Since 22-year-old Sean Monterrosa was killed by a Vallejo police officer in 2020, his sisters, Michelle and Ashley, have been working tirelessly to keep his name alive. For five years, they’ve been using their grief to fuel a movement to end police violence through policy advocacy and culture.
On Saturday, July 12, the Monterrosa sisters will honor their brother with Tucan’s Day, a celebration that offers a space to gather, grieve and get connected to healing services. The free, family-friendly block party takes place on Sean Monterrosa Boulevard — named after him in 2024 — in San Francisco’s Bernal Heights neighborhood, where Monterrosa, whose nickname was Tucan, grew up.
Performing at the event is Qing Qi, a multifaceted MC who can spit raunchy bars just as easily as she waxes poetic about gentrification; legendary turntablist DJ Quest; Sazón Libre, a DJ crew that throws some of the most lit Latin parties in the city; and music collective The 45s.
The San Francisco Public Library will be at the event with free books, and Oakland’s Freedom Community Clinic will provide free wellness services. Other community partners include Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ), which provides internships and fellowships for formerly incarcerated young adults and youth who’ve been impacted by the carceral and foster-care systems.
