Park service weighs group’s S.F. Crissy Field permit
Application was for ‘Patriot Prayer,’ tied to white nationalism
SAN FRANCISCO » A permit granted to an “alt-right” group with suspected ties to hate groups is under review in the wake of last weekend’s fatal “Unite The Right” gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia, a federal parks official said Wednesday.
In a statement, Cicely Muldoon, acting superintendent of the National Park Service’s Golden Gate Recreation Area, acknowledged the heavy and ongoing negative response from the public all the way up to Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstei for the permit requested by Patriot Prayer on Aug. 26 to gather at Crissy Field.
“According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, Patriot Prayer attracts white nationalists and other hate groups to its rallies with the intent to provoke unrest between those groups and counter-protesters,” Feinstein wrote Wednesday. “I am alarmed at the prospect that Crissy Field will be used as a venue for Patriot Prayer’s incitement, hate, and intimidation.”
In a live-streamed video on Patriot Prayer USA’s Facebook page, organizer Joey Gibson decried negative statements from politicians and shrugged off people who expressed qualms about the event’s speaker lineup.
“We don’t have leaders that are trying to promote a healthy culture, and that’s what I want to do,” Gibson said. “I’m trying to build bridges and I’m trying to build a community and bring moderates together. I’m so sick of the extremists trying to pull us apart. I’m done with it, the left and the right.”
After a public safety review, Muldoon said a final call on a permit will come within the next seven business days, with an announced
decision shortly after. That could mean a yes- or-no ruling could come at any time up to Aug. 25, a day before the scheduled rally.
“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,” the statement read. “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.”
Muldoon alluded to guidelines and authorities that influence the park service’s decision on issuing a permit to the group.
“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.”
Members of the public who wish to comment can email goga_ 1st_ amendment@nps.gov or call 415561-2822, but the park service said those who reach out should not expect a response due to high volumes.