San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced Wednesday that 18 individuals are facing charges stemming from two unsanctioned block parties held during Pride weekend in June. The charges include unlawful assembly, failure to disperse, and resisting and obstructing an officer.
San Francisco police first encountered a gathering on the 100 block of Kissling Street in the South of Market neighborhood shortly before 11 p.m. on June 27. Officers issued a dispersal order and instructed a DJ to leave, which appeared to be followed. However, a crowd of approximately 200 individuals reconvened within an hour, this time on Washburn Street, initiating a second unauthorized block party.
Law enforcement responded to address the continuing offense, leading to 18 arrests. Video from the scene showed a significant police presence on a crowded street, with officers ordering individuals to move back. Police reported that two officers sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the efforts to break up the parties. The nature and cause of these injuries were not immediately detailed.
Authorities stated that anti-police graffiti was spray-painted on walls at both locations. Makeshift barricades, including boulders, construction equipment, traffic cones, and pipe, were reportedly erected to impede authorities. The Stud Alley gatherings have occurred for the past six years during Pride weekend in the South of Market neighborhood, an area known for its historic gay nightlife venues.
Police Chief Derrick Lew responded to concerns raised by Supervisor Jackie Fielder regarding the clashes between officers and attendees. Lew stated that Fielder's characterization of the events was inaccurate, emphasizing that the arrests involved a small number of people out of thousands who attended Pride events peacefully. He explained that the unlawful parties began after DJ equipment was unloaded and streets were blocked with boulders. Two individuals cited at the initial Kissling Street gathering were released. Lew also reported that two Waymo vehicles were surrounded and had their tires slashed around the same time.
When the party resumed on Washburn Street, access was allegedly blocked by wood, construction equipment, traffic cones, and pipe. Lew cited the presence of these barricades, reported vandalism, and the potential safety risks posed by objects like boulders and glass bottles as reasons for deploying officers in tactical gear. He asserted that the Stud Alley incident was not representative of Pride Weekend as a whole and that police response is based on public safety considerations, not on the identity of participants or viewpoints expressed.
Graffiti found at the scene included messages such as "Pigs choke and die" and "Free Gaza." The 18 individuals arrested were arraigned on Thursday morning. The District Attorney's office indicated that the incident remains under active investigation. Defense attorney Jeff Wozniak, representing some of the charged individuals, commented that the charges were unusually severe for current times.
Last year's similar block party drew hundreds but did not result in legal repercussions, with police monitoring the event but not shutting it down or making arrests. Fielder had also expressed concerns about arrests made the previous day at the Trans March, where six people were arrested on charges including felony vandalism and battery on a peace officer.