water, and that she had cried and screamed for help.
The bakery owner said that she had tried to help Lisa and to calm her down, but that Gwin had told her to mind her own business and to leave them alone. She said that she had felt sorry for Lisa and angry at Gwin, and that she had decided to film the incident and to share it online, to expose Gwin’s cruelty and to raise awareness about the homelessness issue. She said that she hoped that Lisa would get the help and the justice that she deserved, and that Gwin would face the consequences of his actions.
