• Soft Opening: Tuesday, September 7, 2021 from 11am to 7pm
• Grand reception opening: Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 2pm to 8pm
• Free Admission
• Main Gallery, Inti Raymi Gallery (Second Floor)
• Gallery hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 11am to 7pm

In 1981 the San Francisco Lowrider Council was founded by Roberto Y. Hernandez to unite lowrider clubs, solo riders, and the community to organize to resist the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) selective enforcement forbidding cruzin on Mission Street, in El Barrio De La MiSiON in San Francisco.

The shutting down the streets, enforcing martial law, using violent aggressive force and the target arrest of young Latinos was considered racist and unconstitutional acts.

After suffering 113 arrests and brutality beaten several times by the SFPD, Roberto Y. Hernández, along with several others community members, cruised right into court filing a Federal Civil Right lawsuit against the City San Francisco, SFPD, Mayor Dianne Feinstein and the Police Commission seeking justice to end their racist discrimination!

Eventually the lawsuit forced the removal of several officers and command staff from the SFPD Mission Police Station, the end using the Mission community as a training ground for police academy recruits and paved the way for the building of RAZA Park and Mission Recreation Center and the right to cruise on Mission Street.

The San Francisco Lowrider Council resistance movement has continued over the decades in solid support of social justice campaigns, including: the United Farm Workers, Our Mission No Eviction, Close the Camps, Free the Children, Immigration Reform, Police Reform, Black Lives Matter & Justice for Alex Nieto. In response to the 2020 with the COVID-19 virus, the council’s membership volunteers at the Mission Food Hub which provides 7,000 Latino families who’ve been impacted the hardest by the pandemic with groceries weekly basis.

Throughout the past 40 years the council has raised funds for schools, organizations, sport teams and hosts several annual events including the Bendicion de Los Carros, Tribute to SELENA Cruise, Cesar Chavez Day Parade & Festival, Cinco De Mayo Car Show, leads the Carnaval San Francisco Grand Parade, KING of the STREET Hopping Competition & Cruise, Calle 24 Fiesta & Cold Frisco Nights.

The San Francisco Lowrider Council has had the honor to participate and be featured in the many films, music videos, documentaries and civic events including the Championship Parades for the Golden State WARRIORS, San Francisco GIANTS & San Francisco 49ers and the Golden Gate Bridge 75 th Anniversary.

The San Francisco Lowrider Council 40th Anniversary exhibit at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts showcases the history of lowrider resistance and the art form, a mix of photos, news articles, posters, hydraulics, pedal cars, jackets, shirts, plaques and bikes!

Roberto “FLY” Hernandez
Founder & President