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UPDATE: Congresswoman Pelosi Asks National Park Service To Deny Alt-Right Rally Permit

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Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi wants the National Park Service to withdraw a permit for an alt-right rally at Crissy Field at Golden Gate National Recreation Area/NPS

Editor's note: This updates with statement from Golden Gate NRA acting General Superintendent Cicely Muldoon.

National Park Service officials, cognizant of concern over a "prayer First Amendment" event at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, are reviewing the situation and will decide in the coming week whether to let the event proceed.

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has asked the Park Service to withdraw a permit for the alt-right rally scheduled for August 26 at Crissy Field, part of Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco.

“I am deeply alarmed by the hateful and dangerous nature of the event, its timing so soon after the horrors in Charlottesville, and the serious questions over whether the National Park Service is at all equipped to ensure public safety during a white supremacist rally," the Democrat said. "The NPS should reevaluate its decision and its capacity to protect the public during such a toxic rally.

"We must wonder, where is the decision to permit a white supremacist rally in a national park being made? At the National Park Service? In the Department of the Interior? Or under guidance from the White House?," she added.

Thursday evening Golden Gate's acting general superintendent, Cicely Muldoon, issued a statement acknowledging the concerns.

We have heard and take very seriously the concerns expressed by the public and elected officials regarding the proposed August 26 Patriot Prayer First Amendment event at Crissy Field. Our highest priority is to ensure public safety, while honoring our obligation to uphold one of our nation’s most cherished Constitutional rights, the First Amendment right to freedom of speech.

We are guided by the Constitution, the law, longstanding court precedent, and National Park Service policy, which tells us we must be deliberative and not preemptive in our decisions related to First Amendment gatherings. Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the U.S. Park Police are closely coordinating with other federal, state and local agencies to ensure a robust plan is in place before we issue a final permit.

We want to thank everyone for expressing their heartfelt opinions and valid concerns. Anyone interested in expressing their opinion may do so by writing us at [email protected]. We are reviewing all comments, but we are not able to respond to everyone due to the large volume we are receiving.

We will make a final determination on the permit within the next seven business days based on the thorough public safety review. We will make a public announcement of our decision at that time.

The Park Service in the past has allowed rallies by the Ku Klux Klan at Gettsysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania. Early last month such a rally brought several hundred armed militia members to Gettysburg to rally in support of the park's Confederate statues and symbols. No violence broke out, but one of the militia members shot himself in the leg.

Rep. Pelosi, though, didn't think it prudent to allow for such a rally at Crissy Field.

“Perhaps those making the decision did not know that Crissy Field is a place where families gather, where tourists visit, and the community comes together. Free speech does not grant the right to yell fire in a crowded theater, incite violence or endanger the public in any venue," she said.

Comments

I'm pretty certain this group knows exactly who gathers at Crissy Field and it's one of the reasons they have chosen to have a rally there.  Regardless of whether or not open carry is allowed at this place, I'm also pretty certain they'll have concealed weapons ... maybe they'll shoot themselves in the leg again.  I just hope nothing worse occurs.  It's a scary thought.


Agreed, Rebecca. Let's hope sane minds rule on this.


Gonna lose this one: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Socialist_Party_of_America_v._Vil... people are best ignored.  They are seeking attention, spend the time playing with your dog on the beach


You've got it right RickyAZ. Only the true Facists try to shut down speach.  Patriots ignore what is rightfully identified as despicable. 


EC, what do "patriots" think about hundreds of protestors showing up armed to the teeth with semi-automatic weapons, wearing helmets, toting shields? Sure, 2nd amendment. But, really??? What's the underlying motive/intent? A rally to express a view, or looking to incite?


If you're asking, open carry would not be allowed in the Presidio given that it's completely within the city limits of San Francisco.  Or more specifically unlicensed open carry.  The law that allows people to carry firearms at NPS sites states that it must comform with local and/or state law.  California's open carry laws primarily address open carry in incorportated cities or other "prohibited areas" where a county might declare such an area.  Previously the open carry law allowed for unlicensed open carry of concealable handguns as long as the firearm wasn't carried loaded.  It was a bit odd with some carrying an unloaded weapon, but with a loaded magazine or speed loader ready as the law implied it could be loaded if there was a legitimate reason to use it.  When the law that banned unloaded carry of handguns went into effect, the group of people who did this shifted to long guns like shotguns and rifles.  That loophole was closed quickly.  The law also allowed any California peace officer to request on demand that someone carrying a firearm openly submit to a weapons check to see it was loaded or alternatively to view a permit that would allow loaded open carry, such as a law enforcement badge, security guard permit, or CCW permit (which would also allow for open carry).  I don't know exactly how the NPS handled it, as law enforcement rangers and US Park Police technically aren't California peace officers, althopugh they generally have the authority to arrest for state/local violations.  However, as it's basically illegal (except for those with permits) I believe anyone carrying a firearm could be arrested for it.

 

If this were in the mostly unincorporated Marin Headlands, even unlicensed open carry of a loaded weapon would be legal.

 


While I generally don't agree with the aims of these groups, I'd be hard pressed to support keeping them from securing a permit.  I might find their expression to be reprehensible, but the government can't really pick who gets the right to speak on public property where others are granted that right.

 

Of course this is going to be a huge headache for everyone.  I doubt that the law enforcement rangers and US Park Police are going to be adequate.  They will either need to call in for help from other units or perhaps from local law enforcement.


Perhaps what we need is to prohibit counter demonstrations. The kkk was all but gone until BLM, antifa and the like started trying to shut down free speech elsewhere. The result? More extreme far right groups. Let them have their little rally and don't give them the publicity they so badly desire. If you want to protest, hold your protest on another day. It's a slippery slope when you try to silence people no matter how disgusting the message.


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