SAN FRANCISCO—On November 15, 2023, there was a violent incident at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in the security zone at Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco between protestor Sarah White and volunteer Michael Davies, who was hired without full security clearance from the United States (U.S.) Secret Service.
Davies has a criminal record for disorderly intoxication, possessing a fake identification card, a 2022 vandalism incident, which was dismissed through a mental health diversion program.
White was advocating for various rights at the summit, chanting ‘People over profit!’ when Davies walked by. At first, he ignored her, then returned to punch her in the face. The punch caused her to collapse to the ground.
White’s injuries included a broken jaw in two places, knocked-in teeth, a broken skull, fractured sinus cavity and bleeding to her brain. She spent four nights in intensive care unit (ICU) at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital. She still has brain injuries (TBI) long-term effects, impairing her short-term memory, affecting her ability to continue teaching.
In November 2023, the San Francisco Office of the District Attorney charged Davies with felony assault, and he was later released from San Francisco County Jail.
In early 2025, Davies and his legal team petitioned for his case change to a mental health court. As of November 2025, Davies was waiting for his mental health diversion petition, keeping him from being prosecution, and if he will get the case dismissed if he completes a program. His petition is pending upon the judge’s recommendation. White filed a lawsuit against both Davies and APEC for the assault.
To donate to Sarah White’s GoFundMe page visit:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/solidarity-for-sf-activist-assaulted-at-apec?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer
