♪ ♪ MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS.

AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.

>>> A GOOD EVENING.

IT IS TUESDAY, MAY 25.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.. >>> ONE YEAR AGO, GEORGE FLOYD WAS KILLED BY POLICE OFFICER DEREK CHAUVIN IN MINNESOTA.

AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE LIVE OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING WHERE A SPECIAL GUEST WILL BE LEAVING A MEMORIAL CEREMONY.

>> Reporter: THE GUEST OF HONOR, WHO WILL HELP LEAD THE EVENT AS GARY JOINS.

IS THE FIRST COUSIN OF JONES.

AFTER SUNSET THE COUNTY BUILDING CARE WILL BE BATHED IN BLUE AND GREEN LIGHT.

THOSE OF THE COLORS OF MINNESOTA.

ALSO, BALBOA PARK BUILDINGS WILL BE COVERED IN THAT LIGHT AS WELL.

PEOPLE TOGETHER AROUND SAN DIEGO TODAY TO MARK THE OCCASION.

>> WE ARE HERE FOR THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

>> Reporter: A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE ARE MARKING THE PASSAGE OF THE YEARS SINCE GEORGE FLOYD WAS MURDERED AT THE HANDS OF DEREK CHAUVIN.

>> LOOK AROUND YOU.

>> Reporter: FOR THOSE INVOLVED IN THE STRUGGLE, THAT ARE DETERMINED TO SEE A MORE JUSTICE SYSTEM OF POLICE JUSTICE, IT IS ANYTHING BUT NORMAL.

>> WE CANNOT SLOW DOWN OR RELAX ON THIS MISSION.

AT THIS IS A GLOBAL MISSION.

WE ARE SUPPORTED BY THE REST OF THE PLANET AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE HAVE EQUITY AND JUSTICE IN THIS NATION.

>> THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN UP.

RACES ARE COMING TOGETHER.

>> Reporter: THE REVEREND SHANE HARRIS LEADS A GROUP THAT IS ORGANIZING THIS MEMORIAL.

HE SAYS HE IS OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THE GEORGE FLOYD POLICING ACT PASSING ME FOR THE END OF THE YEAR.

>> I BELIEVE THAT WHEN THIS BILL GETS TO THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT IT WILL BE ROBUST AND IT WILL CREATE INNOVATIVE CHANGES FOR POLICING IN AMERICA.

>> WE WILL STAY HERE THROUGH THE MEMORIAL AND I HOPE WE WILL HEAR FROM MR. JONES AND WE WILL BRING YOU THAT PART OF THE STORY, TOMORROW MORNING ON KPBS MORNING EDITION.

I AM JOHN CARROLL FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> CALLS FOR POLICE REFORM HAVE LED TO CHANGE IN SAN DIEGO BUT NOT FAST ENOUGH FOR SOME ACTIVISTS.

COMING UP, A LOOK AT THE PROGRESS AND WHAT IS STILL IN THE WORKS.

>>> ACTIVISTS GATHERED AROUND SAN DIEGO CITY HALL TODAY TO PROTEST A BILL THAT WOULD INCREASE FUNDING FOR POLICE.

KPBS REPORTER JOE HONG SPOKE WITH PROTESTERS ABOUT WHERE THAT MONEY SHOULD GO.

>> Reporter: COMMUNITY LEADERS FROM ACROSS SAN DIEGO SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE BILL.

JOHN LEADS FRAN IS AN ORGANIZER FROM THE CENTER OF POLICY.

>> WHEN THE NEW MAYOR, WHEN MAYOR LAURIER BRAND WITH THE SLOGAN OF IN MAYOR FOR ALL, THAT IS FOR ALL OF US.

>> Reporter: ONE YEAR AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, THEY ARE ASKING WHY THEY ARE NOT ELTING PARKS FOR LOW-INCOME PEOPLE OR THE HOMELESS.

>> THE POLICE RESPONSE TO HOPELESSNESS, OUT OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TO THOSE THAT ARE BETTER EQUIPPED.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE WITH THE SAN DIEGO CHAPTER OF [ INDISCERNABLE ].

>> THE FOCUS ON THE YOUTH SERVICES.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH SERVICES.

ACADEMICALLY AND CREATIVELY.

WHATEVER SPACE THEY WANT TO GO INTO.

WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE PROGRAMS.

>> Reporter: GLORIA SAID MOST OF THE INCREASES ARE DUE TO PENSION COSTS THAT ARE MANDATED BY LAW.

THEY HAVE ALSO CITED A INCREASE IN VIOLENT CRIME.

THE FEDERAL BUDGET WILL BE APPROVED BY JUNE.

I AM AT LISA HELMKE KPBS NEWS.

>>> IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY IS SPEARHEADING EFFORTS TO VACCINATE WORKERS IN BAJA, CALIFORNIA.

KPBS REPORT A ALEXANDRA HAS MORE.

>>> THE COUNTY IS MAKING EFFORTS TO VACCINATE 10,000 WORKERS FROM TIJUANA.

>> THIS DOES NOT STOP THE SHARED COMMUNITY.

TRAFFIC COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, MR. FLETCHER, ANNOUNCED A PLAN TO VACCINATE SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES.

ASIDE FROM THE WEEKLY VACCINE ALLOTMENT, THEY WERE ABLE TO REQUEST ADDITIONAL JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINES TO BE USED FOR THE VACCINATION EFFORTS.

WITH THE TEXACO VACCINATION EFFORT MOVING OUT AT A SLOWER PACE THAN CALIFORNIA, FLETCHER SAYS IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> WE HAVE MORE VACCINES THAN ARE BEING UTILIZED WE ARE IN POSITION TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND A GOOD PARTNER.

>> Reporter: 68% OF ELIGIBLE SAN DIEGANS HAVE RECEIVED AT LEAST ONE DOSE OF THE VACCINE.

MEANWHILE, THERE WORKING TO VACCINATE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND HAS STRUGGLED TO PROVIDE SECOND DOSES WITHIN THE RECOMMENDED TIME PLANT TIMEFRAME.

FLETCHER SAID, THERE IS A HEALTHY WORKFORCE FROM MEXICO.

>> WE ALSO KNOW THAT THE BORDER CROSSING, IT IS VITAL TO THE ECONOMY FOR BOTH OF OUR COUNTRIES AND OUR REGION.

IT >> Reporter: THE CONSUL GENERAL SAYS THAT THE VACCINE WILL BE AT NO COST TO WORKERS.

>> -- THAT IS CAUSED BY THE EMPLOYER'S.

WHILE U.S.

TAXPAYER MONEY IS BEING USED FOR THIS.

>>> UC SAN DIEGO HEALTH WILL BE VACCINATING 1500 WORKERS EACH DAY AT A MOBILE SITE IN SAN YOU SEDRO.

>>> A HOMECOMING FOR SAILORS ABOARD THE USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT.

THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER RETURNED TO SAN DIEGO FOLLOWING A SIX MONTH DEPLOYMENT.

IT LEFT IN THE DECEMBER.

THIS IS THE SECOND DEPLOYMENT.

THERE WERE PLENTY OF HUGS AND KISSES AS FAMILIES WELCOMED BACK TO THEIR SAILORS.

SOME EVEN MEETING NEW ADDITIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME.

>> I NEVER THOUGHT THIS DAY WOULD COME.

THIS IS CRAZY.

>> IT DURING THE FIRST DEPLOYMENT OF THE ROOSEVELT, IT WAS SIDELINED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS IN GUAM.

MORE THAN 1200 SAILORS WERE INFECTED AND ABOUT ONE FOURTH OF THE SHIPS CREW.

>>> THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOCATED OVER $3 MILLION TO SAN DIEGO TO FIGHT COVID-19.

AND AS KPBS REPORTER MELISSA MAE, THEY WANT TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

IT >> Reporter: THEY WANT TO SEND EMERGENCY ACTION FUNDING TO MILITARY MEMBERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

>> THIS IS THREE MONTHS WORTH OF BACK RENT OR BACK MORTGAGES FOR THESE MILITARY FAMILIES AND FIRST RESPONDER FAMILIES.

>> Reporter: MANY MILITARY MEMBERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE LOST JOBS OR MISSED WORK TO TAKE CARE OF CHILDREN.

ONE MILITARY MEMBER DESCRIBES HER EXPERIENCE.

>> THE CHILDREN, THE SCHOOL THAT MY CHILDREN ATTENDS, THEY WERE SHUT DOWN.

GROCERY STORES WERE EMPTY.

>> Reporter: THAT SHE HAD TO TAKE CARE OF FIVE CHILDREN ON HER OWN WHEN HER HUSBAND RESPONDED ON THE USS ROOSEVELT.

>> AS I HOPE BY FAMILY AND BY CHILDREN ADJUST TO SOCIAL DISTANCING AND DISTANCE LEARNING.

>> IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.

THEY ARE WILLING TO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US.

THEY ARE THE ONES THAT, WHEN THE FIRE IS BURNING, THEY DO NOT RUN AWAY FROM IT.

THE RED TO IT.

SO WHEN WE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE, THEY RAN AHEAD AND THEY TRY TO MAKE IT SAFE FOR THE REST OF US.

SO WE OWE THEM OF BIT OF GRATITUDE.

>> Reporter: THEY ARE NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS AND WE UNDERSTAND THE HARDSHIPS THAT THE FAMILIES FACE.

THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE TO PICK UP AND MOVE AS OFTEN AS THEY DO, SAN DIEGO IS NOT A CHEAP PLACE TO LIVE.

>> Reporter: FUNDING WOULD BE PLAYED PAID TO THE LANDLORD OR THE MORTGAGE LENDER.

THE PROPOSAL GOES TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON JUNE 8.

I AM MELISSA MAE FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> A COVID-19 WRONGFUL DEATH AT A PRISON HAS BEEN FILED.

PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN'S DELANO FROM I NEWS SOURCE HAS MORE.

>> Reporter: LEO MARTINEZ DIED FROM COVID-19 IN JANUARY.

NOW HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN ARE TAKING STEPS TO SUE THE STATE FOR THEIR ROLE IN HIS DEATH.

THEY SAY THAT GUARDS WERE NOT WEARING MASKS OR SOCIAL DISTANCING.

THE PRISON WAS HOUSING INFECTED INMATES.

THIS CAUSED MARTINEZ TO CONTRACT COVID-19.

THIS IS HIS WIFE, EVANGELINA GARCIA.

>> WE FELT LIKE, HIS LIFE WAS DISREGARDED.

AND A LOT OF OTHER INMATE LIVES WERE DISREGARDED.

WHILE THEY WERE AT DONOVAN AND WHEN THEY PASS.

>> Reporter: THE STATE HAS SIX MONTHS TO REVIEW THE ADMINISTRATIVE CLAIM.

IF IT IS REJECTED THEY CAN FILE A LAWSUIT.

GARCIA WANTS TO HELP OTHER FAMILIES THAT HAVE LOST INCARCERATED PEOPLE TO COVID-19 AND ADVOCATE FOR CHANGES.

IN THE PRISON SYSTEM.

>> EVERY GUARD THERE, EVERY WARDEN THAT WORKS AT A PRISON, THEY NEED TO RESPECT THE LIFE OF EVERY INMATE IN THAT PRISON.

EVERY INMATE THERE EITHER HAS A MOTHER, A FATHER, A SON OR A DAUGHTER OR A WIFE.

YOU KNOW, THEY ARE PRAYING FOR THEM.

OUT HERE.

>> Reporter: THE STATE CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT COMMENT ON THE DEATH OF RODRIGUEZ.

18 DONOVAN INMATES AND ONE STAFF MEMBER HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19.

FOR KPBS I AM I NEWS SOURCE REPORTER JILL CASTELLANO.

>> I NEWS SOURCE IS A NONPROFIT MEMBER OF KPBS .

>>> AT THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD, ONE YEAR AGO, SPARKED A GLOBAL MOVEMENT CALLING FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND POLICE REFORM.

SAN DIEGO WAS NO EXCEPTION.

THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE CALLING FOR CHANGES NOW.

SO, WHERE ARE WE NOW?

I TALKED WITH KPBS REPORTER CHRISTINA CAMP ON WHERE PEOPLE STAND ONE YEAR AFTER THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD.

WELCOME CHRISTINA.

WE SAW A LOT OF CALLS FOR POLICE REFORM BUT WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED THIS PAST YEAR?

>> IN EARLY JUNE, THE SAN DIEGO POLICE DEPARTMENT BANNED THE USE OF CERTAIN RESTRAINTS.

THAT INCLUDES USING THE NECK TO SUBDUE SOMEBODY.

THEY ALSO CHANGE THE POLICYMAKING DE-ESCALATION A REQUIREMENT AND SENDING OUT MORE EXPLICIT MEASURES IF THEY SAW A FELLOW OFFICER USING EXCESSIVE FORCE.

BUT SOME SAY, THIS IS TOO SMALL.

BUT, THE COALITION FOR POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY RELEASE SOME REFORMS THEY WANT TO SEE INCLUDING CUTTING BE POLICE BUDGET AND CREATING AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

>> THE MEASURE PASSED IN NOVEMBER AND ESTABLISHES AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATORY COMMITTEE.

WHAT IS THE STATUS ON THAT?

>> IT PAST WITH 75% OF THE VOTE BUT, IT IS MAY AND WE STILL DO NOT HAVE A COMMISSION.

IT HAS BEEN A SLOW PROCESS.

I SPOKE WITH ANDREA ST. JULIAN AND SHE SAID SHE IS HOPEFUL THAT BUT A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW LONG IT IS TAKING TO SET UP THE COMMISSION.

SHE SAYS IT IS IMPORTANT TO HER TO GET NEW PEOPLE.

MATCHES KEEP THE EXISTING COMMISSIONERS FROM THE PREVIOUS BOARD.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THESE HOLDOVER COMMISSIONERS THAT WANT TO RUN THE COMMISSION, IN THE SAME WAY THAT THEY RAN THE OLD BOARD.

THEY ARE TRYING TO PUT IN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT ARE GOING TO KEEP THE COMMISSION FROM MOVING FORWARD.

SO, COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE UPSET BY THAT.

>> SO WHAT ST. JULIAN IS ALLUDING TO, THE COMMITTEE VOTED ON IF THE NEW COMMISSION SHOULD ALLOW POLICE OFFICERS TO ATTEND CLOSED DELIBERATION.

THE COMMITTEE ULTIMATELY VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT POLICE SHOULD NOT BE A PART OF THE CLOSED SESSIONS.

ST. JULIAN THINKS THAT THE FACT THAT IT WAS BROUGHT UP IS CONCERNING.

>> SO WHILE WE ARE WAITING, IS THERE ANY POLICE OVERSIGHT IN PLACE?

>> THERE ARE NO NEW INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS IN PLACE.

IN TERMS OF GETTING THE NEW CONDITION UP AND RUNNING, MEANING CONDUCTING INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS, THE TRANSITION TEAM ESTIMATES THAT WILL BE EARLY NEXT YEAR.

>> WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT DEFUNDING POLICE OVER THE SUMMER.

WHERE DO WE STAND AS FAR AS THE 2022 BUDGET?

>> THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN FUNDING AND THAT HAS UPSET COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THE MAYOR INCREASED THE POLICE BUDGET BY $19 MILLION FOR A TOTAL OF $600 MILLION.

AND THE COMMISSION CAME IN AT FAR LESS THAN THAT.

>> SO WHAT ARE YOU KEEPING YOUR EYE ON IN TERMS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

>> PEOPLE LOOK AT THREE THINGS.

I WANT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE POLICE REFORMS ISSUED BY MAYOR TODD GLORIA .

AND WHAT HAPPENS WITH HIM IT'S EFFORTS TO -- THAT IMPACTED BLACK AND LATINO PEOPLE.

AT THE STATE LEVEL, WE SAW A LOT OF POLICE REFORMS PETER OUT.

DEMOCRATS WANT TO PUSH CERTAIN BILLS THROUGH LIKE SB NUMBER 2.

AND FINALLY, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, I THINK ALL EYES ARE ON THE GEORGE FLOYD POLICING ACT.

SOME HOPED IT WOULD BE ON THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENT BY NOW.

BUT IT IS STUCK IN THE CENTER.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE HOW THE REFORMS THAT HAVE BEEN IMPLEMENTED ARE ENFORCED.

>> IT HAS A LOT TO FOLLOW.

THANK YOU, FOR REPORTING.

>> THANK YOU, MYA.

>>> SO, SDG&E WILL BE THE SOLE GAS AND ELECTRICITY PROVIDER IN CALIFORNIA.

BUT IT WAS A CONTENTIOUS VOTE THAT LED TO THAT.

>>> ACTIVISTS HAVE BEEN PRESSURING MAYOR TODD GLORIA TO CUT A SHORTER DEAL WITH SDG&E.

THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE CHARGING SOME OF THE HIGHEST ENERGY RATES IN THE COUNTRY.

THE NEW AGREEMENT ALLOWS SDG&E TO OPERATE EQUIPMENT ON CITY LAND.

BUT THE UTILITY WILL GIVE $30 MILLION AND ANOTHER $30 BILLION FOR SOLAR REBATES AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

THEY CAN OPT OUT AFTER 10 YEARS.

MONICA MONTGOMERY SAYS THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO PAY BACK SOME OF THAT MONEY IF THEY CHOOSE THAT ROUTE.

>> BY MY ACCOUNT, CLOSE TO $40 MILLION TO GET OUT OF THIS.

AND SO, THAT IS, FOR ME, CONSTRICTIVE.

AND MAKES IT VERY HARD TO JUSTIFY AND REALLY MAKE THOSE GRANTS FEASIBLE.

>> Reporter: A COUNCIL MEMBERS AS THE NEW CONTRACT IS AN IMPROVEMENT ON THE PREVIOUS DEAL AND NEITHER SDG&E OR THE CITY GOT WHAT THEY WANTED.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT THE MAYOR PUSHED TO GET ACCOUNTABILITY AND WE ARE TAKING STEPS.

BUT, WE HAVE AN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.

FOR THESE REASONS, I DO THINK WE GOT A BETTER DEAL AND I VOTE YES.

>> Reporter: THE FINAL VOTE WAS 6-3 WAS SOME LAST-MINUTE CHANGES.

WITH THOSE, THERE IS A VISIBILITY STUDY THAT WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THE SDG&E ASSETS.

I'M ANDREW BOWEN FOR KPBS NEWS.

>>> FOR THE MOST PART, PLENTY OF SUNSHINE., HOWEVER, A LITTLE BIT OF THE COOLER WE CAN FOR SOME OF YOU.

MAINLY INLAND.

THERE IS NO RAIN IN SIGHT.

TEMPERATURES TONIGHT IN THE METRO DROPPING OFF INTO THE LOW 60s.

PLENTY OF CLEAR SKIES OUT THERE.

AND PERHAPS JUST A FEW PASSING CLOUDS.

OVERALL, A CLEAR NIGHT.

GETTING DOWN TO 57 DEGREES IN OCEANSIDE AND 60 IN CHULA VISTA.

EL CAJON, 60 DEGREES.

WEDNESDAY, THE WARMTH AND BEGINS TO BUILD IN HERE.

WE WILL SEE TEMPERATURES ON THE RISE FOR SOME OF US GOING INTO WEDNESDAY.

BUT THAT COMES AT A COST.

AN ELEVATED FIRE DANGER AND PERHAPS A FEW MORNING CLOUDS FOR SOME COASTAL REGIONS.

THAT WILL BE EARLY IN THE MORNING.

TEMPERATURES GETTING BACK UP INTO THE UPPER 60s AND LOW 70s.

VIRAGO SPRINGS, UPPER 90s.

THAT IS WHAT YOU CAN SEE ON WEDNESDAY.

THURSDAY, NOT MUCH OF A CHANGE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY.

THE WARMTH CONTINUES.

INLAND, TEMPERATURES WARM UP.

5- 10 DEGREES WARMER.

AND AROUND THE 4 DEGREES REGION, THAT WILL CONTINUE.

TEMPERATURES NOT CHANGING A WHOLE LOT HERE.

GOING INTO THE WEEKEND, HIGHS IN THE 60s.

FURTHER INLAND YOU WILL NOTICE A BIT OF A CHANGE WITH TEMPERATURES PEAKING IN THE LOW 80s ON FRIDAY BEFORE DROPPING OFF INTO THE MID-70s ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

IN THE MOUNTAINS, TEMPERATURES NOT CHANGING A WHOLE LOT.

WE COULD COOL OFF THROUGH THE WORK WEEK.

BACK DOWN TO THE LOW 60s TOWARDS THE END OF THE WEEKEND.

IN THE DESERT, IT IS HOT.

THE HEAT IS ON WITH TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 90s THROUGH THE END OF THE WORK WEEK.

FOR KPBS NEWS I AM METEOROLOGIST JESSICA PAST.

>>> AFTER FOUR YEARS AND A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, GRADUATION DAY HAS ARRIVED FOR SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS.

GRADUATES ONLY GOT FOUR TICKETS TO LIMIT CAPACITY INSIDE THE STADIUM.

MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING WERE REQUIRED BUT THAT IS NOT DAMPENING THE SPIRITS OF STUDENTS THAT HAVE WAITED TO CELEBRATE THIS ACHIEVEMENT.

>> 2020 WAS A HOT MESS BUT I AM HERE NONETHELESS.

AND I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE.

>> I WORKED HARD TO GET HERE AND I MIGHT AS WELL CELEBRATED.

>> STUDENTS THAT GRADUATED ARE GETTING THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN IN-PERSON COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES.

>>> OUR KPBS ARTS CORRESPONDENT BETH ACCOMANDO IS A HUGE STAR WARS FAN.

SHE SPOKE WITH FANS WHO SAW IT OPENING DAY TO TALK ABOUT THEIR MEMORIES.

HERE IS HER VIDEO POSTCARD.

>> I REMEMBER THE FANFARE.

AND WHEN YOU ARE SITTING IN A SINGLESCREEN HOUSE, WITH ANYWHERE FROM 800 OR EVEN 1000 PEOPLE, WITH THIS MASSIVE WALL TO WALL SCREEN, IT IS HEAVY.

AND THEN THE BLUE THAT SAID, THE SCREEN WENT BLACK AND IT SAID IN A GALAXY, FAR FAR AWAY, AND THEN, BAM!

>> I WAS 13 YEARS OLD WHEN I FIRST SAW STAR WARS ON OPENING DAY, MAY 25, 1977.

WE HAD NEVER SEEN A MOVIE THAT HAD A LINE AROUND THE SCREEN.

>> WHEN WE SHOWED UP WE WERE THE FIRST ONES AT THE THEATER IN SAN DIEGO, ON OPENING DAY.

>> WE WERE ALWAYS WAITING IN LINE, TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAD OUR OWN EQUIPMENT.

WE WOULD BRING DECKS OF CARDS AND LAWN CHAIRS AND THINGS TO OCCUPY OURSELVES.

IT WAS HARD TO GET GOOD PHOTOS OF COSTUMES AND ANGLES.

SO WE WOULD ACTUALLY GO AND WATCH IT WITH A SKETCHPAD IN AND AND TRACK A COSTUME THROUGHOUT THIS MOVIE.

>> THIS IS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

WE KNEW EVERYBODY AT THAT LINE, AT THAT THEATER, NIGHT OR DAY, THEY WERE FANS, LIKE US.

AND WE WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO RIDICULE OR DISPARAGING REMARKS, BECAUSE WE WERE ALL THERE FOR THE SAME THING.

THIS AMAZING MOVIE THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER AND MADE US SOMETHING TO BE RECKONED WITH.

>> I WAS 12 YEARS OLD WHEN STAR WARS CAME UP IN 1977.

THAT WAS JUST THE PERFECT AGE TO SEE IT.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT LIGHT SABERS AND BLASTERS AND SO ON, IT LOOKED REAL.

AND WE THOUGHT, THE SHIP WAS FILTHY.

WOULD YOU REALLY WANT TO FLY IN THAT THOUGH?

>> I WAS NINE YEARS OLD WHEN THIS DROPPED.

WHAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT IN THE UK IS AT THAT TIME, WE GOT BIG MOVIES AT LEAST SIX MONTHS LATER THAN THE UNITED STATES.

SO, WE HAD AN ADDITIONAL SIX MONTHS OF HYPE.

SO BY THE TIME THE MOVIE CAME OUT, IT WAS ON THE VERGE OF EXPLODING.

IT CHANGED MY LIFE.

>> I WAS ABOUT NINE YEARS OLD WHEN I FIRST SAW STAR WARS.

I WAS IN MUMBAI, INDIA.

I REMEMBER JUST BEING IN ALL OF IT.

I GOT TO WATCH THE MOVIE WITH MY FAMILY.

AND AT THAT AGE, AT LEAST IN INDIA, YOU NEVER WANT TO WATCH WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

YOU ALWAYS WATCHED WITH YOUR FAMILY.

>> I FIRST SAW IT WHEN I WAS 12 YEARS OLD.

WE TRY TO SEE IT AT THE MOVIE THEATER BUT WE COULD NOT BECAUSE IT WAS SOLD OUT.

SO MY FATHER, IN HIS WINS WISDOM, PUT US ALL IN HIS CAR AND TOOK US TO THE MISSION BAY DRIVE IN.

AND THE KIDS AND I, WE WERE JUST AMPED.

WE WERE SO EXCITED.

>> PEOPLE KNEW HOW TO REACT, INSTINCTIVELY.

AND WENT DARTH VADER APPEARED, EVERYBODY WAS SO EXCITED.

>> AND THAT WAS LIKE, JUST LIKE , I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT WANTS TO MAKE NOISE WITH THIS.

HOW MANY YEARS LATER AND I CAN STILL BE ALL ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT IT.

I STILL REMEMBER HOW COOL THAT WAS.

>> VERY COOL TO HEAR THEIR EXCITEMENT.

>>> YOU CAN FIND TONIGHT'S STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, WWW.KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I AM MAYA TRABULSI.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

MAJOR FUNDING FOR KPBS EVENING EDITION HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF KPBS.

AND PRIVILEGED TO SERVE SAN DIEGO CLIENTS.

ANDERSON PLUMBING, HEATING AND AIR.

HELPING HOMEOWNERS MAINTAIN DRAIN, HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS SINCE 1978.

AND BY THE CONRAD PREBYS FOUNDATION, DARLENE MARCOS SHILEY AND BY THE FOLLOWING.

AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.

THANK YOU.