Manillatown Heritage Foundation sponsored an event to commemorate the 30th year anniversary of the eviction of the residents of the International Hotel. The closing of I-Hotel was a pivotal moment in San Francisco politics, because it united progressives and immigrants to fight for affordable housing.

For those who are not aware of the I-Hotel, it was a residential hotel that housed primarily Filipino men. But there were also families that lived in the hotel-including Bill Sorro and Guilana Milanese. A property developer headed by Walter Shorenstein bought the hotel and sent eviction notices in January 1977. Thousands of people rallied and chains of people with their arms locked together tried to keep the tenants from being evicted night after night. But the sheriff and his deputies evicted the tenants in the middle of the night in August 1977.

After a great deal of work from the Manillatown Heritage Foundation, Chinese Progressive Alliance and other groups, a building honoring the tenants and their struggle has been open on the site of the I-Hotel. Inside the building is a gallery space.

With the 30th commemoration of the closing of the I-Hotel, the building houses exhibit of Bill Sorro’s work and life called the “A Serving of Love: Passion of Bill Sorro.” Sorro was born in San Francisco and went to Balboa High School. An organizer, father of six and community activist, Bill Sorro lived at the I-Hotel. He married his wife, Guilanese Milanese at the I-Hotel, celebrating with his friends and neighbors. Bill and Guilana are elders within the progressive movement in San Francisco and have worked tirelessly to make San Francisco a better place.


The I-Hotel was at the corner of Jackson and Kearny. A visitor’s center is now open at the site.

The event included was a rap group which had the rap, “When the police come knocking your door, you better know your rights. When you are stopped in the middle of the street, you better know your rights.”


Author Elizabeth (Betita) Martinez is a well-known Chicana activist, writer and educator. She is the author of “500 Years of Chicano History” and has recently been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.


This bricks with photos in the fireplace contained recordings about the history of Manillatown, I-Hotel and Bill Sorro’s life. Robynn Takayama created the recordings for this very clever exhibit.


Peter Galon, Robynn Takayama and Lotus Yee Fong. Robynn is a talented producer and community artist. Her video, radio and gallery work has been exhibited in San Francisco, Berkeley, Los Angeles and Chicago. Robynn is working on a radio documentary about posters for KALW. Lotus Yee Fong is an environmental and education activist (and the proud grandma of a two-year old grandson).


Roy Recio who is an community organizer within the Filipino Community and ran for the DCCC in District 12 last year, is on the left with Joaquin Sorro, son of Bill Sorro and Guiliana Milanese.