Nov. 27 marks the 45th anniversary of the historic assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. These momentous murders were perpetrated by Dan White, a fellow Supervisor. The deaths of the former mayor and supervisor sparked the “White Night Riots” in San Francisco. 

White was expelled from ARHS in his junior year for violence, as reported in the new book Double Play: The Hidden Passions Behind the Double Assassination of George Moscone and Harvey Milk. He moved to Woodrow Wilson High School (now known as  Phillip and Sala Burton High school) where he graduated as valedictorian. 

From here, White served in the Vietnam war, became a police officer, then a firefighter, until he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977 through his SFFD connections. He represented district 8, which at the time, was a more conservative portion of southeast SF.

Diana Assereto, ARHS Dean of Academics, participated in a White campaign volunteer opportunity in the fifth grade. She recalled, “I think there was a camp of firefighters, police officers and working class people that identified with him and his family.” 

She added, “They were working class and came from immigrant families.”

White’s time on the board saw controversy and decisiveness. He was often in opposing beliefs with both Moscone and Milk, who had passed a gay rights ordinance in San Francisco along with prohibiting the city from anti-gay discrimination. In the case of the San Francisco gay rights ordinance, White was notably against the issue.

White’s new salary in office wasn’t nearly as much as he earned in his days on the force, so financial costs caused him to resign shortly after; however, he received loans to be able to remain in power. 

It was nonetheless too late for him to return, as board members on the liberal leaning side, including Milk, had lobbied Moscone to finalize his resignation.

Reportedly angered at his inability to regain his seat on the Board of Supervisors, White shot and killed Moscone and Milk in their offices, and turned himself in to the police precinct where he used to work.

Board of Supervisors President Dianne Feinstein was tasked with the grim job of announcing the news to the city, and notably said, “As president of the Board of Supervisors, it’s my duty to make this announcement: Both Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk have been shot and killed.” 

In the video, reporters and others who had gathered around can be heard gasping in horror. 

She then added, “The suspect is Supervisor Dan White.”