2016, The first 415 Day, Dolores Park

The first 415 Day was held at Dolores Park and the choice of location was intentional.

Dolores Park had long been a gathering place for Latinos, Black, and Italian communities of the Mission District, a meet-up spot for generations of students from Mission High School just across the street, and a stage for political rallies, Aztec ceremonies, and Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

But by 2016, the tech boom and wave of newcomers had transformed the park into a sunbathing and day-drinking destination for YIMBYs and transplants, slowly erasing the culture that had defined it for decades.

Reclaiming Dolores Park on April 15th was a statement. Organizers spent at least two weeks building buzz on social media using a leaderless/leaderful model, but kept the location under wraps, revealing it only the night before. They secured donations of healthy food and drinks to share with everyone who showed up.

Social media post for the first 415 Day

On April 15th, around 3pm, Frisco natives descended on the park in their finest Frisco gear, and by 4:15pm, hundreds of people erupted in cheers as Equipto's "Heart and Soul" blared across the grass. The leaderless/leaderful organizing model born that day became the blueprint for planning the next seven 415 Days.