Our Mission
At San Diego United Communities, our mission is to empower neighborhoods to come together under one roof to communicate and discuss San Diego policies. We are San Diego neighborhoods united—a powerful communication hub that amplifies our collective voices. Together, we support one another, share knowledge, and collaborate to preserve our heritage, strengthen our communities, tackle shared challenges, and champion growth rooted in integrity, transparency, and genuine respect for the people who call these neighborhoods home.
REPEAL THE FEES PETITION SIGNATURE COLLECTION DRIVE
REPEAL THE FEES PETITION SIGNATURE COLLECTION DRIVE
SUCCESS: San Diego Stands Together at the Liberty Station Signature Drive!
The momentum for change in San Diego reached a fever pitch this past Saturday, April 25, as hundreds of residents gathered at Liberty Station for the Repeal The Fees Petition Drive. From 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, the area outside Liberty Public Market was transformed into a hub of civic action, proving that the people of this city are ready to take back their voice.
Event Highlights: A Community United
The innovative Drive-Thru Rally format allowed thousands of supporters to participate seamlessly, ensuring that even those with busy schedules could make their mark. The energy remained high throughout the morning as a line of vehicles stretched through Liberty Station, with drivers honking in solidarity.
- Powerful Voices: Starting at 9:30 am, the event featured a lineup of guest speakers, including several candidates for the City Council District Race. Their messages were clear: city leadership must be held accountable, and the current "tax-and-fee" approach is unsustainable for San Diego families.
- A Diverse Turnout: We saw a massive showing from across the city—seniors, young families, and local business owners—all united by the same goal: stopping the financial squeeze on our residents.
Progress Toward Our Goals
The "Repeal the Fees" initiative is more than just a protest; it is a strategic movement to protect our community from two major financial burdens:
- Balboa Park Parking Fees: Fighting to restore free access to our "crown jewel" following the January 2026 implementation of paid parking.
- Trash Collection Fees: Challenging the "pay-as-you-throw" system that disproportionately affects those on fixed incomes.
The Numbers That Matter:
- The 81,000 Milestone: We are charging toward the 81,000 valid signatures required to secure a spot on the November 2026 ballot.
- The 24,000 Early Strike: Our immediate focus remains on hitting the 24,000 signature threshold. Reaching this number quickly will force the City Council to re-hear these issues and gives them the opportunity to repeal these fees before a public vote is even necessary.
The Fight Continues
This event was a clear message to city leadership: San Diegans will not be ignored. These fees are not just "budget solutions"—they are direct hits to the wallets of seniors and lower-income families who already struggle with the cost of living in our beautiful city.
What’s Next?If you weren't able to make it to Liberty Station, the fight isn't over. We need every registered voter in the City of San Diego to sign the petition.
- Check your registration: Ensure you are registered at your current San Diego address.
- Keep Spreading the Word: Share the mission on social media and with your neighbors.
Thank you to every volunteer, speaker, and resident who came out to make this the most successful signature drive in San Diego history. Together, we will SAVE SAN DIEGO!
Thank You.
SAVE SAN DIEGO!
Press conference at balboa park to repeal the fees 01/24/26
Emerald Hills & Encanto press conference rally 01/10/26
Ocean Beach is following our tagline
latest updates
SAN DIEGO UNITED COMMUNITIES IS CALLING ALL NEIGHBORHOODS TO SHOW UP AGAIN TO SEND SAN DIEGO CITY LEADERSHIP A MESSAGE.
Greetings Neighbors.
Hope you are all enjoying the New Year.
Hope this email will help clarify and shed some light as to why showing up to a press conference for another neighborhood in San Diego in 2026 is more than just a nice gesture; it is a strategic move that strengthens the entire city’s advocacy landscape. In a city where land use, housing, and infrastructure decisions are often made at the citywide level, neighborhood isolation can be a weakness. 2026 is our election year so it is crucial and imperative that we hit up every neighborhood bringing awareness regarding all of our issues which includes the ridiculous policies that don’t make sense for our Coastal City.
Here is why your presence matters this upcoming Saturday January 10, 2026, at 10am for our 2nd San Diego United Communities Press Conference.
Address: 5643 Bethune Court, San Diego, CA 92114
1. Strength in Numbers (The "Visual" Impact)
Press conferences are designed for the media and for City Hall. A small group of five people from one street can be easily dismissed as "NIMBYs" or a local grievance. However, when 50+ people from Point Loma, Barrio Logan, North Park, and Mira Mesa all stand together, for Encanto and Emerald Hills this weekend it signals to the Mayor and City Council that the issue has broad political consequences. It transforms a "neighborhood issue" into a "voter issue."
2. Breaking the "Silo" Effect
The City of San Diego often handles issues neighborhood by neighborhood (through Community Plan Updates or specific project permits). By supporting another area, you prevent the city from using a "divide and conquer" strategy.
- Shared Precedents: If a controversial policy or "reckless development" is approved in Preserve Greater Golden Hill, it sets a legal and administrative precedent that can be used later in your neighborhood. Donating to their appeal legal process will help us all in the long run.
- Coalition Building: Groups like San Diego United Communities have shown that when neighborhoods join forces, they can pool resources for legal fees, expert speakers, and media outreach.
3. Mutual Reciprocity
Advocacy is exhausting. When you show up for a neighborhood like Barrio Logan or Mission Hills today, you are "depositing" into a bank of goodwill. When your neighborhood faces a crisis—whether it’s a park closure, a high-density project without infrastructure, or a safety concern, those residents are much more likely to drive across town to stand behind you at your press conference.
4. Influencing Media Narratives
Journalists look for a "hook." A story about one neighborhood complaining is routine; a story about citywide solidarity is a headline.
"Neighborhoods across San Diego unite to demand better infrastructure" is a much more powerful narrative than "Residents in Clairemont upset about new bike lane."
5. Increasing Accountability
Elected officials are sensitive to optics. Seeing representatives from multiple Council Districts at one event reminds them that the community is watching—and communicating—with each other. It makes it harder for a Councilmember to say "my hands are tied" when they see a unified front of educated constituents from all over the city.
It is crucial that everyone start showing up to our press conference events folks. The power is in bodies present at these events whether its your neighborhood or not especially wearing your community shirts.
Our next lineup for press conferences will be for the following neighborhoods:
· Jamacha Rd.
· College Area
· Pacific Beach
· La Jolla
If you are interested in having San Diego United Communities, come speak at one of your meetings, please reach out. We have a large collection of contacts, along with a strong social media presence and can also help organize a rally in your community. We have been gathering emails, phone numbers and bridged the gap amongst communities fighting over the same bogus policies. We are all officially in this fight together at this point.
Our group is not only going to focus on responsible development, but we will also tackle other San Diego Tax paying issues coming our way and will be holding a press conference to support Repealing the Parking Fees later in January at Balboa Park. Save the tentative date of 01/24/26 at 10am for the Rally. Exact location in Balboa Park will be sent soon.
Many more events are coming down the pipeline; all we ask is to share and help us spread awareness but most importantly help us build this movement and show up to our events before elections. Help us Reform our San Diego Government.
Thank you!
San Diego United Communities
COMMUNITY RALLY on 12/16/25 was a huge success!
San Diego United Communities is rallied the troops to ask San Diegans to please show up in massive forces in your neighborhood shirts and signs or wear color blue to this event.
December 15 2025
1pm
202 C Street 12th Floor
Many people showed up, sending a stronger message to San Diego Leadership.
Many in attendance did not live in this neighborhood but were part of this massive movement. It will eventually come to your neighborhood soon.
Enough is Enough!
Bogus policies need to be stopped by San Diego Citizens.
United as One!
Spread the word
Help us raise awareness about San Diego United Communities and the work we do. Share our website, social media pages, and information about our events and programs with your family, friends, and colleagues. Most importantly attend these events, we must show the power in numbers.
REPEAL THE FEES
WHY REPEAL THE TRASH FEE...
Voters approved a 2022 measure based on misleading estimates of $23-29/month, but now face new trash fees of $43.60/month and rising to $55 - the highest in the county. San Diego should contract with private trash haulers like every other city in the county to save the City and taxpayers.
THE STORY OF PAID PARKING
WHY PARKING FEES SHOULD BE REPEALED...
New paid parking at Balboa Park. New paid parking at the Zoo. Increased parking at meters throughout San Diego. "Surge" pricing to $10/HR in the Gaslamp. Paid parking on Sundays. Attempts for new paid parking at beaches...when will it end?
The City estimates these new parking rates will generate nearly $30M annually in new revenue.
These increases aren't primarily about encouraging transit use or improving parking turnover; if that were the goal, the city would have raised rates years ago.
This is fundamentally about addressing a staggering $250 million budget deficit, driven by years of overspending, excessive staffing, and financial mismanagement, all passed onto workers, visitors, and residents through higher everyday costs.
Paid parking is not meant to be a city profit-center. At most, the public purpose of paid parking is to recover the nominal cost of parking stall maintenance and generate turnover to create better access to desirable public spaces.
But these news fees are bailing out the city's poor spending and management decisions while making access to the best part of San Diego more expensive for everyone.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DRH3oG0Eeif/
CLICK AND SIGN TO REPEAL THE FEES TODAY
"Testimonies"
Eric Law
In our struggle, I cite Benjamin Franklin often: "We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately."
Margaret Virissimo
Fighting against the destruction of a city is important for preserving human life, cultural heritage, economic stability, and environmental health. The reasons span humanitarian, social, and practical concerns.
Jane Rodrigues
Grass Root Efforts seems to be the only way to be heard in San Diego. I hope this group can get through and mke a huge difference with some wins.
mark inglewood
The destruction of one's home and neighborhood causes significant psychological trauma and disrupts social networks. Restoring the original environment can help minimize this trauma.
james kennedy
Grassroots efforts can succeed against city governments primarily because they derive immense power and credibility from authentic community engagement and a deep, localized understanding of the issues. This focus on the "lived experience" of everyday people creates pressure that elected officials, who are accountable to voters, find difficult to ignore
albert jones
I am so thankful for this group, uniting San Diego neighborhoods through one platform.