24 August, 2017
"We can not deny a permit to anyone planning to exercise their First Amendment rights based on their political stance or beliefs".
The group says its "Freedom Rally" in San Francisco will be different, though.
Patriot Prayer, which is described as an "alt-right" group by the hate group watchdog organization Southern Poverty Law Center, calls the event "a day of freedom, spirituality, unity, peace and patriotism". "With the event now officially permitted, the San Francisco Police Department is working with the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the United States Park Police on a comprehensive public safety plan".
The National Parks Service has approved a permit Wednesday for the Patriot Prayer rally scheduled for this weekend at San Francisco's Crissy Field.
Patriot Prayer bills itself as a peaceful First Amendment advocacy group that appears in locations where there have been past confrontations over free speech.
Cities across the United States are on high alert following an August 12 rally in Charlottesville, Virginia where Neo-Nazis, KKK members and various white nationalist factions carrying tiki torches clashed with counter-protesters, killing a 32-year-old woman. Some residents have urged people to leave their dog poop on the field, while others are planning to dress in drag and "amazing colorful fabulous best" for the SF LovedUp Mobile Dance Counter-Rally planned for 1 p.m.to 5 p.m. Saturday at Marina Green Park, NBC Bay Area reported.
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"The National Park Service has a long and proud tradition of being the site of peaceful expressions of people's views under the First Amendment to the US Constitution which guarantees everyone the right to gather together and express their opinions non-violently". "Law enforcement advised that issuing a permit will increase their ability to ensure public safety". "They want to fight the republic as a whole".
As expected, counter protests are planned ahead of the event. "I'm disappointed that the National Park Service is allowing a potentially volatile situation to go forward", Wiener said in his statement.
Although Crissy Field, being federal land, lies outside the city's jurisdiction, Lee said, "We are responsible and feel responsible for everyone's public safety, particularly residents of San Francisco".
It's at the discretion of the National Park Service to enforce these laws so Farrell is calling on the agency to arrest people who attend Saturday's rally and violate laws. San Francisco's mayor, U.S. Sen. Mayor Lee is asking counter-protestors to not engage with the members of this group.
The gathering at Civic Center Plaza is scheduled to happen at noon on Friday and Saturday.
On Tuesday, the SFPD confirmed that the entire police force would be called on duty to handle Saturday's rally, despite the fact that federal park police will be taking the lead on safety for the event.
