CALIFORNIA/PROTESTS: “Politicians tried and failed to shut down an event dubbed a free-speech rally planned for San Francisco on Saturday [8-26-17], though they did manage to prohibit guns, explosives, tiki torches, selfie sticks and many other items.
Across the Bay in Berkeley, police and politicians have urged the public to stay away from a ‘No to Marxism’ event Sunday.
In Charlottesville, Va., the scene of violent protests two weeks ago, the mayor is lobbying the state legislature to allow cities to ban weapons from public events.
Cities across the country are grappling with how to ensure free speech, while tamping down on violence as the nation is plunged into another series of protests fueled by political and racial divisions.
The stakes are high for cities, as they risk criticism for limiting free speech or endangering public safety.
Boston police were hailed for managing to keep protesters and counterprotesters separated just days after the mayhem in Charlottesville. Phoenix police are conducting a review of their officers’ actions after a chaotic Tuesday night during which officers deployed tear gas to break up demonstrators gathered to protest President Trump’s rally there.
San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said he had consulted with more than 100 police departments and groups, including the Anti-Defamation League, to learn best practices for restricting violence.”
-Alejandro Lazo, “San Francisco Bay Area Officials Prepare for Rallies Over the Weekend,” The Wall Street Journal online, Aug. 25, 2017 07:00am