Senator Wiener’s Statement on Permit Issuance for Right-Wing Extremist Rally in San Francisco

August 23, 2017

Sacramento –  Today Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) issued the following statement regarding the news that the National Park Service has issued the permit for the “Patriot Prayer Rally” on Crissy Field:

“I’m disappointed that the National Park Service is allowing a potentially volatile situation to go forward, which could endanger the safety of San Francisco residents and visitors. This group has a history of violent rallies and is inviting an armed militia to participate. Now that the decision is final, our focus needs to shift toward ensuring that public safety is maintained at Crissy Field and that San Francisco sends a powerful, non-violent message of love in response to the message of hate being propagated by these right-wing extremist groups. We must respond to hate with a powerful embrace of our community's diersity. I hope everyone in San Francisco and the Bay Area, if they want to make a public demonstration on Saturday, will join me and thousands of others at the gatherings at Civic Center, Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro, or any of the other peaceful demonstrations that will be going on away from Crissy Field. For those who do go to Crissy Field, I implore everyone to engage in peaceful counter-protest and not to engage in violence. San Francisco can show the world how we respond to hate, and that’s with love.”

Last week, Senator Wiener sent a letter along with Assemblymembers Phil Ting and David Chiu, requesting the National Park Service not issue the permit, due to public safety concerns.