Civic Center Plaza: Pawz for Pierce’s Playaz Dog Competition

On Friday, May 15, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM, Pierce’s Pledge and United Playaz will join Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, City officials, and other local celebrities to host the 3rd Annual Pawz for Pierce’s Playaz at Civic Center Plaza in front of San Francisco City Hall. The youth-organized dog competition raises money and awareness for gun violence prevention programs, including San Francisco’s gun buyback efforts, while giving youth directly impacted by gun violence a public platform to advocate for safer communities.
Location: Civic Center Plaza, McAllister Street & Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco
Date: Friday, May 15, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Speakers include Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, Pierce’s Pledge Founder Lesley Hu, United Playaz Executive Director Rudy Corpuz and others.
Members of the media wishing to attend should RSVP to press@piercespledge.org. Onsite interviews will be offered on a first-come-first served basis.

About the Event
This is not your average dog competition. This is a movement.
Over 150 young organizers — many personally impacted by gun violence — are using their voices to advocate for a safer future, proving that even the youngest among us can lead with courage, compassion, and purpose. Since its inception, Pawz for Pierce’s Playaz, named by the kids of the event, has engaged students from more than 15 schools across the Bay Area in a hilarious dog competition, reflecting the growing reach and impact of this youth-led movement.
To stand alongside these kids, these incredible dog judges will join the event: Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr, Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, Supervisor Stephen Sherrill, rapper Black C, actress Elisa Donovan, and former 49er Anthony “Boobie” Dixon, and more to come.
“This event brings San Franciscans together around joy, healing, and a serious call to action: we must do everything we can to prevent gun violence and keep children safe,” said District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill. “We’re all honored to stand with Pierce’s Pledge, United Playaz, and the youth organizers who are turning loss into leadership and building a safer future for our city.”
Pawz for Pierce’s Payaz is honored to have all of these incredible loyal judges, and are especially honored to welcome Coach Steve Kerr to this year’s lineup. Widely respected both for his leadership on the court and his unwavering advocacy off of it. Kerr has been a powerful national voice in the fight to end gun violence. His participation brings added meaning to the event, and we are deeply grateful for his support.
The event will once again be emceed by San Francisco local legend and crowd favorite Franco Finn, returning for his second consecutive year as MC.
Why are these dogs competing?
Pierce Howard Hu was a vibrant 9-year-old boy whose life was tragically cut short by gun violence in San Francisco’s Marina district. In his honor, youth from across San Francisco are coming together to take a stand. This event is fully organized by kids, for kids — bringing together young leaders from schools across the city, along with youth from United Playaz, to raise awareness, inspire change, and create spaces for healing.
The Pawz for Pierce’s Playaz event has raised over $110,000 in the past two years, directly supporting:
● San Francisco’s only Gun Buyback Program, through SFPD and United Playaz, which removes dangerous weapons from our streets. The event has safely collected and taken out of circulation more than 300 firearms
● The DayDay Scholarship, supporting a young person affected by gun violence in continuing their education
● Pierce’s Pledge Gun Storage Map + SFPD Safe Gun Storage Program
● Ongoing trauma healing programs for youth navigating life after loss