Caught on video, two nudist heroes in the Castro intervened in an attack on a tourist by a man armed with a blowtorch. According to the SF Standard, Pete Sferra of San Jose and Lloyd Fishback of San Francisco were enjoying a customary stroll through the neighborhood on July 2 when the incident occurred.
Sferra, at the time completely nude, tackled the assailant after he began to assault the tourist. In a remarkable display of street justice, Fishback delivered a punch and a subsequent slap to the attacker's face, as it was captured on a bystander's video. Despite being involved directly in the altercation, Fishback declined to comment, choosing to retain his privacy—a notable move considering the attention the event has attracted.
The attacker, identified by police as 38-year-old Zero Triball, is known for his erratic behavior in the Castro, reported by the USA Today. The Standard noted that Triball has a record of causing disturbances, having previously entered the Cliffs Variety store and aggressively confronted employees, and similarly threatening the Castro Country Club, according to their respective managers. Residents and business owners in the area are familiar with his tumultuous presence.
Days after the incident, Chris Watts took to social media to seek further information on an individual who threatened the victim with the blowtorch and vandalized his store. In a post shared on the Castro Conversations and Other Matters of Interest Facebook page, he recounted how the aggressor was thwarted thanks to the quick actions of the community and the locked doors of his shop.
Fun Facts About Nudism in SF
While public nudity in San Francisco has a storied history of liberalism and has often been celebrated, it has not come without its legislative battles and societal shifts. As detailed in a synopsis by KQED, public nudity has seen its ups and downs—from being a legal non-issue in the early 20th century to witnessing crackdowns and necessitating permits in contemporary times. The city currently requires permits for public nudity, save for certain designated parks where it's allowed without formal paperwork.
Sferra expressed his dismay at the violent spectacle encountered by what is believed to be a Brazilian tourist named Leo, in statements made to SF Standard. Emphasizing his desire to normalize nudity in the famously LGBTQ+ neighborhood, he expressed a simple wish: to be recognized as a contributing member of the community, notwithstanding a personal preference for attire—or the lack thereof.
