Campaign To Recall Bob Filner Begins

16 women have accused the San Diego mayor of sexual harassment

SAN DIEGO—The effort to recall embattled San Diego Mayor Bob Filner officially kicked off Sunday, as petitions were circulated at midnight and volunteers worked at three daytime civic events,  capped by a Freedom From Filner rally attended by more than 300 supporters in front of City Hall.

Signature gatherers went to the America's Finest City Half Marathon at Balboa Park, as well as at an afternoon volunteer orientation and kickoff event at the Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley.

The vocal crowd of supporters, many wearing blue T-shirts saying "Please Resign Mayor Filner," stood in front of the Civic Center and listened to grass-roots leaders calling for the mayor to "resign or be recalled."

"We are here today to have our voice heard," said anti-Filner rally spokeswoman Kathryn Vaughn, a San Diego attorney and workshop leader on sexual harassment in the workplace. "Our message is clear. We the people and the citizens of future generations want a leader who has honor, dignity and respect for all people. We stand united."