Collier Gwin, owner of San Francisco art gallery Foster-Gwin Art & Antiques, has been arrested after a video of him spraying a homeless woman with a hose went viral in early January. Gwin turned his hose on the woman after allegedly asking her repeatedly to move from in front of his store. Gwin faced backlash after publicly defending his actions, and refusing to apologize.
BREAKING: San Francisco art gallery owner arrested@BrookeJenkinsSF issued warrant. Collier Gwin will be charged with misdemeanor battery for the alleged intentional and unlawful spraying of water on and around a woman experiencing homelessness. https://t.co/kg2uAVQdtZ pic.twitter.com/z54nvMQU6R
— Betty Yu (@BettyKPIX) January 19, 2023
This is horrible. This awful man is spraying a homeless woman down with a hose. You can hear her yell “Help Me!”
— (((BrokeAssStuart))) (@BrokeAssStuart) January 10, 2023
Does anyone recognize him? Is he affiliated with Barbarossa Lounge? This is inhumane and inexcusable.
Shout out to @briochessf for posting the video. pic.twitter.com/3ZKeRP4gar
Gwin was charged with misdemeanor battery “for the alleged intentional and unlawful spraying of water on and around a woman experiencing homelessness,” and faces up to six months and a fine of $2,000 if convicted. Despite the woman choosing not to press charges, prosecutors believe the video evidence will be enough to proceed.
The original video struck a societal nerve, and many people came out in support of both parties.
How could anyone treat another human being this way. Where is the compassion. One day that could be him, suffering and misfortune. Nobody is invincible. Be kind.
— Saira Tanner (@SairaTanner) January 11, 2023
Is it affecting his business?
— Vaughan (@TheVNilson) January 11, 2023
If so, as long as he asked her to move first and she refused I’m ok with it
Some even called for Gwin's arrest, and it seems as if their requests have been answered.
This is assault. He needs to be arrested
— Anon_vivant (@Anon_vivant) January 10, 2023
As with the initial incident, reactions to the arrest are divided.
So glad that terrible man got arrested! He hurt that poor homeless person and enjoyed doing it! Glad he's off the street!
— Karin Charmley.#BIDEN/HARRIS (@TazKHC) January 19, 2023
I love how SF is more pro-homeless than pro-small business. Makes complete sense. Will really payoff in long run.
— Rich (@puckit77) January 19, 2023
Many people were left not knowing what to think, and feeling sympathy for both sides.
I don’t know what the best course of action would be here. I can empathize with both parties here.
— Travis (@trvsbricker) January 19, 2023
Seriously? Issue the warrant and let him appear. We could have used those officers in my neighborhood today instead!
— daetienne (@daetienne2) January 19, 2023
In one sense it's fair he got arrested. In another sense, the police helped caused this by doing nothing about a homeless person camped outside his store ruining his business.
— Francis Santora️ (@FrancisPSantora) January 19, 2023
Plenty of blame to go around.
Sad on so many levels
— Tundra V1 (@tundra_v1) January 19, 2023
Arresting this guy doesn’t seem like it fixes the underlying issues
Homelessness is a complex issue without any magic solutions, and sometimes coexistence is the only option. While the consequences for Collier Gwin may seem harsh to some, physically aggressive acts can never be the answer when another human being is involved.
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