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This week in Shameless Elitist news: Bonhams Auction House in Potrero Hill set up a kind of sprinkler system on their roof that sprays water on the street below. Why? Because there was a group of homeless people with tents on the sidewalk behind their building.

Video credit: Sarah Thibault

There are a number of reasons why this is soulless and evil:

Treating human beings like dogs in a fight is not a good way to live your life. Bonhams makes its trade in very expensive things for very rich people…and this is how they chose to spend their time and money. We’re in a goddamned drought. Is this even legal? Do you have to have some kind of permit to do this? That’s a public sidewalk, right?

As of Monday morning, June 6th, the homeless people were gone but the water was still going. So not only is it mean and wasteful behavior, random people (ahem, like me) got rained on for no good reason other than turning the corner while walking down the street. No signs around and apparently no shame either.

I’m of the opinion that not only should they not indulge in this kind of behavior ever again but that Bonhams should have to donate money to a local nonprofit that supports the homeless population.

If you agree, you can urge them to do so by contacting them here:

Tel: +1 415 861 7500

Fax: +1 415 861 8951

info.us@bonhams.com